As summer begins for me I clean my studio and begin the huge job of tending to my gardens. I don't grow vegetables, just masses of perennials, spices, bushes and trees. I figure if I work a few hours every day, in between art projects that it will be done by the end of summer.
I have started to add more to my sidebar, you can see the pages in my hand-made book in "What calls from beyond" at the top of this page... and I wonder... what calls to you as well?
My biggest thrill this summer will be to go to an art workshop given by Nick Bantock at Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. It is July 28 and 29. Last time I talked with his wife she said that there still may be openings... If you are interested email me and I will give you more info. It was suggested that we read this book, "Urgent 2nd Class," by Nick Bantock.
Another book that I ordered at the same time as the Nick Bantock book is called, "Signs on the Wind," postcard collages by Lenore Tawney. Both of these books are filled with wondrous art and ideas.
I have been working hard , (and loving every minute), on my interpretation of Seth's altered book, "Distressed Elements" and have posted a new post on Inner Works about it. I'll save images of my work until my next post, because I am not quite finished...
On his website, The Altered Page, Seth showed us his "inspiration boards" and invited us to share ours ... Instead of an inspiration board though, I would like to show you my "inspiration shelves". They change with every new project or new gifts from nature or from friends. they are definitely filled with objects to be touched and held...
Below is a small accordion book I am working on... All the bird images are scanned photocopies that I enlarged or shrunk from my own work... There are layers of papers under the birds, and more layers of paints and glazes over them. These are all common birds of our area.
Here are some some sample pages...
Now I will share some more garden pictures... they seem very quiet to me...
quiet and calm and gentle... just what I need right now.
My son and I stayed home together today. He must have felt the need for calmness as well, because neither one of us wanted to answer the phone.
some pink lupins hide deep in a scattering of phlox...
a frog hides under a stool...
an old chair becomes visible after I pull grasses...
and this summer you can find me here...
hiding in my garden or in my studio
where I can look out and see my garden...
I wouldn't mind getting closer to those shelves....and a class with Nick Bantock would be sublime.
Posted by: Robyn | June 08, 2009 at 06:58 PM
thank you for the visual tour of your inspiration shelves! i love love love the bird book - so ethereal and symbolic of the delicateness of life and freedom and flight... hope your garden blooms big time and am looking forward to pics of it in stages:) peace, j
Posted by: Jennifer Mazzucco | June 08, 2009 at 07:38 PM
Your inspiration shelves are wonderful. I think we all have them as artist.
your garden is lovely.. It looks like a place to relax and create.
Katelen
Posted by: Katelen Tays | June 08, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I love the deepness of the inspiration shelves. And the birds....well....just fabulous.
Thanks for sharing your world with us. It is a beautiful world and so perfect for an artist's heart.
Posted by: Leanne | June 09, 2009 at 06:43 AM
Such a peaceful and beautiful post - I always feels calm after viewing your blog - Your artwork is evocative. The photo of the bird bath . . . very meditative.
Thanks.
Posted by: tami | June 09, 2009 at 07:40 AM
gardening and making art -- bliss!:):) I look forward to seeing photographs of your summer creations:)
I love the photo of the pool of water with the stones -- so serene. thank you:)
xo
Posted by: Susan Tuttle | June 09, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Roxanne,
I really enjoyed seeing your inspiration shelves. I would love to see the changes that you make to them with the changes of the seasons.
Your photos do reflect a very serene feeling. I could just sit in that chair and watch the birds! Beautiful.
Hugs,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | June 09, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Roxanne - this was a fabulous post - your shelves are just wonderful - the bird book is just lovely and as usual your photos knock me out :)
Posted by: Jeane | June 09, 2009 at 09:00 PM
A morning feast for my eyes! The garden photos are so lovely and I wish you well in having the time to "tend" your gardens. I love your shelves of "inspiration". I could go on and on and will return here for even deeper mining of this post! Happy Summer!
Posted by: mary ann | June 10, 2009 at 09:45 AM
This is so lovely. Your colors there are so vivid. I like your inspiration shelves. My cats would enjoy that!
I own one of Nick Bantock's books, "The Forgetting Room". I love his style of adding little bits of things like cards, notes, and envelopes on his pages. Kind of what inspired me ages ago.
You accordion book is gorgeous.
Posted by: katiejane | June 10, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Love your shelves! Thanks for visiting my blog!
Posted by: caterina giglio | June 10, 2009 at 06:07 PM
A class with Nick Bantock is on the top of my list too. I hope to get there next summer. This one has already seemed to slip away with family plans and outings. Lenore Tawny's book sits on one of my inspiration shelves. Thank you for sharing yours. I do envy your gardening skills and enthusiasm. I will be content with your lovely photographs. You have inspired me to document my peonies which are my only contribution to garden bliss.
Posted by: Kathleen Botsford | June 11, 2009 at 06:17 AM
you just gave me this sweet memory of a guy i knew in college; he kept in touch for years and years, hoping; he sent me little letters in the first two Griffin and Sabine books... ...
hmmm. thanks for the memory! enjoy your flowers, and your time off from school.
Posted by: mansuetude | June 11, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Thanks for the addition of your book, "What Calls from Beyond" to your sidebar and the glimpses of your accordion book. Your work is so warm, distinctive and wonderful to look at.
The Nick Bantock workshop will be a blast I'm sure. I've loved his work since the Griffin and Sabine books. British Columbia is always a favorite destination of mine too.
I enjoyed your inspiration shelves too, and your garden . . . My own garden is calling for my attention. There are pots of ferns and lavender waiting to be put into the ground. It's very satisfying work once I commit myself to the task.
Happy summer!
Posted by: Leslie M. | June 12, 2009 at 05:41 AM
The feeling I get from your shelves is the same as I get from your blog..such peace and serenity. The accordian book is just perfect. And what an incredible oppotunity to take a workshop with Nick Bantock!!
Posted by: Seth | June 12, 2009 at 07:50 PM
Your entries are always such a delight, full of all kinds of beauty, inspiration and things that make me drift blissfully off into a daydream.
I can't wait to hear about the Nick Bantock workshop, you lucky thing, what a superb event to look forward to.
Posted by: azirca | June 13, 2009 at 02:51 AM
I love your inspiration shelves! I am also feeling the need for a major studio cleanup. Even though it takes valuable time away from art making, it's always fun to unearth those forgotten, unfinished projects and art supplies that I forgot I had. Enjoy your gardening and thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Pat | June 14, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Roxanne,
all the albums on the sidebar are so very inspirational...thank you!!
your bird drawings are so lovely and the collages perfect.
Posted by: stephanie | June 15, 2009 at 03:48 PM
I love your shelve, they are a journal in themselves! Sorry I have not been visiting recently, I have been away in England and very busy. Coming back to your blog has been such a joy, you have posted so many wonderful things!!!
Posted by: Ann Christine Dennison | July 02, 2009 at 03:28 PM
There's so much to comment on but I'll make it short, I'm enjoying catching up and that image of your daughter in the flower, wow....hope you enjoy your new job path ....
Posted by: sandy | July 09, 2009 at 10:28 AM