Southern Festival Of Books Art Journal 2016 Part One

I make all kinds of journals and give them each a focus. For example, Toad Rage, is one whose focus was just the recent road trip across America. These are mostly typical Glue Journals, gluing in  photographs, leather bits, ephemera, etc. One of the best parts along the journey is visiting art museums and picking up inspiration and ephemera.

I've also worked on the WS&F Open Tennis Journal building it with photographs, ephemera and catching autographs from famous tennis players.

The Southern Festival of Books happens every second weekend in October in Nashville Tennessee.   I've been attending for almost 20, and I've never thought to do a Book-fest Autograph Journal. So, it was long overdue. Authors are very creative accommodating people, so it looked like it would work out, and it sure did.

Mr. Winston Groom himself writes a lovely note. It was a honor to meeet this great man.

Now this meeting is forever recorded in this journal.

YA Author Lauren Oliver gives it a try.

Just walking around the grounds, you can spot great authors like Where's Lauren.

Brendan Kiely expresses his enthusiasm to write in the journal.

David Arnold is the first to draw a picture.

Ann Patchett will top that with a drawing of her own from Magician's Assistant!

More lovelies add their unique take.

Shannon Messenger pulls out all the stops, stamps and markers. I should have known authors would be more creative than even tennis players.

When you see a sports car taped on the city streets of Nashville, you have to ask what's going on.

And, if we're spray painting Maggie Stiefvater's car because she wants to inspire people to live a creative life, then she Has To spray paint the journal.

I left my eg circle logo on the trunk of Maggie Stiefvater's car. Spray paint is a bit squirrely to use.

My Coloring Book Contest Entry

Hastings Bookstore Coloring Contest Event

It's so much fun that today there are coloring books for adults. About seven years ago, at a lunch at my sister's house, I spent an hour coloring on her patio and felt like a silly radical. Now, I see that maybe I should have pursued it to publishing. Ah well, the time machine isn't working right now. 

 

When Hastings Bookstore put up posters for an adult coloring-book contest - I had to join in on the fun. Plus, it would be nice to have the prize. This would make me a paid artist.

 

I colored the vines, woods and birds with a combination of regular color pencils and a few watercolor pencils. Then, glued the image to a canvas for some stability. I drew, painted, and used magic markers to make the faux frame.

 

The original coloring book page is to the left.

 

 We are allowed to alter the image in any way we like.

Since Harry Potter has many wonderful paintings that come to life, I glued pieces of white leather on the bird to make it appear like it's flying out of the frame.

I covered the whole canvas with a sealant to keep everything protected, added a wire on the back to hang. Done.

 

 

Hedwig come to life!

 

It's mailed off and we wish our little artwork Good Luck!

Must Have - Matching Journal with Purse

We rather like this one for March.

 

This vintage Louis Vuitton was uncovered at the Goodwill (we're guessing it's the real deal because it smells all leathery, sewn nicely, and has the name engraved. When I put it in the cart, some lady approached me and said, "If you have second thoughts about that purse, let me know."

     Well, this reaction to it made me want it to buy it even more, plus I already had ready to go, the  journal that would match.

 

For the journal, I cut up a raggedy LV purse and glued it on a plain book. The belt came from a different purse and attaches by a snap.  I'm always scrounging around yard sales, and this rhino pin had all the right colors and it weighs down the front to stay snugly in place.

 

 

To make it more personal, on the inside I glued some of my ATCs (artist trading cards),
and gave it a finishing coat to seal the images.

 

These small journals go everywhere. I jot down
everything from To-Do lists, doodles, art and writing ideas,
to interesting quotes from authors that we meet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author Event for Friends of Linebaugh Library

Don Keith speaks at the Friends of the Linebaugh Library annual meeting.

 

Of course Zane and Mimi helped with the table decorations.

Director of the Linebaugh Rita Shacklett enjoying the event.

Mr. Keith signs books.

Even the ones in miniature!

Bookish Decorations for FOLL Annual Author Luncheon

 

Working on the Book Table Decorations for the FOLL Annual Author Luncheon and man, my whiskers are stuck together. Don Keith books in miniature as well as other author titles all dolled up in leather covers with a whole bunch of letters in every size, shape and weight.

Stacks need to dry, but they are looking good.

One Don Keith book in miniature. Only another dozen to go.

But they are cat-size reading.