Saturday, October 31, 2009

Second Hand


Hands down, this is one of my most favorite book projects to date...


With each page completed, I have become more and more intrigued with adding objects to book pages. Call it assemblook, perhaps...


With every new object, more and more depth is added...


And with every new page, I am learning new ways to work with and combine wood, metal, fabric and paper...


Handbook. The story continues...


59 comments:

lyle baxter said...

I love it. I'd like to get my hands on it! and I'd like to know how you fasten some of those things on to your page without damaging the page behind or the flip side?? lyle

Kelly Kilmer said...

Seth, I LOVE this book.

theresa martin said...

This is awesome!

nancy neva gagliano said...

talk about intricacies!!
and
perfect offerings!!

MrCachet said...

The old marbled end papers... really like it, Seth. It lends an air of vintage to the AssembookLook. ;o)

Curio said...

Love the whole book...Amazing work!

Leslie Avon Miller said...

Clearly, more IS more. I bet you have really been engaged with this piece Seth. Well done. I too, would love to see this one in person.

Bea said...

Layers, layers and more layers, I just love this book. :)Bea

Lisa said...

truly a masterpiece. the layers and textures are out of this world fabulous!

femminismo said...

The book is wondrous. Yes, adding layers and layers is tremendous fun and it all looks good - eventually you just can't pass up any sort of piece of trash. Who knows? It might fit into your next "assembook."

Jill Zaheer said...

What a masterful book that is being built before our eyes. Love all of the added adornments- especially the heart! The book looks more inviting every time you show it. Second hand-handbook - it's all my favorite book! Just super!

mermama said...

seth--this book is too much--i am sitting here with my hands clasped, eyes closed and "wish i might" that i could hold your wonderful creation for at least a moment in time--congratulations sam aka sheila sabatino

Judy said...

Looking good, no, looking great.

Lawendula said...

Wow, this makes me wish to fly over and take it into my hands. It's gorgeous!
A beautiful piece of work.
Btw: My daughter was lucky in Denmark, she collected so many rusty things. Harbours are great place to find things. And as I looked at all her gatherings, I thought of you!
Greetings!

Anonymous said...

This is stimulating and awe-inspiring and so three-dimensional/textural. I LOVE IT ! But may I ask if you have to deconstruct the book first to take the depth of embellishments? How do you stop the spine from splitting?

viv said...

mmm looking fab seth..

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

This book is bold and beautiful. It's a treasure chest of layered goodies and an inspiration to the rest of us!

Luthien Thye said...

oh my stars!! another awesome piece of mastery!! does your creativity never cease?? out of curiosity ... what do you do with all your work? do you just keep them?

Debrina said...

This is just simply stunning Seth. You're at the height of your artistic powers! I hope you keep this book (it's just so special) but exhibit it everywhere!
Of course, who am I to tell you what to do with your art! Lol!

Jo Archer said...

When I see your work Seth, I realise why my stuff looks a bit mediocre sometimes; I don't follow through with tiny details, as I'm always in a rush to get things finished. Your attention to detail and brilliant ideas are what set you above the rest.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm so in awe of your Hand book. It just shows what metal, wood, and paper can achieve, versus paper alone. This book is coming along so handily. Hands down, the heart is my favorite so far.

Lost Aussie said...

An awesome piece of work Seth. You can truly be proud of this.

Gillian McMurray said...

I love it. The central embellishment with the heart and bottles is beautiful and doesn't the rust just make it all pop. Yummy!

The Weaver of Grass said...

I would love to see it "in the flesh" so to speak, Seth - pity it can't make a journey round the world.

Caterina Giglio said...

guess you will have to have a "book tour" so we can all touch it and appreciate the beauty. it is just stunning!

Julie Prichard said...

A masterpiece for sure, Seth!

Nettie Edwards said...

Beautiful work Seth. I wish I could see and touch it for real. sorry to have been away for awhile. Finding life challenging at the moment x

Ange said...

What an adventure! I am incorporating metal on my wooden planks and it's not always easy. You are a real inspiration to me. I have nearly finished your survey - just missing the photos and will send. Sorry I'm a bit late. Ange

Anonymous said...

oooh, i am soo loving this, seth! your hands are so magnificent and each page tells such a detailed and beautiful story. next time i'm in NY (which will be my first time there), i'm going to beg you to let me see that book in person. i'll buy you lunch in trade for a peek in person. just love it!

Mary S. Hunt said...

i am sure by comment 27 i have nothing to add different than the 26 before me
this is an incredible piece of work seth
i enjoy watching it grow!

Patti Edmon Artist said...

This is completely amazing! I took a workshop with Michael deMeng a year and a half ago, and we only had a day but I got a tiny taste! We opened the books and glued the pages and carved most of the paper away, making room for lots of cool found stuff. Nowhere near as complex and extraordinary as this - the layers and detail - absolutely fabulous!
I think I'll come with Alicia... :)

Kelly Jeanette Swift said...

So neat, watching the creation of this book. Good thing I don't live near you. I might have to take up cat burglary.

Lynn Cohen said...

sometimes I put off coming to check your blog
sometimes I can't handle the intimidation
sometimes I want and need the inspiration
sometimes I just can't stand feeling that much awe
sometimes I just want to save the best for the last

Hugs from me

Unknown said...

Color me green with envy! Your book is a sculptural masterpiece! I would love to learn this process. (Didn't you say on one of your posts that teaching was one of your goals? I'm so ready! Come to Colorado!)

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

Your journey continues its revelations...intimate hand touched layers that hold the secret to our humanity. The aged elements add prayerful anointing of this ever growing handbook filled with your dreams and aspirations.The design elements in papers specifically selected, the worn wooden intricacies and the strength of the metal unite to express in a very effective voice your quest for authenticity. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

.Trudi Sissons said...

Wow Seth, your latest page is inspiring - intricate and each element so mindfully placed.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic creation, Seth. Love the addition of metal to paper - the possibilities are endless.

ArtPropelled said...

I'm relishing all the details. So glad you are having so much fun, Seth. It's infectious.

*jean* said...

amazing work, seth!

donna joy said...

fabulous piece so far!

mansuetude said...

that roof ridge of rust, almost like snow or icing on old gingerbread houses

such a beautiful paradox!

d.tennison said...

this is just awesome.
i LOVE that heart.

Erin Perry said...

Absolutely stunning!
Erin in Morro Bay

deb said...

looks fabulous, of course! love it!!

lynne h said...

whoa, seth! i can see why!! and what a perfect use for one of tony and lisas' hearts...

Kim Palmer said...

I can see why this is your fav book construction Seth. Great execution and ideas. Love what you have done with the page with the rust and the heart with the book cover behind it too. Nice raised texture!

azirca said...

It appears that rather talented hands have created this book. Fantastic!

Margaret said...

Seth, whenever I visit your Blog I feel on the verge of a faint, this piece of work is breathtaking, suberb! M

ELK said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ELK said...

i think you have done such a special job photographing your work...so important to convey that beauty!

Whisperings 13 said...

i am speechless.

BT said...

Stunning work, Seth. I, like everyone else, just love this book and that dangly hand. Oh to touch it too.

Christine Clemmensen said...

This is absolutely amazing - I can see why it could be your favorite.
And you truely have a gift for finding those very special hands. I remember having stumbled across a little wooden one of yours too :-)
I love your work.So beautiful.

ooglebloops said...

That heart is perfect- as are your words in your posts!!!

Nikki Lee Anne Ghilain said...

OMG!!!!! I love it.....that heart is amazing.......your new work is scrumptious!

Heartfire Arts said...

Seth, what an awesome book!

Gaby Bee said...

What a stunning piece - so much to look at and I especially love the old metal inclusions. It's to die for! I would love to hold it in my hands and take in all the lil details...

cookievf said...

hey seth,
smokin' hot! I think we ALL wanted to jump into the pics and t.o.u.c.h. your book.

this takes your love of book n bits to ANOTHER level; an amazing transition.

The amount of detail/time/effort is clear ~ fabulous documentation photography. You touch my artist's heart each and every time.

- vicki

Joy Logan said...

wow love that book!