I am in that happy place today. Amazon delivered not one, not two, but three good books for me to add to my ever growing inspiration and instruction library. I have asked this before, but really, how many books can the second floor hold before all comes tumbling down? When I lived in CA I was an assistant librarian, librarian-in-charge of a LA County book mobile and a circulation librarian. In CT, I was a serials librarian for the city and historical librarian for the Historical Society. Also I worked a stint in the Netherlands as a librarian for the very small American Library. I tell you this because I had a deep respect for free lending libraries and saw no need to own a lot of books. After all, they were all there to borrow whenever I needed them. I still respect free public libraries and use them, BUT my own library overflows and grows each year. I have to own these books. They need to be within reach when I need inspiration or instruction. Every time I look at one of them I see something new.
The first in the box was the sequel to Where Women Create (the original book) by Jo Packham and Jenny Doh. Oh, what a lavish collection of glimpses into the studios of female artists. Although the book discusses with each artist organization and creativity, it is the photos of their stash of supplies that had me at page one. I loved seeing their stuff and their artwork. I will look at this book again and again.
The second book was Linda and Opie O'Brien's latest book: Who's Your DaDa?" The book is divided into several sections. The first is about supplies and techniques to instruct which is well done. The second section is full of projects and variations on those projects. There is an impressive gallery of wonderful artist's interpretations of "DaDa". I really liked their first book and I like this one every bit as much. Linda and Opie will be teaching here in Avon Lake OH at the Small Studio Workshop Series. Their weekend is September 10-12. There are openings in both workshops that weekend.
The third book I received today is Michael deMeng's "Dusty Diablos". Love this book. It is chock full of Michael's very recognizable assemblage art. His art is so full of odd details, that to look at a single piece for a very long time still would not reveal all. His step-by-step instructional processes are great in this book. Add to all the above his humorous insights and comments and you can't help but love this book and want to take one of his workshops. Sign up for his classes at Small Studio. He will be here June 11-13 and there are still openings.
It was a good mail today too. I received a bunch more registrations for the workshops. One even arrived in this great envelope made from a file folder and highly collaged. It went right up on my bulletin board. Thank you, Jolene Ziegler!
New items were added to my Etsy shop this morning.
I have the "Dusty Diablos" book and it is wonderful. I am looking forward to the workshop in June.
Posted by: jane | Tuesday, 30 March 2010 at 09:51 PM