ATC Santa

OH MY GOODNESS, 6,000+ hits on my blog. I can't believe it!  Time for a GIVEAWAY. Thank you everyone for tagging along with me.  Your encouragement keeps me going.  So, in the spirit of the season,  leave me a comment and you will be in the giveaway.  Cheers!

More Postage Stamp People

This is a lengthy post, lots of photos, so I warn you.  

Wanted to get the new postage stamp people posted.  And I have made some additions to the previously posted ones. 

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About two more to do.  Then it is the introduction and the acknowledgements.  I am waiting for my special guests to send their creations.  Don't want to give it away just yet.

My first postage stamp person

"I Am Bold with W. C. Fields"  This was my first postage stamp person.  Just before I went to sleep last night, out of the blue, I remembered that I had done this 5" x 7" collage for a Small Works Show that was held at the Dennos Museum in Traverse City in 2010.  It was purchased by, Paulo Gianturco,the famous photographer.  I was thrilled.  Someone had liked my quirky art.  So, to do a whole book of postage stamp people for my Sketchbook doesn't seem so strange now.  This image will be on the cover of my book.  The book goes to the Brooklyn Art Library in conjunction with the Art House Coop.  Check it out.  http://www.sketchbookproject.com 

Another one Done

As long as the snow keeps coming down, I am stuck at home.  No, problem since I can forget about everything when I'm working on art.  Another postage stamp person completed.  HOHOHO!

Gray-blue print

Gray/blue print

I wanted to show this print to give an example of a collagraph without any additions.  The photo picks up the blue tones, but really it is very gray.  This is a request from my friend Leslie who wondered what it would look like in gray.  Here it is L.

More Sketchbook

 

 

 

Paper that I scribbled, painted, splattered on

Cut up ready to use

Yes, I needed to get crackin, and I did.  Have been working on and off all day to complete or nearly complete the above pages.  It never fails, when I think I'm done with a page, I'll find something new to add to it.  That's the really fun part.  I made some new paper and cut it up ready for the pages I still needed to fill.  I want to try some new things, so stay tuned.

Sketchbook Project 2014

Sketchbook Project 2014

Title of Sketchbook:  Postage Stamp People

Learning to Dance

 

Zetti Ladies

Deadline for Sketchbook Project 2014 at the Brooklyn Art Library is January 14.  So, quess what is on my desk in the studio?  I'm busy working away at my postage stamp people.  The fun part is finding the bodies to go with the heads.  Sometimes I do a complete body change as with my zetti striped ladies.  They aren't finished yet... need some sparlking crowns and some wings.  The side papers are a quick treatment of stamping, painting, splattering, etc of a large sheet, then cutting it up the size I need.  I learned this from doing postcard exchanges.  This is a nice break from my other projects (solo art show booked for Jan. 2 and Christmas, of course).  Other Sketchbook peeps?  How are you coming? I'd love to hear from you.  More to come.

Collagraph plate and print

Collagraph , collage finished

 

Collagraph plate

Interested in collagraphs?  Perhaps these pictures will help you understand.  The bottom photo is of the collagraph plate created with cardboard cut outs glued to a stiff matte board then shellaced to keep all in place.  The plate was rubbed with oil paint and then the paint was wiped off.  The above print was pulled from a run through a printing press.  The neat think about printing on a press is that the paper is embossed.  Remember, you will get a reverse image.  The plate was run through twice with the second time adding tissue. I added tissue and painted paper on top of the printed image. I think the plate is cool and probably will mount it to be on display with the finished prints.  More about collagraphs next time.

Collagraph, collage with tissue

collagraph, collage with tissue

January will find Beth Bynum doing a solo show at the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City.  This show, "Humble Beginnings: Printmaking with Tissue, Cardboard, and Foamy",will consist of my collagraphs.  I started with the floral collagraphs that I created here in my studio using cardboard, relief print and collage.  The two pieces above are collagraphs I produced on a printing press.  They seemed rather blah and so I have spiced them up with tissue paper I squiggles on.  I also added painted tissue.  I enjoyed this new turn on the art adventure.  Always something new to learn and try. 



Zetti Postage Stamp People

Zetti postage stamp people.  You're right, I'm on a roll.  A few more pages and I am done with this section.  Got to use my washi tape and a bunch of stamps.  Fun, fun!

More Postage Stamp People

 

 

 

 

 

Back to work on my Sketchbook for JRAC.  Postage stamp people are a real gas.  The book is getting very full.  I may have to tear out some pages.  

"Meadow Birch"

"Meadow Birch"

20" x 20"

Collage on canvas

Trying for less complicated design and more vibrant colors.  Hmmm.  Not sure if I am finsihed.  Think I will put it aside for a do or two.



I'm happier.  Thank you Jo for your suggestion.  I used pastels to give some color variation.  Then I went back and painted the trees using white glaze. Since there is really no right or wrong answer to which one is better, here is what is.  I did discover that I love the color combination.  Sorry, my photo isn't the best.

"Windmill at Dawn"

Step 3

"Windmill at Dawn"

20" x 20"

Collage on canvas

 

OMG, you say!  What happened?  Look at the previous post.  What started out as an abstract cross has become a farm scene with a windmill.  I had to be true to myself... the cross thing just wasn't working.  I didn't like it and no amout of adding to it or subtracting made a difference  It did make an interesting under embellishment.  Thank goodness for white paint.  I used my original painted paper and the black on white squiggle lines I drew on white tissue paper.  Not quite as abstract as I have been trying for, but way more to my liking.  That windmill picture was on my last creation and I tore it off because I didn't like it there.  It has now found a home.  I may have to do something about the little bubhble wrap flower looking thing in the upper right hand corner.  I signed my name which says "I'm done".  Basically, Bethie is "happy".







Abstract cross process

 

Step 1

 

Step 2

 

20" x 20"

Collage on canvas, painted paper, tissue, inside of envelope

Sometimes I have to take a picture of my work to see what it really looks like.  I can see areas that need pattern.  I can see areas that don't connect.  And do I really like that buff washed out color?  Maybe I'll cover it up and let the squiggles and rectangles become a part of the background.  Looks like I have a ways to go. Changing something is the good thing about doing collage.  Nothing is wrong, it just isn't hitting me "happy".   You can follow along while I try to figure it out.

"Blue Solitude"

"Blue Solitude"

16" x 20"

Collage on canvas

"Blue Solitude" is made from tissue paper, a book cover, and parts of a napkin.  The orange is part of an enveloped sent to me some time ago by my friend Tammy in Cal.  ( You know I reuse everything)  I've also been experimenting with pastels.  I really like the way they lighten, smudge, and can fill in gaps.  Next up, a painted tissue paper collage.



More postage stamp people

DoDo Bird with Johnny Cash

New heads for Alice

Dapper man with lady

Back at the postage stamp people/things.  I'm still working in my Jordan River Sketchbook.  It is a great way to try out color and compostion on a small scale.  I also had a chance to remake the ladies white dress. 

But, here's the problem, I'm running out of people postage stamps.  I've used a number from my vintage stamp collection, but they don't always fit. 

Anyone out there have people postage stamps that are just laying around waiting for a creative home?   

"Winter Shoreline" Gaylord Show

"Winter Shoreline"

20" x 20"

Collage on Canvas

Off on a new tangent, a new color scheme.   Still Wabi Sabi inspired.   The rocks magically appeared.  Here is my attempt at haiku in response:

       Winter snow

shoreline rocks shiver

a lovely blue sky

 

It all happened when I inherited some gray paper from my husband's old scrapbook.  And I found some great blue paper napkins.  That's my formula for a new creation. And, I should add that I have accumulatied white tissue from some recent purchases.  Tissue paper...I'll admit that when I go into a store, I check out the tissue paper they wrap the purchase in.  If I like the tissue paper, I will probably buy something.   Anyone else do that?  

 

 I'm getting ready to enter this new work in a Winter theme show in Gaylord.  "Raven Blizzard" and "Two Degrees Below Zero"  are also going to this show. 

"Raven Blizzard"

12" x 12"

Mixed-media

"Two Below Zero"

12" x 12"

Mixed-media

Watch for more blue.  I'm hoping to inherit more paper.  Or maybe I'll have to make some blue paper of my own.

 





Postage Stamp Dog/Twins

Need a little nonsense in my life and yours.  This dog ballerina fit the bill.  I just couldn't resist.  I continue to work in my sketchbook for the Jordan River Art Center event coming up in the new year.

Twins?  I used the front of a pattern for this postage stamp entry. 

"Late in Autumn"

" Late in Autumn "

20" x28"

Working, working.  Getting ready for my show at the City Opera House in Traverse City, November 2- November 29.  Reception November 14, 5pm-7pm.  This piece is collage on canvas...vintage paper, tissue paper, stamping, layer upon layer.  My goal is to simplify.  I was inspired by this haiku:

      turn this way!

      I too feel lonely

      late in autumn

          -Matsuo Basho

 

 

Postage Stamp People for JRAC Sketchbook

Power Lifter

 

KIng Tut's Chariot

 

 Seek Balance

Jordan River Art Center in East Jordan, MI,  has sponsored a Sketchbook Project similar to Brooklyn Art Library.  One section in my sketchbook is devoted to Postage Stamp people.  I must say, I am getting better at it.  Finding the right size body for the head is definitely a problem.  Creating the "add to" is my kind of fun.  I've taken some visual lessons and inspiration from Jo Murray in Australia http://jomurray-art.blogspot.com/2013/09/easing-back-inwith-atcs.html and Bockel 24 in Germany  http://bockel24.blogspot.com/2009/04/postage-people-alert.html Thank you to these ladies. 

Autumn Orchard

"Autumn Orchard"

11" x 14"

on acrylic box frame

Getting ready for my upcoming show at the City Opera House in Traverse City.  This piece is wabi sabi inspired.  I continue using tissue, dressmaker's pattern tissue, and all sorts of paper.  Somehow this piece seems a little haunting, although that isn't what I meant.  However, have you ever gone past an old orchard?  I guess that was the feeling I was going for.

Small Works at Riverside Gallery

Summer Melody  11" x 12"

Fishcake 12" x 12"

Something Fishy 12" x 12"
My work is now on display at the Riverside Gallery in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  All art must be 12" or less on all sides including the frame.   Little things come in small packages, so they say.  Check it out!