An Object Found

I am happy to announce that my handmade artist book, An Object Found, will be featured as part of the 36th Annual Printmaking Center of NJ Member Exhibition. The exhibition runs from June 11 to August 20. This book will also be exhibited at the New Jersey City University Gallery from September 15 to October 26. 

An Object Found was created for and featured in Pam Carriker's book Art at the Speed of Life. An image of the cover was included in her book but the inside pages are being shown for the first time.

a sudden shower

raining down

a surge of power

an object found

 painter's palette

splattered stains

filled with rhythm

endless chains

An Object Found is also being featured on Top Artists' Directory, where I am Artist of the Week as of June 6th. Thanks Kim!

Available for purchase. Please send email to shap97@gmail.com for additional information.

Passages

Time stands still for not a soul

Moons will rise come what may

Hold on tight to all that matters

Don't let fear get in the way.

Remember those who came before you

And walked the path that you now face

Let their footsteps guide you forward

Feel their strength and all their grace.

Step by step you'll find the courage

Even when life doesn't rhyme

Take a leap and face the future

Passages to a better time.



Passages

Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy.

Sense of Wonder

I always appreciate when I receive feedback that something I have made has inspired others. My artwork is nearly always visual in nature. But occasionally I feel the need to express myself in verse rather than through images. The following poem, which has been previously posted on my blog, has provided an instance where my inspiration has been paid forward:

After The Storm

When the thunder ends and the rain stops falling

When the sea is calm and the birds start calling

The clouds will part like a curtain drawing

Promise of an open door

When the air is clear and the wind stops blowing

The sun reappears and the earth starts glowing

A light so strong as if all knowing

Sense of wonder to explore

In that window, in that time

A clearing of a cluttered mind

A ray of hope, it all takes form

In that moment, after the storm

When this poem was first posted, it inspired this companion poem by Jill Zaheer from JazWorks:

It took me on a journey

Which I read to be my own

Visually traveling to another place, another time

Yet in my own home.

The picture was a visual visceral rendering

Of the traveling of my soul.

It was mesmerizing, calming, captivating,

Transporting me, transforming me,

Making me whole.

Within that magical moment described,

After the Storm imparts a miraculous, new ability to see,

After the Storm ...........

Is now a special part of me.

And more recently, it inspired JoAnna Pierotti from Moss Hill Studio to create this beautiful artwork:

If you know Jo and her husband Ron's story, you will understand why this meant a lot to me. Click here to read Jo's post about this piece. While Jo initially gave this to Ron, she ultimately and generously decided to send it to me instead. She assured me that Ron did not mind at all.

So thank you Jill and Jo, for what you each created has inspired me in return!

Melt

as darkness falls

the ache is felt

a one way road

as dreams do melt

detail:

Ingredients: vintage book page, book board, acrylic paint, coffee grounds, calligraphy ink, watercolor marker, color pencil, leafing pen, dry transfer, found metal. approximately 4 5/8" x 3 1/8".

Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy.

Sold. Thank you!

By the Seaside, Musing

The Inner Works reveal continues. You can see the first two posts here and here.

Today I begin a series of posts showing the pages I completed in the other artists' books. The approach I used for each was based on the book's theme, as well as the style and feel of the pages that were already completed when I received each book. I also decided to try to use this project as a way of stretching myself, so I chose to create pages that I felt were stylistically different for each book. As always, click each pic to enlarge.

Rita Vindedzis - Gifts from the Sea





The ocean speaks in shades of blue.
Distant. Constant. Ever true.
Horizon line is now in view.
The full moon shouts "I am too."

Open your eyes. You need to see.
The boundless waves. The energy.
Waste not. Want not. Try to be.
For all to share. Gifts from the sea.

Solstice Moments

silver stars shimmer

lighting the crowning glory

enveloped in peace

the ease of the trees

holding the weight of the world

balanced with beauty

a sense of wonder

blankets the surface of all

look toward the new day

On the Other Hand

Handbook: journey on...


A glimpse of me, sheathed in armor
Lock or key, take your choice.
An offer made is now rescinded
Break the silence, hear my voice.


Fragments of a dream you once had
Lost my bearings, such is life.
A deep regret comes to the surface
A shattered conscience pierced by strife.


In an instant, endings happen
No guarantee, you understand.
What's left is right, there's nothing to it
You find yourself on the other hand.

Mountain Views

Mountain Crossing...
On top of the world
An unending future
A promise unfurled.

Mountain Crossing...
A ladder of clouds
A dream for the taking
Erase all the shrouds.

Mountain Crossing...
Catch that which you seek
Anointed, appointed
You've now reached the peak.

Mountain Crossing. Available for purchase in my Etsy shop until listing expires on November 3.

Song of the Senses

I think each of us has but one heart, one soul, and one truth. An inner light that can melt the snow and warm the night.



A fire to discover in the golden lights of the sun. And dreams that speak our gentle words in the noisy thoroughfares of our world.



In the pale white day hear the splendor of silence. In the luminous moonlight sing the song of the senses.

The first time...

the last time...

And evermore.







Ingredients: watercolor paper, altered paper, found paper, vintage book page, tissue paper, acrylic paint, wax pastels, pigment ink, dye ink, colored pencil, dry transfer. approximately 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" when closed. click to enlarge.

Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy.

Sold. Thank you!

Buried Treasure - Revisited

Digging for gold! Again! This post is my contribution to the second round of the Buried Treasure collaboration. Links to each and every participating artist can be found in the previous post on my blog.





It is all about layers. I wanted to Dig Deeper for my second Buried Treasure post. On the surface, my blog highlights my mixed media artwork. But if you look a little further, you will find posts spotlighting my photography, poetry, drawing, travel adventures, and the like. Look just a little bit deeper, and you will find posts about other artists, other blogs, and links I love. It is all about layers.



In my first Buried Treasure post, I focused on my mixed media artwork. In this "re=post" I have captured some of my favorite things from previous posts that focus on everything else! There are links to follow, videos to watch, and images to enlarge. Happy hunting!



Favorite Window:





Favorite Original Poem:



After the Storm



When the thunder ends and the rain stops falling

When the sea is calm and the birds start calling

The clouds will part like a curtain drawing

Promise of an open door



When the air is clear and the wind stops blowing

The sun reappears and the earth starts glowing

A light so strong as if all knowing

Sense of wonder to explore



In that window, in that time

A clearing of a cluttered mind

A ray of hope, it all takes form

In that moment, after the storm





Favorite Photography Series:



Coastal Waters

Shot in Tofino on Vancouver Island













Favorite Reflection: As Night Falls



Favorite Street Art:



Mixed media(!) graffiti from Greece





Favorite Interactive Zen Website: Wildcard



Click your mouse and move. My favorite is mistyline but be sure to try all five



Favorite Drawing:



Drawn in my course with Danny Gregory on the first day of class







Favorite You Tube Video:

Bouncy Balls - all real, no special effects







Favorite Book Project - no binding necessary:



Book Bundles











Favorite Rust:

Details from the 2007 show at MoMA entitled Richard Serra Sculpture: 40 Years.

Thank you all for going on this treasure hunt with me!