The Odyssey is a nod to the journey that every artist takes as he/she creates a new piece.
This started with a handmade book that I made several years ago and that was just sitting on a shelf, perhaps waiting for its turn to be embellished.
Part of my journey this past year has been my new role on the blog team at Spellbinders and I wanted that reflected in this book. Using a die from their A2 Curved Matting Basics B set and decorative paper, I cut out a shape just smaller than my book cover.
Loving texture as I do, I used the letter side of Spellbinders Numbers and Letters M-Bossabilities Folder to deeply emboss the paper.
I next rubbed the surface of the paper with metallic gold pigment ink to add more contrast and to make the depth of the embossed letters stand out.
I tore some found paper and adhered it to the embossed letters.
My art is rarely without metal and I dug through my stash, first to add this piece that I got in Vancouver over 10 years ago...
...and then to add three small pieces of stacked metal for more dimension.
For added interest and texture I then added to the edges of the paper some frayed fabric...
....some inked vintage paper...
...and finally a bit of (very) rusty, found metal.
I headed back to my Spellbinders collection and cut a piece of hand painted paper using a die from their A2 Distressed Edges set. I added some ink for dimension and adhered some ancient text from a very old book that I got at a flea market in NYC.
One last element from Spellbinders. I used the same hand painted paper and a die from their Creative Page Tabs set to create a tab, to which I added some ink and a rub on.
And then I went to mixed media heaven, adding found rusty metal objects, a vintage key, altered paper, and other embellishments. I continued until I felt my journey was complete. My souvenir from my travels in art was The Odyssey...
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Supply List
Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:
Other: handmade book, paper, metal embellishments metal snips, fabric bits, ink, adhesive
19 comments:
All that work and the bit I love most is the rusty paper clip with those tatty bits of paper!!!
The book looked great but you really brought it to life with the embellishments.
I was rereading the Pulse of Mixed Media last night, asking myself some questions and I realized what hinders me making altered books is the thought of filling them. Duh, I can just make blank books! lol And here you are with a stunning book with wonderful process details. I luv the bit of fabric! ;) Can't spend anymore time sighing, I need to go make a book! thanks!
Gorgeous. What I love the most is the pop of yellow.
That is awesome!
This is just fantastic! I'm getting more and more excited now for the classes at the Queen's Ink in November! I love the blackletter text you used and all that texture.
Beautiful step by step on how to create.
I love reading the comments. Each person, saw a different "favorite" thing.
Don't you just love that about the human race!
We each have our own "drawers" and "collections" of things that we love and would use, still, your instructions are universal! Thanks for sharing with us...Laura
Beautiful tutorial Seth. I love that even though you are doing specific projects for your design team, your personal voice shines through. This cover is so you. xox
GORGEOUS!! Now I see how you love to work with brown/rust colors and it's inspiring me to work with some rusty parts I've been saving from my collection for years. Thanks for the inspiration Seth!
PS: I haven't forgotten about your book, I've just been waiting for my sewing machine to be repaired to finish sewing it...
What a gift THEALTEREDPAGE.com is to us, Seth Apter!
Here, in ATLANTA, tis the season for outdoor arts&crafts festivals. Every weekend, we've gone to one and when I see an artist in MIXED MEDIA, I ask if they know about thealteredpage.com. So far, there haven't been any "Yesses" BUT, there has been consistent interest & curiosity so I make sure they jot it down on their biz card!
Yup! I'm an evangelist for the congregation that gathers at : thealteredpage.com!!
I am more and more fascinated by your work! I looked and looked at this and cannot decide what I like best about it, it is just fantastic! Love it!
ooo this is a stunning piece, I adore the bit if tatty frayed fabric just peeping out. Excellent attention to detail.
You have given life to yet another majestic piece of book-art.
Seth - you are so gifted as an artist - This is not the kind of art I make mostly because I don't have your vision for it. That is why I so appreciate you sharing your artful journey and sharing the "how" with us.
Hi Seth! Thank you for sharing the up-close details and pics of the process you used. It is a perfect mix for the cover of the old book! Great job!
You had me at ancient text and rusty pieces....hope to see some altered books in your Etsy shop. This is beautiful.
Thank you for the step by step this is a wonderful project down to the embellishments.
susan s
ohmygiddyaunt Seth - you never cease to inspire - artistically you take me places I would never dream of going - what an amazing person you are on so many levels!! {{{hugs}}}
Nice work and very interesting to read your process, Seth. For the first time I'm considering the idea of an embossing machine.
Coleen
an American in Ukraine
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