Artful Maundy Monday Oct. 12

The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.

--Michelangelo

I hope, as Christian artists do, that my work will somehow glorify God, and not always in the obvious ways. We strive for our works to speak to His essence, to His Spirit, even if it is not a "Christian" piece. If you allow God to work with you in your studio, His will be evident in some way in the finished product. And we will be changed as well, as we listen to His voice.

As Michelangelo may well have referred to the "divine perfection" of his subject, God as Creator of all still is the light source. He still receives the glory for His creation, whether the artist knows it or not. Beauty is God and displaying beauty in your art will always please Him, even if no one else ever sees it.

This is the first of a new post series on faith and art. Please feel free to comment and start a [respectful] discussion about Protestant Christian faith and art.

Book of the month: accordion fold

An accordion book is my first "book of the month" offering. It is a simple, simple, simple book that almost anyone can make. If you can fold a paper and glue it, you can make this book. Here is a little tutorial on the basic accordion fold book.

accordion fold book tutorial

From these instructions you can make any variety of accordion books. For the rest of the month I'll explain more about this construction, offer lots of examples and show ones I've made as well.

handy homekeeping books

I made three little books yesterday. Three helpful little books. They are not my usual type (these are comb-bound) but they are really handy.Lady Lydia had a great idea that I had to try. These books are little homekeeping books. They are a simple type of planner. What I am so crazy about is:

• the comb binding (my left handedness loves that it opens flat for writing)


• the cute papers (I am very visual)


• the blank pages just begging for doodling and other artwork each day


• the customization


• the small size (5X7)
• it used materials I have on hand, so they didn't cost another dime


• my ability to change papers out as I need to


• the laminated covers and dividers should wear well

Here's a look at my little tabbed pages. I eyeballed and cut out the tabs and labeled them with a Sharpie after they were laminated so I could change the topics if I wanted. Right now they are Prayer, Home, School and Etc.

Now I can start each day with a clean slate, er, paper. I can make notes, circle things, make notes of all kinds so I don't forget things (maybe). So you may ask why I don't just use something electronic. I have a PDA. This makes me happy, the PDA does not. I also have a big paper planner. It is too bulky for my diaper bag (which doubles as my purse). This little book keeps all my thoughts and notes in one handy place. And hey, look at the title of this blog. I'm a little bit into making books.

And my girls chose the papers for their own little books. They are so different! And I added some ribbons to the spines as well.

The idea is that they will have a place for scheduling their day, keeping notes of all kinds and generally developing skills for caring for home and family. Who doesn't need a lovely little book for keeping notes and memories in?

food for (book) thought

Every year around April Fool's Day there is a little known but hilarious event known as Books 2 Eat. It is a chance for book artists everywhere to create completely edible works, and the creativity is amazing. See the photos from past years below. The ideas the artists come up with are ingenious. I hope you'll consider hosting a Books 2 Eat event next year in your area. It's a wonderful way to meet other local artists--and eat some yummy books!

Books 2 Eat

What is an artist book?

There is an amazing art form that is taking hold of the art world. It is known as artist books. I can't say enough good things about them. In their highest form they are the best combination of content, structure and materials the artist can create. They are not just books, they are 3 dimensional art. Here are some links to offer more detailed explanations:

• Wikipedia


• Angela Lorenz
• Otis has this great definition:

Artists' books are exceptionally varied and creative by their very nature. The complex medium employs the book, in any of its various guises (scroll, codex, fold-out or single sheet boxed, to name but a few forms of books) as an original work of art. They usually integrate the formal means of conception and production with aesthetic or thematic aspects. Artists' books are considered unique works of art in one-of-a-kind or small edition multiples. Some now are mass produced. The variety of its form makes the artist book difficult to define. The twentieth century witnessed particularly varied and creative experimentation with artists' books culminating with an expansion of the medium in the '60 and '70s. California became a center of production.

Today artist books are everywhere. I look forward to sharing tons more about artist books, including featuring my favorites, in the future.