GRITTY VS. PRETTY...

Generally when I invite you into my studio I like to have it company ready and rather pretty but the truth is most of the time it is on the gritty side like this...

Art making for me is messy business.  I may have two or even three things going at one time, like a fabric book page that is being embellished, an art kit being assembled, rubber stamping for another project, and a wire and bead project for yet another project all scrambled up together.  Eventually I do come out of my crafting daze, regain my senses, and realize what I have done.  I stop and clear away the evidence of my method of madness... 

And most of the time when I create art, much to my chagrin, I make pretty art.  By that I mean it is usually restrained, color coordinated, and leaning towards the cute side, which kind of makes me crazy!  This past week I have been focusing on a project that I hope is a little more rustic, darker, and gritty.  Remember those fabric pieces I dyed and messed up?  The one that looked like a microscope slide was perfect for what I had in mind so I ripped it down into little fabric pages...

 Remember all those rusty things I gathered to dye the fabric with?  They are also perfect for this project, many already transformed into page elements...

 And what is the project?  A mixed media fabric art book!  What inspired this process?  Seth Apter. (The Altered Page)  

He currently has an open call for mixed media artist to submit a 5in.x5in. piece of art to possibly be accepted as part of his book tour, gallery, or exhibit work.  These art pieces will be his to keep and select pieces will travel with him as he promotes his new book, The Pulse of Mixed Media.  They will also be featured on his blog. 

 Now, will I actually send this book to Seth?  More than likely not, the deadline is looming large at April 30, 2012 and I might not have time to finish the book like I think it needs to be for that type of submission. (You can find all the specific details HERE.)  

 But, the point is that it challenged me to think and stretch myself beyond my normal pretty to reach deep down and find the gritty, draw it out, and apply it to a piece of work...

 I have not been satisfied lately with what I have been making so I am setting off on a new path of discovery.  Never fear, there will still be pretty here, while I am waiting on things to dry with the gritty book, I am also making a pretty book...

 Remember one of the other pieces of fabric I messed up and said it looked like birch bark?  Well it does!  Check out these tree trunks...

 I actually made the majority of the mess you see above working on this one tiny 5in.x5in. piece!

One of the great things I learned while working on this challenge, even if I don't actually participate, is I really enjoy working small scale, who knew?

I've got more grit to grind!

Hope you are all enjoying a pretty day!