Friday 24 October 2014

Book Page Poetry: An Experiment

Hello Friends,

Today, I'm sharing my first attempt at book page poetry.  I love using book paper in my art journals. I usually collage them into backgrounds like this.

Art Journal Layering class

I also use them with my Gelli Plate, as you may have noticed in last week's post.

I wanted to do something different with book pages so I tried book page poetry. The art of making poetry by using only the words you find on a page from a book. I've been using Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms.

First, I created an abstract background.

Oct 24_Pic 1

I started with Dina Wakley Mixed Media Heavy Body Paints. I applied Blackberry Violet, Sky an Turquoise and Ruby with a palette knife.

Oct 24_Pic 3

Then I stamped all over the page with the Tim Holtz Mixed Media stamp set. Just because.

Oct 24_Pic 5

Then I added some scribbles a la Jane Davies.

Oct 24_pic 2

Then I added my words. It was fun but not easy to make something that made sense.  I cut phrases and words that spoke to me and then tried to put them together in a way that felt right to me.

Oct 24_Pic 6

As always, my perfectionist self wanted to find the perfect words. I'm not sure I did but I'm pushing back against the expectation of perfection on the first try. After all, this is an experiment. Trying something new is usually uncomfortable. The more often we try new things, the more comfortable we become with that uncomfortable feeling, right?

So, have you tried book page poetry? Do you have any tips, tricks or ideas to share? Do you have a favorite book page poet? If yes, please leave a note in the comments. I'm looking for ideas and inspiration and would appreciate your help.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Cathie



8 comments:

  1. Cathie, this may be a dupe comment but it didn't show up even as a "publish after approval" - I haven't tried book page poetry though I use book pages constantly. I love the colors, and I love the poetry. I think I'll have to try it myself

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to comment twice, Lin! I hope you do try book poetry. It's fun and challenging all it once.

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  2. I love the geometric background and the colors. Using the poetry in segments like that is really eye catching and mind catching too. Made me think- and that is good.

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    1. Thanks, Erika. I like breaking up the words, like that. It's one of the advantages of writing poetry on an art journal page.

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  3. Love all the interest in the background. This 'found poetry' is quite fun to do. I think yours works really well.

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  4. Cool page - so fun to try something new. I use found words often in my art journaling and making cards - my favourite books to cut up are large print romances bought at a library book sale - they have great words ;-) Hope my posts using found words inspire you : http://lynettecollis.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/Found%20words

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    1. Thanks, Lynette. I will definitely check out your blogs and book page poetry.

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