First draft: text for my flag book

I am really trying to focus on one work and get something finished so I can feel like I am making some progress. The trouble with being low on energy is that I find myself flitting from one project to the next, doing easy things, trying different techniques instead of concentrating and making real decisions that need to be made.

I am thinking of changing the layout of this flag book. I think the picture below expresses the idea of clouds blowing across a sky, better than the one I originally used (see earlier post). I still hope to use the original image, but maybe on the front or back cover.

Today I also wrote the first draft of the text for this book. I have been putting this off for quite a while, but it came together fairly quickly - I had a really clear idea of what I wanted to communicate, which helps. I really hate didactic art works - I like people to have to work a little and to think about the work. However, I do probably have a tendency to be a bit too oblique, so I would really appreciate some feedback on whether you think this text is working.

Meditation: Lesson 1
Moods change like the weather

Sit cross-legged, eyes closed

Breathe in
And out

Hear: the sound of voices on the air

A car passes
And then silence

Observe: tightness in the chest;
Thought: what is this?

Thought: A memory (The mind plays the scene)
Observe: tightness turns into a dull ache

Thought: That’s so unfair

Hear: the sound of birds chirping
Thought: the baby birds are hungry
Observe: pain disappears;
Observe: I am smiling with my eyes closed

Hear: two-stroke engine splutters to a start

Observe: shoulder muscles tighten
Thought: He does it just to annoy me

Observe: Heart rate quickens

Hear: engine dies.
Hear: “Shit”

Observe: I am smiling with my eyes closed.

Bellebyrd mention

Earlier this week I stumbled across Bellebyrd and Blakbyrd, the Print Australia blogs and its aligned yahoo group, Lyrebyrd. Print Australia have restructured, updating their on-line presence in keeping with the expansion of the internet. They have a fairly broad scope and are not limiting their content to printmaking. They even mentioned me this week....

The following is from Lyrebyrd:

*LYREBYRD* was first founded in 1999 as Print Australia by Josephine Severn and is currently operated in conjunction with the bellebyrd and blakkbyrd artblogs.

*lyrebyrd* * is an Australian based global community which aims to bring together artists separated by distance

* aims to facilitate critical discussion on contemporary issues, practices and events in international art

* provides a venue for the development of opportunities for exchanges, exhibitions, collaborations and curated events

* publishes exhibition announcements and other professional development opportunities for its members

* is named after the Australian lyrebird, like its namesake, it is multi-voiced'.

Invitation:The Print Australia project was commenced in 1999 and has been an outstanding success. It has provided a venue for the promotion of Australian printmaking and has assisted hundreds of artists worldwide in exhbiting their work. At the time of its development it addressed the lack of information and resources available to Australian printmakers and acted as an exemplar of what could be acheived without grant funding, by an individual artist.Its now time for PA to move into its next phase *lyrebyrd*. The objective of the two blogs, *bellebyrd* and *blakkbyrd*, is to introduce Australian art to an international audience, and international art to an Australian audience. The level of engagement is postgraduate. All media are covered, with particular emphasis on current trends. The lyrebyrd mailing list will act in support of the blogs and their forthcoming activities.

Clouds for my flag book

I have been working on more cloud images to use on the outside of the flag book that I mentioned earlier. I want to use one image that will extend across both the front and back covers and the concertina spine. The first image probably works best with the rest of the book colour-wise, although I love the softness of the second alternative. If you look really closely on the left, just below the lower bank of clouds you can see a tiny plane, which appeals to me.

In the bottom photo I do like the metaphor inherent in the layers of clouds of increasing darkness and the sliver of blue sky peeking through. inherent in the layers of clouds of increasing darkness and the sliver of blue sky peeking through.

There is so much to think about in making an artists book. So much to tie together conceptually, plus I am still searching for papers and printers and trying to decide whether to make it entirely myself or have it printed professionally. I would prefer to have the control of doing it all myself but I am only able to print up to A4, so it does limit my size. It is certainly a challenge, but enormous fun too!