mARTa's Art

Last October I found myself in Florence with my family on a month long vacation in Europe.  While in this most inspiring city I met up with fellow blogger and EDMer Robyn from Have Dogs Will Travel  I had asked her to take me to two places I most wanted to visit:  The old art store and La Farmacia.  After a nice lunch we headed to the art store only to find it closed for the day.  I was disappointed since it wouldn't re-open till Monday and we were leaving on Sunday!  Another time perhaps.

Today I joined my quilt group friends for a day of crafting. I put together an unbound portfolio to carry my precut and folded watercolor paper for future bound books. I decided for my trip to Europe instead of taking 4 sketchbooks ( one for each country) I am just going to take the paper and make the books when I return with my finished sketches.
I covered two bookbinding boards 12x8.25 inches with black book cloth and then covered the inside of the portfolio with sturdy paper with an Italian and French motif. Next I decorated the front with gold letter on plastic bubble tiles and spelled the word 'sketches' in Spanish. To hold it all snug, with the loose paper inside, I made two fasteners with grosgrain ribbon, metal fasteners and some Velcro. This way my sheets of paper won't slip out and they can double duty to hold my paper as I sketch or paint. The whole thing weights 17.5 ounces; much less than 4 sketchbooks would weight.
It's too hot here to sketch or paint. On my way home I noticed the temperature outside was 114 degrees Fahrenheit and it was almost 5pm! Tomorrow a day at the beach to try and escape this oppressive heat.

Do I really have to finish the last one before beginning this one? I might wait till Sept. 1st to begin this one...so I've a bit more sketching in the old one first! I got a great idea from one of the blog artist I discovered this morning, Lee-Roy. He followed Martha's instructions for rebinding a moleskine planner but also said he had pre-cut pages that he had sketched on to rebind later. This sounds like a great idea for me who likes to pack light. I can take the pre-cut pages and then rebind when I get home.



I put in a few glassine pages with the watercolor paper.


inside front cover and back covers with clear envelope to hold blank postcards

Finished sketchbook with bookbinding cloth and reptile paper for cover

I had the most wonderful and productive day. I arose this morning to a cool day with a light rain falling. I have been toying with the idea of making my own watercolor sketchbook after looking over some of the reloaded books like: Shirley's Paper and Threads, Jan's In my Spare Time, and Martha's Trumpetvine Travels on their blogs.

Fortunately I have done some bookbinding and already have all the supplies in my studio. I just needed a book to re-love. So I headed downtown Riverside to the only used book store I know and found 2 great books. One of Degas (which I couldn't bear to take apart) and the other 'Art Centers of the World: New York' I came home and quickly got to work.

I kept all the color plates in the book and incorporated them into the 11 signatures. I used arches 90# hot and cold press and 140# cold press for my signatures. I loved he end papers in the book which is a map of New York and location of all it's museums. I found the sewing to be relaxing as I listened to a new audio book "Albert Einstein."

After the photos for this blog entry the book is resting under several heavy nursing and art books to dry for a few days. I can't wait to start using it. If I love it I will have to make another for my trip to Europe next fall.

Oh, as a side note: While downtown I treated myself to a nice authentic Mexican meal at my favorite: The Tamale Factory and then went out in the light drizzle to sketch one of my favorite boutiques with my new mechanical pencil !

Good day, just plain good!