A Long September

September hasn't been a very good month for me, it's thrown all sorts of nasties my way; family leaving, work problems, money problems, creativity problems.
Actually, this year has been more trouble than it's worth and though there have been some bright spots, they're very hard to focus on over the rest of the shit.
But September is finally over and one can only hope for the best from here.
I'll begin October with a few things I've been working on (or trying to!).

Arts.
I've actually got quite a few things to show since my last update, unfortunately, I'm currently at my parents house and the only images I have to show are some digital sketches and scans from the Art House Co-ops sketchbook project, which just happened to be the only things on my laptop XD

This is Zien. Heheh, haven't drawn one of my characters in a while...

Bookbinding.

These are the most recent bindings I've managed. It's been a little slower than i'd like but I like to hope I've improved, at least. 

(sorry about the photos for these, they were taken with my phone camera at my parents house -__-)

Case Bindings:

Exposed Spine Binding:
Binding with exposed spine on kimono fabric tapes, waxed linen thread, Japanese papers and bead embellishment.
I rarely make exposed spine books any more, I find the construction, though pretty and flat-opening, a little less resilient, flimsier, if you will, than casebound. It's probably not as bad as I make it sound, but I like the sturdy feel and structure of a completely cased in book. Still, these kinds of bindings have their place, and though it takes me a lot longer to make than a casebound, it's still a satisfactory feeling when it's done and always a striking result.

The paper I used for the bookblock for this particular book is called Como; a gorgeous, creamy, heavyweight, wet-media paper. It takes watercolour washes, inks, markers and all sorts of dry media. It has a light grain and is thick enough that each signature is a single leaf. Love.

Ledger Binding:

I'm going to be teaching a bookbinding class tomorrow starting with simple pamphlet bindings and ledger bindings like the one below. Hopefully, if there's enough interest, the classes will grow and I'll start teaching a few of the more advanced bindings that I know.

I'm actually pretty nervous, I've never taught adult classes before and being a self taught binder, I just hope people don't blast me for my methods which may not all be 'official'! XD

I'll really try to keep this updated more often, I've been doing a fair bit of experimentation with natural media lately; printmaking in particular, which I'm eager to show.
Thanks for sticking with me!

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Danger Daze Drawings

Just a small art update.

These are some drawings I made for a local zine published by an ex co-worker.

Pen and ink, digital and pencil, respectively.

Only two of these made it to printing though; the pencil drawing of the girl with the crown did not, I'm thinking it was perhaps because it was too cute for the "sci-fi, horror and bizarro" subject matter of the zine. XD

By the way, the Zine is pretty awesome, there is some amazing talent out there in Brisvegas!

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Birthday, Box and Stationary

I've been pretty sick lately, I've had a nasty flu that's put me out of action for over a week (suspected whooping cough for a while but not sure now, hope it's not!)

I've been unable to go to work, doctors orders, and am on strong antibiotics that leave me with a perpetual bitter taste in my mouth, ew.

It also happened to fall on my birthday, of course, but it's nothing new as I've always had crappy things (mainly illness or accidents; broken bones, hospital stays, asthma attacks, flu's, bugs and infections etc) happen around the time of my birthday.

The upside was that this year I spent it with my wonderful family, and even in my disgusting state at the time, we had a lovely birthday breakfast :)

<3They even bought me a kumquat plant! Yum!

To stave off the boredom while at home I've been making stuffs, mainly books and birthday presents.

This one is a stationary set, printed with my own hand made stamps with matching envelopes and sticker seals. I even made the a box for them this time! I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, even if it is a little rough around the edges.

I then wrapped it in some of my hand-dyed lokta paper i've been saving for special use :3

Mandatory doggy approval.

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Chunky Book

Finally finished a little chunky book that's been waiting to be finished for some time now.

Here is the pre-finished-chunky stage:

And the finished book! Yay!

Happy chunky book in my happy chunky hand! :D

Materials used:

110gsm cartridge paper book block

red waxed linen thread

gold paper end sheets

maroon silk paper spine

pearlescent paper with an asian inspired print

rice paste, bookbinding glue, cheese cloth, bond paper and pre-made end bands.

Dimensions (width x height x depth): 8.5cm x 11.4cm x 3.2cm

^_^

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Woodless Watercolours

Haven't had much of a chance to create anything finished, other than books. I'm all into the bookbinding at the moment :D

Had a little play with some Mont Marte Woodless Watercolour Pencils at work, they're very different from traditional watercolour pencils, they require less precise control thus I found it rather challenging! However, they have a lovely effect and some beautiful lush colours; fun for splashing about with messier, looser work.

This was done at work in the spare 10 minutes before I started, so yes, not that original. ^^

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