Completed St. Louis YWC Journal!

Wow! Its done! The St. Louis Young Women's Caucus Art Journal is complete! Its been in the works for 4 months and tonight it has been wrapped up to be sent off to its first exhibit of 2011. Travel safely....

This is the front cover.

Side view - coptic stitched - took me 2 days to bind do to the cold I have.

The journal is about 2 inches thick! Includes, painting, drawing, stitching, collage, prints, cutting, text, and more... works by 8 artists each making entries for 1 week.

Title Page

I would like to thank Autumn Randell, Kate Freeman, Katie Tulk, Lydia Brockman, Rebecca Orf, Angeles Jonske, and Lyda Boda for participating in this project. I know that it was hard to make time for this project every day for a week. The results are amazing.

Each Artists also included a short artist biography. It will be interesting to look back on this book to see where we were in 2010 and where we went from here.

Colophon - It was fun to write as documentation to this project.

Back cover....

For those who hesitated about getting involved because of the time commitment but then wished to / or ones who found out about the project to late - dont worry - there will be more projects in the future! Thanks for your support for this project and this group of YWC-STL members. There is room for everyone in WCA and internal caucus YWC.

This art journal and the other YWC art journal that are involved with this Traveling Journal Project will traveling during the year 2011. During the month of July they will be displayed in St. Louis, venue "to be announced".

To many future art projects for WCA-STL and YWC-STL,

Roxanne Phillips

Katie Tulk bio

Katie Tulk was born in California in 1985 where she was raised by a small pack of wild desert dogs. Her family having perished in the draught of 91, she migrated to St. Louis Missouri to pursue her fortune. After completing a 13 year apprenticeship with a local Shaman, Katie attended an anonymous school of witchcraft and wizardry, where after she obtained her BFA from Maryville University Saint Louis.

While at Maryville, Katie concentrated on a wide range of mixed media, including found object, 3d and fiber art. Katie currently works in fashion and visual merchandising, and is married to an African prince.They reside happily in St Louis, where they own seven unicorns, and a small Jewish bakery called J-tarts. Katie enjoys creating couture garments and interior fashions, and is currently examining things in a very creative manor.

Katie Tulk pages

Lydia Boda

DAY FIVE
I used pen and drew what ever came to mind... I was feeling quite random.


DAY SIXI used wire that I had left over from another project, I was trying to see what I could do, and how well the wire was manipulated, it was not easy but I actually enjoyed it.

DAY SEVEN
I used pencil and did a bunch of 2 minute ribbon study's, I was kinda sad in the picture they are pretty light. but all is good!

Lydia Boda

DAY TWO

day two I went over the first and second page again. I used water color pencils to draw a dragonfly wing. I also did a gesso transfer with the little dragonfly and drew on top of it with ink.

I have decided to continue to grow the word cloud at the bottom of the page throughout the whole thing to. Its all my thoughts of this project and what I'm thinking about. pretty much Unreadable except for a few words that are darker.


DAY THREE

Day three I cut a page into triangles, stitched them together, then drew more triangles with pencil.


DAY FOUR

I used water color pencil and regular pencil(again). I continued with the triangular theme and wrote a bunch of mathematical formulas that had something to do with triangles. I then drew a big triangle in the middle and brushed it out. The scribbles to get a wash was my way of scratching out math, because I am not a big fan of that subject.

Lydia Boda - Day 1

When I work in my sketchbook I normally jump to different pages and then go back later, SO thats what I want to do with this project. On my first page of day one I used pencil and water color pencils. with this one I obviously just used pencil.

DAY 7: Angeles (Angie) Jonske

This week has really gone way to fast for me...in more ways than one! This last piece is conceptual as my others, but on a lighter note. I have always been a day dreamer...most of the time when I was little I think I was in my own world more than I was everyone else's world. What can I say...it was a fun place to hang...using the imagination, making up stories and worlds of my own. In this journal world, there are pixies and flying fairies.

It's been fun...

Mixed Media: collage, ball point pen, acrylic, house paint, duct tape, masking tape and probably some more stuff.

Have a great holiday season!

angeles jonske, signing out.

DAY 6: Angeles (Angie) Jonske

Sorry this picture is so bad. I could not get a picture without that big fatty glare. I am going to let you draw your own conclusions to this piece because I think there are a few conclusions that can be drawn. I have given a lot of input on my stuff earlier this week so I thought I would give you something a little less conclusive to my thoughts.

I began the piece with some marks and the red background.

After that I laid down the words "adjust the fragrance". Then I took them out with the white paint roller. I added a couple other words "sample sale" on the right bottom. Some of that is gone now as well.

Tomorrow is my last day. I have really enjoyed this week and feel very privileged to be a part of it. Hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!!

Title: Adjust The Fragrance

Mixed Media: house paint, acrylic, litho pencil, collage.

DAY 5: Angeles (Angie) Jonske

I am going to keep this one short and simple.

Consumerism. Decisions. Choices.

Mixed Media: House paint, pencil, acrylic paint, oil pastels.

DAY 4: Angeles (Angie) Jonske

For today's piece, I couldn't help but continue with the same concept as yesterdays piece on being bombarded by media and advertisements. This piece, titled "Abandoned By Greed?" is about how, in a lot of ways, we are brainwashed and manipulated as a society to be something that we aren't, whether we want to or not. We are pressured through media, Hollywood, society, government our environment and peers to be a certain way, think a certain way, act a certain way and dress a certain way as well as have the 'right' car, 'right' friends and 'right' house, 'right' technology, whatever 'right' might mean.

"Abandoned By Greed?" close up

Mixed Media: house paint, oil pastel, ball point pen, correction fluid, pencil, lithography pen, crayon

DAY 3: Angeles (Angie) Griffith

Today I went to Picasso's, a local coffee shop, to begin writing a paper and preparing for a presentation I am giving on artist, Barry McGee. A lot of his work was centered around urban life, taking on a pessimistic perspective, looking at the lives of the people who call the street their home, the negativity of mainstream as a whole, including our society being bombarded by advertising. The only way to get away from this bombardment is to lock yourself in a dark room and on top of this, we are pressured to keep up with the latest trends and gadgets, technology and even our use of time, over working ourselves.

Breaking it down a bit:

Phrases throughout this piece -

subliminal hypnosis

mass(ive) situation

entitlement

cultural rape

economical disaster

and

to do lists:

laundry

paper

blog

cleaning

close up 1

I am not sure if this is complete yet.

I might do some more layering and

covering up. If I make any changes by the

end of the week, I will post new pictures.

close up 2

DAY 2: Angeles (Angie) Jonske

There have been so many times this past six months where I have had a creative block. Going to school as a Studio Art Major really does not allow for creative blocks. I think that has been really good for me, teaching me to press through those times and create even when I don't feel so creative. It helps to shake off those blocks instead of becoming a victim of them.

"Exposure"

Mixed Media: gouche, oil pastels, liquid paper

DAY 1: Angeles (Angie) Jonske

After a long, hard semester, it is refreshing to be a part of this project, where I am able to let loose, use whatever materials I choose and just let my mind, emotions and hands lead the way to whatever happens, enjoying the journey and freedom along the way. I have always been drawn to urban in all ways...culture, lifestyle, buildings, music, fashion and art. The past few years I have been on a more fierce path to finding myself and when I look at my work, it's as if I am beginning to see the image in the mirror more clearly.

I have recently been looking at Cy Twombly's work a lot. I enjoy expressing with my emotions, allowing myself to react to the paper and the marks and colors I put down before me.

Here is my first piece to the start of this blogging journey. "Looking Back. Moving Forward" Materials: Gouche, Oil Pastels, Pencil

Rebecca Orf: Day 7--Final Sketch

[Insert sound of exhaustion] I can't say that I am not happy this is over. Although, I thoroughly enjoyed it, everyday is too much for me. Looking back at my original goals, I think I will shoot for three sketchbook entries a week. I followed the rules I had set up for myself and learned some things along the way...

1. I have developed some new embroidery techniques that I will incorporate in my future work. Without access to a darkroom or printing press, I thought I was limited. However, this project made me realize how much I could do (with little money) out of my studio. I will begin working with alternative photography processes again--I will just keep it small. The building sketches I made represent photographs that will be incorporated into future work.

2. By using what I already have, I am repurposing and reducing the amount of art materials that surround and overwhelm me.

3. My students inspire me. I taught a lesson that

involved plaster of paris on burlap. After the project

I went home and did an image transfer onto the

plaster. As an art teacher I am not giving up on my

art. I will continue to pursue it--and use it to inspire

my students who continue to inspire me.

4. Reflection is really worth the time it takes to do.

I am excited to see the upcoming artwork. Peace out.

Rebecca Orf: Day 6...

For this entry, I am actually sketching! Acrylic is not usually my medium of choice, but it is ideal for sketching because it dries so quickly. This journal is forcing me to dedicate time for developing new work--I'm not going to say that's an easy task, but I'm managing. In between the work, homework, studying, cleaning, laundry, reading, feeding animals, leaf raking, coffee drinking, and eating there is plenty of time! I suppose I should consider myself lucky as I am sure most artists have even more on their plate.

Rebecca Orf: Day 5...

I find myself nearly driving off the road staring at the clusters of birds flying in formation. I suppose I have an affinity for things that are found in the sky--birds, hot air balloons, clouds, stars... Why... I'm not sure.

Day 4 Continued...

This is another study on the layering of photography with paint and fibers--each section being a different panel.

Rebecca Orf Day 4...

I am blogging a little late...It really is hard to find spare time to upload photos, etc. Anyway, this entry is a "sketch" of something I would like to create someday. I would like to make panels in the dimensions shown--some panels might be oil paint on board, some might be fabric attached to a stretcher, and some might be heavy-weight paper. The building would be a photograph and the fence would be sewn in.

I cut out the swatches of color from old sketches that have been lying around. It gives me a chance to see an old piece in a new light. The drawings are done on acetate which allows a drawing to be rearranged withought affecting the panels of color.

Rebecca Orf: Day 3...

I am using scraps of lace, ribbon, thread, etc. I suppose you could label me as a "hoarder" of these items. I really have a hard time throwing them out. I always envision them being incorporated into something in the future. Today is that day...

In this "sketch", I incorporated copper thread by weaving it through an old piece of lace. By doing this project, I am realizing my obsession with color. Cream, rosey-orange, avocado, copper, etc. Does anyone else daydream about color swatches??? Anyone???

Day Two...

All of this pen and paper stuff makes me want to grab my camera. I guess it's the instant gratification of it all. My scattered brain cannot always record things the way I originally envisioned them. With a camera in hand, the image can be captured instantly. Love my holga!

Rebecca Orf: Work in Progress...

Day 1 continued...

This devotion of time and blogging is alot more involved than I thought. Putting my thoughts and ideas into words is challenging for me. I did follow the rules I set up for myself though. I have been experimenting with layers and textures. Freezer paper/parchment--when not wrapped around pumpkin bread--is an inexpensive resource that provides some degree of transparency. I reflected on my day in the background of this page...I found it difficult, yet revealing. I think this project will help me define the meaning of my work.

Rebecca Orf [Day 1...or should I say Night 1]

I thought I would begin by introducing myself...
Among many titles that fit my name, I am an art-teacher-in-training. I earned my BFA in studio art with a Concentration in Painting and Photography. I am currently enrolled in a Masters program, in which I am scheduled to begin student teaching (art k-12) in less than 3 months from today. Most of my day is spent at my current job as a pre-school teacher. I make art in my spare time. It was not until recently that I realized that this proportion of work and play--play being my artwork--is actually quite ideal. In this way, art is my escape.

I am excited about this project. I've heard that it takes 3 weeks to form a habit. After this week, I will try to continue to work in my sketchbook daily--even if it is a simple doodle--until reflection is a habit. I have three goals for this project: (1) use only materials I currently have in my studio (2) be reflective (3) develop new ways of combining fibers with photography.

Lydia Brockman's Final Journal Post

Day One: I embroidered a tree with a wool/silk floss.

Day Two: I used water colors to create the color blocking. Then I outlined the shapes and filled in with a black cotton embroidery thread.

Day Three:I embroidered large loops with a cotton floss on silk. The loops were then tightly twisted and tacked down. I cut the twisted masses off the silk and then they tacked down to the journal pages. The mass is about 6in wide.

Day Four: I wanted to experiment with the incredible abilities of wool, specifically how wool wicks moisture from one place to another. Using a wool thread I embroidered a simple design directly in the paper. The paper was then soaked in water over night. The paper was placed on an incline, with a single wick extending from the embroidered paper placed in a plate of logwood dye. The wool was left to wick for 3 hours.



Day Five: A further attempt/experiment at wicking the dye through embroidery and on the
paper.



Day Six: A simple drawing of arrows, then filled in with water color.

Day Seven: Once again I used the wicking abilities of the wool embroidery thread. This time I embroidered on silk, then allowed the dye to wick through the design.




Day Eight: The drawing was done with a permanent marker, then filled in with water colors.