Tag: art

Looking forward…

2015 is going to be a BIG year.

I am starting it off with a YEAR LONG PROJECT entitled 365 Days: A Year in Postcards. Every day, for the entire year, I will make (and share with you) a postcard. This is a really big commitment, to both myself, my art practice, and my pals . I am looking forward to the challenge, and the evolution, as the year progresses.

Second on the list is, of course, VALENTINE’S DAY, which I have been lovingly working away on. I have new ideas for both participation and distribution, and I am excited to spread as much love around as we can!

BUT FIRST…I will be unplugging for the first four days of the new year!! I am going to go away, to a place beside the water, where I have friends waiting for me. I will not be bringing my computer. I will not be checking my phone. I WILL be making my first four postcards there, and getting ready for the year ahead.

So, COME BACK TO ME that first full week of January, and I will have pictures to share, love to give, and a whole MAILBOX FULL of connection and heart!!

ALL THE BEST to you, my pals, in the year ahead… May we know true connection, and the courage it takes to pick up the pen.

All my love,
Lefty Smudges

letterslot

31 Days of Gratitude (2014)

Every day for one month, the month of October, I made and handed out a ‘thank you’ card to someone in my community/circle. This is the second year for this project – 31 Days of Gratitude – and this year proved to be just as fruitful an experience as the first time around.

Day 1
Day 1
Day 2
Day 2
Day 3
Day 3
Day 4
Day 4
Day 5
Day 5

London-20141007-02929_fotorLondon-20141008-02944_fotorLondon-20141009-02947_fotorLondon-20141006-02920_fotorday 10 of 31day 11 of 31day 12 of 31day 13 of 31day 14 of 31day 15 of 31day 16 of 31

 

 

Some days were easier than others in getting this card made and handed out. Some days I knew exactly who I wanted to give it to. This project was a commitment, and it shaped my days.

day 17 of 31 day 18 of 31 day 19 of 31 day 20 of 31 day 21 of 31 day 22 of 31 day 23 of 31 day 24 of 31 day 25 of 31 day 26 of 31 day 27 of 31 day 28 of 31 day 29 of 31 day 30 of 31day 31 of 31

I love this project. I look forward to October every year.

Words. Paper. Packaging.

Remember those three painters I told you about. Well, one of them talks to me about materials. He speaks to me of the process and the work. He tells me to never be afraid of the ‘work’.

With each project, I begin by daydreaming. I start to let my mind wander and mull. I use whatever theme the project may have to guide me. Words start to form. Images begin to appear. I daydream some more. Then I begin to sketch, and draw. Lines and dots. Every time this is what I begin with, and this is what I come back to. Lines and dots. An sos of sorts? A life line? A circle of life? I draw for days. I watch how the lines are forming and what is forming between the lines.

This time, I began like every other. But this time, I also had paper on my mind. A new kind of paper. One I have never used before. Beautiful paper. I know that this paper can be manipulated and layered. I had that paper in mind as I began to daydream, and sketch, and think of words.

The paper is called Washi. Washi is the name given to traditional handmade Japanese paper. There are three plants used in the making of Washi:  Kozo, Mitsumata, and Gampi. For this project, I have chosen to use Gampi paper.

http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/abt-japanese-paper/about-washi.htm

Did you read that! This paper is said to be ‘the noblest fibre, noted for it’s richness, dignity and longevity’. How beautiful. That is exactly the kind of paper I want to make a Valentine with. That is exactly the kind of paper that will hold the words of love as they should be held – richly, dignified, and forever.

For some reason, only known to me, a Japanese theme has come up in the making of this card. The paper, as I have said, is of Japanese tradition. Well, the binding I am using to hold the card together is also Japanese. A traditional 4-hole Japanese binding stitch.

Image

Did you know that this binding is said to connect to the heart of the person holding it! Holding the card will connect it directly to your heart. That is exactly what we want. To connect directly to the heart. Could it be more perfect.

This has been a process. One that I began in the fall of last year. Gathering all of these facets. Imagining and opening up for all of this inspiration and material to come together. The book binding workshop last November, the idea, long ago, to give a postcard to my painter friend and let him create it, the pages and pages of drawings; the hours of ‘work’. I am not afraid of work. If you put in the time, a card that is as beautiful as the one I am making will be born.

Have I told you of my own personal Valentine list yet? It is up to 37 already. 37 Valentines from Lefty Smudges alone.

On this list are:

my three painters, six profoundly talented artists, all the households in my family (including aunts and cousins), three muses, an old neighbour, my best girlfriends (all 4 of them), a young man that makes me laugh, and many other friends who are beautiful and should know that they are loved.

Is there a one? You ask. One love for Lefty Smudges?

There is.

It is with him in mind that I have designed this card. It is with his love in my heart that I searched for, and found, means of expression.

“Every letter I have ever written has been a love letter”

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/174385968/lefty-smudges-valentines-mail-out-2014?

P.S. I am not afraid of what I do not know, and there is much I do not know – photography is one of them.   Right now the thing I am focusing on is the cards (the art and the correspondence). My etsy page will get better. I promise.