Noela's October Letters



Noela's September Letters

I,J,K,L
More of the same, I'm afraid.
Maybe I'll get some time and energy in October to think of how I will present these letters - quite a challenge for me.



Noela's Dotty alphabet

I have been preparing paper for this alphabet for several months - playing with 'bruising' papers, immersing in green tea in rusty oven trays, and using some sludgy inks and even mouldy green tea leaves.
The results from green tea and rust are the best.

These are some of the other results [showing the general process]- the dotty blobs are created from the rust as the fluid dried on the paper.

I have misplaced most of these papers in the chaos of the last few months, hmmmmm, but I found enough to start my dotty alphabet.

I wanted round, dotty letters and have made them as simple as possible. Not sure which ones to use - the positives, negatives, or relief overlay with both. I was thinking a concertina book, but may have to change my ideas to accommodate the relief [I really like the shadows]. Any ideas???

Noela's Book - ALAW 1, 2012

Yes, it's all finished.

I wanted to prove to myself that I could do the formal calligraphy style letters.

I wanted a 'classical look' for the presentation, and thought a standard book with turning pages might be a tad boring. Always wanted to try the 'flag book', so here it is.

Not being a 'book maker', I was confronted with major construction issues - tried the concertina bit 3 times before I got it right and nearly ruined the letters in the process.

I had a bright idea - I wanted to fasten the covers with magnets - hmmmmm

- this time at least 6 attempts to get it right.

Gave up and went for a simple slip cover instead. It was too big, so more modifications and extra layers of card.

Painting the ABC for the cover was the fun part - the rest was pure tedium.

...playing with the concertina,

...letters in place,

...book opened up with small slip cover,

...all closed up and looking very formal!! [Thanks Fiona for the cover paper]

...detail of ABC on cover.

Once again, this has been a great project, especially the sharing with others across the miles, and seeing how others' creativity is expressed. It's also great for me to have the opportunity to try new things without the pressure of exhibtions and public scrutiny.
Thanks Fiona.

Noela's last letters, alphabet 1, 2012

It's nice to be ahead of schedule.

I have finished my book as well and will post the pics of the finished product at the end of the month.

Noela's letters for May

I have started making my final book, so hopefully all will be revealed at the end of this month...many challenges, and a 'make it up as you go' process.

It's just a 3 tiered flag book but I am needing to measure and calculate - ugh... don't like using my left brain!!!

Noela's Letters for April

Argh - another new layout for us to get our heads around.
These blogger boffins must be sitting there thinking up ways to fill in their time and stress out us oldies!!

Anyway, enough of the 'resistence to change' - just get on with it, Noela!!

...once again, gouache on Canson Mi-Teintes papers.

Noela's letters for March

Noela's letters for February



Introduction - Noela

Hi everyone.
I am a mixed media artist, living in beautiful Maleny on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Australia. My friends and family are a constant joy to me and my creativity keeps me fulfilled.
I paint, draw, make jewellery, design, sew, photograph, travel, and generally just have a jolly good life.
My work is generally abstract, in earthy colours and often combines rust paint or found objects. I find that old, worn, pre loved 'stuff' generates its own energy, which 'speaks' to the viewer. My work carries the essence of 'wabi sabi' - the Zen Buddhist philosophy of finding beauty in age and imperfection.
My blog site is http://wabisabiart.blogspot.com/
I am participating in this 'A Letter a week' project because it keeps me 'thinking outside the square'. I am not a calligrapher or a book maker but I have developed a love of book making as a form of consolidating samples and gorgeous bits too special to throw away.
I am looking forward to seeing all your wonderful creations throughout the year.