Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Working Small: Two by Two

I love working on a small scale. A perfect example of that is the original journal I made for my 52 Card Pickup workshop.


Made from a standard deck of playing cards measuring 3.5 x 2.5 inches, this little project is filled with a whole lot.


I recently came across a book I made for my retreat last year in Taos, New Mexico. At 2 x 2 inches, this book makes the deck of cards seem large.


I do not find working on such a small surface limiting at all. Instead, I feel like a whole universe can be created on each tiny space.







How about you? Do you like working small? Large? Both?

15 comments:

Miss Iowa said...

I love to work small, too! One of favorite sizes is the "moo" (1.1 x 2.75). I draw the line at inchies, though. lol

Helen said...

I struggle small,but love the cards and the book.. beautiful!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

The cards and the book are awesome, Seth!

Redanne said...

I do struggle to work in such a small space but I love to do it!! Both your journal and your mini book are incredible Seth, you really are a tremendously inspirational artist! x

Sisterhood of the Muse said...

These are fantastic! I love working small...and usually do. I recently worked on playing cards as well. I keep mine in a binder. LOVED seing the work!! :-)

john said...

TOTALLY AWESOME, each and everyone of your pieces shown here. I am keep looking and looking at each one! Just great! :-)

CeCe said...

I just finished a small scroll that measures 2 1/2-inches by 24-inches. I loved working on it. Small world indeed.

Deb said...

Fabulous projects Seth! I do love making ATC's and have made a couple of teeny origami books in the past, they can be challenging working on such small projects but strangely satisfying at the same time! Deb xo

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

LOVE that little book.

Unknown said...

great tiny works :)
I like to work 'medium small" otherwise I can not see what I am doing. Loved to work very small f.1 making books for dollhouses 1:12.

Robert said...

Love this post! Most of my work tends to be relatively small and I am frequently asked if I ever work larger. And I do on occasion. But I love mixed media on a small scale. Your 52 Card Pickup deck is wonderful and your 2 x 2 book for your Taos workshop is absolutely delightful. To be able to work at that scale and incorporate so many amazing details makes the viewer want to observe that much more closely. This is exactly what I felt when I went to a Joseph Cornell retrospective several years ago. I spent the whole day in the galleries with his boxes because I didn't want to miss anything. And, I kept returning to those pieces that especially 'spoke' to me because I wanted to memorize every last detail. I like to think of artwork on a small scale as VISUAL POETRY.

Karen said...

Wow those are very cool. I already love your 52 card pick up idea. That little book looks really fun. I enjoy working on 8x11 but have been doing art cards lately and am having fun on the smaller surfaces. Maybe less is more!

Unknown said...

I've created very large quilt art commissions, and all I can say is that they are a "bear" to do. I LOVE small, maybe because I AM a small person 4' 11". It's so relaxing to be creating small works which could be constructed into larger works. The small concept is what I've been working towards for ages. Your" voice " can say the same message, small/and/or large. Intimacy is my voice.
cheers,,,Lynne Sward

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

The detailing in your 2x2 Book is fabulous Seth. It makes every element important. Sometimes I work small depends on my inspiration.

A Pink said...

Just love your 52 card pick up journal . Such a great concept and brilliant execution - all that detail on each and every small space of card , Wow!
The same has to be said abut your fabulous mini book too. Detail and interest from cover to cover .
Two inspirational projects for someone like me who often struggles creating on a small scale.
Thanks Seth for sharing x