what dreams are made of...

as i walked through the fields,

seeing shadows illuminated by the brightness of the nearly full moon,

i saw, 

as if for the first time, 

the edges of the wheat spires blending seamlessly 

into the darkness of the late evening sky.

i thought to myself,

this is what dreams are made of...

Featuring: The Gift

There is a new kid in town. Born on April 20th, it is 75 pages long, and measures 8 1/4" x 11 3/4". It is the new magazine Featuring: Art Journaling, Mixed Media & More... and you can watch the birth here or preview the pages here. Featuring is a dream come true for Marit Barentsen, the artist and blogger from the Netherlands who has put together a gorgeous, informative, and inspiring Issue #1.

The physical quality of this magazine (large size, glossy pages, professional layout) is special and it is filled with fascinating features, including a themed art gallery, the results of a survey about Etsy, artist and museum profiles, artist interviews, drawing and journaling techniques, a studio tour, and so much more. You can learn more about and purchase Featuring here. And learn how you can submit to Issue #2 here.

I am also happy to report that an altered book collaboration that I completed with Jill Zaheer can also be found on the pages of this inaugural issue. Called The Gift, Jill and I collaborated to create two books, each of which was filled with art that was inspired by original poetry.

Poetry by Seth Apter/Art by Jill Zaheer

The Gifts

Horizon's edge just out of reach

a lesson learned, a thought unleashed

these are the gifts placed here for us

these are the times we've both come to trust

Objects found and sometimes lost

our souls defined but at such a cost

these are the gifts, they appear, they arrive

this is the engine that keeps us alive

Training wheels, sometimes attached

making deals when ideas are hatched

such are the gifts that we have deep inside

ready to give, though tempted to hide

with generous hues, the depth we confide

thank you for coming along for the ride

Let Nature Appear

Many moons ago, Sarah Whitmire and I embarked on a collaborative art project based on the theme of nature. We both created our own handmade and handbound books, which we traded back and forth over the course of three years. We each worked in both books and challenged ourselves even more by working on top of each other's work -- a true collaborative effort.  The end result was two books, each filled with artwork and memories.

Happily, our books are being featured in the January/February issue of Somerset Studio.

let nature appear

like no other feeling, like no other sound

the rush of the wind, the pulse of the ground

elixer, intention, a spontaneous space

a sense of adventure, a majestic embrace

light and enchanting, a plumage so warm

dark and encumbered, in shadow and form

by design it will stream, it will soar, it will fly

the power of forests, the freedom of sky

there is rain, there is thunder, it is second to none

adrift and asunder, it can't be undone

transition will follow the edge of a breeze

and times we cannot see the woods for the trees

the call of the wild, the answer so clear

the echo of time, both rich and austere

the story is written, let nature appear

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

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.

Making Waves

He reached toward the sky, as if to say "nothing can stop me." Not the passing of time or the ravages of age. I remain who I am. Forever striving. Forever hoping. And never giving up. Making waves.

He reached toward the sky, as if to say "nobody can stop me." Not those who deny or those who criticize. I live only my truth. Moving forward. Moving onward. And never giving in. Making waves.

Handmade and one-of-a-kind.

Ingredients: found metal + 19th century religious statue hands + time

Spes...

Fortuna...

Ekajata...

Available for purchase in The Altered Page on Etsy, where you can see additional images and find more information about the series inspiration.

All pieces sold. Thank you!

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.