my book of hopes and dreams, 8×8 inches
In a previous post I mentioned the group show that I will be participating this coming up February at Fifth Avenue Art Gallery. Each artist was sent an 8×8 inch book to fill with paintings, drawings, collage, whatever. I decided to treat my book as a visual journal.
The size of the book reminded me of those black and white composition books that I used when I was little. I actually have one from back in the day that I used as a diary. And being a diary of a young girl, it was filled with a lot of angst as well as my hopes and dreams. So I wanted to recreate that composition book feel and painted the cover black. As I worked on my book, and filled it with collage and paint, the pages really started to bow out like crazy. Lucky for me I have a book press. But even so, I decided to add the button and ribbon to keep it closed. Also reminiscent of a young girl’s diary and paranoia of peering eyes and the desire to keep the contents secret.
spread 1
I included some quotes about hope:
“Hope is the dream of a soul awake”
~ a French Proverb
And some words from Emily Dickinson around the bird:
“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words and never stops at all”
I still need to scan in the rest of the pages for my records and hopefully I will be able to post them here. If not, they will at least make it over to my flickr page.
This is luscious! I can’t wait to see the rest of it!!!
thanks dawn!
this is exactly what I needed to see this morning! was thinking of not going into the studio today, but your work inspired me! thanks….
This is very smart, Bridgette. I like the way you’ve thought it out and your results are very effective. I also like that you’re not mocking that young girl which most people do when looking back.
That’s a beautiful quote, by the way. I’m going to try to find it in French.
I love the cover to this book – the black with the bits of red…. and the red button to tie it all in. Can’t wait to see all the other pages!
Black and White with a touch of red is my favorite color combination…not in my paintings but in my life!
This book bursting with hopes and dreams is intriging…I look forward to seeing the rest of it here or on flickr.
Beth
ps…did you get my email?
Absolutely gorgeous and inspiring!
I agree with what everybody has said – just beautiful and so inspiring.
yowza! Your book will put all others to shame I suspect! I’m calling dibs!
I am so excited! It looks wonderful…I can’t wait to see it Bridgette.
Very soulful work. Good luck with the show !!
Happy holidays –
Shelly
Oh Bridgette, so very fabulous! I just love the scratched texture of the title. Thebook looks so very good. I bet it’d be wonderful to see in person!
Oh, I wish I could see this book up close. It looks so rich and lush.
I too want to sit and look through it. I just love it!
I have come here a couple of times & looked at your little book. I was mesmerized by the title immediately. Each time I’ve come back to read a bit, I’ve been interrupted. Not today. Today I see it & am just amazed. This is just wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Wonderful. I cannot wait to see the rest of it.
Thank you!
🙂 Debi
This cover is so inviting. I just want to open the book and dive in. I really like the handwritten touch too.
I can’t tell you how much I love this book, Bridgette. OMGosh!!
I looove it!
well done