TONS of Bird Art here, Sanctuary Chunky Book!

 

“Sanctuary, on a personal level, is where we perform the job of taking care of our soul.”
~Christopher Forrest McDowell

Note: Click the photos to see them larger, they will open in a new window. The photos don’t show all the depth these pages have, or the metallic accents and shimmer that some hold as well.

 

Remember last week, I told you about the Sanctuary (Anything bird related) chunky book I’m a part of? Well, if not, you can read about it here.. and see the backs of the pages I designed for it. For those curious, I ended up using all 3 versions :-)

 

“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.”
~C. Archie Danielson

 

Let me just tell you, this by far.. has been one of the most enjoyable fat books I’ve worked on. I think I excel with any sort of animal theme, birds, dogs … It just hits… well… home for me, and that feeling seems to creep and find its way into my work. Gotta love that lil bit of magic! As you can imagine doing 40 some original pages can be daunting.. but I have yet to run out of inspiration.. (let’s just hope I didn’t jinx myself by saying that!).. I think the theme, is a large part of my motivation.

 

So many people ask me why I do all unique, original pages for these books. There are just so many reasons. I don’t truly enjoy copies — it just robs some of the experience for me .. I love texture, and depth.. and knowing someone’s hands created what I’m seeing and feeling. It’s just… more personal to have originals. Don’t get me wrong — I’ve seen some amazing copies, and they continue to inspire me.. or I wouldn’t’ sign up to play in these books… but it’s always the original pages, that really touch me. It’s a tiny little gift that I love to receive, and in turn.. I love to give it.

“It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.”
~Aesop

 

The art community — all of you, have given so much to me over the years. Support. Strength. Endless Inspiration. As a result, I have grown .. both as an artist, and a person. All original pages, are one of the small ways, I try to say Thank You, and give back to this amazing community we’ve formed.

 

Then there’s the pesky little fact that it’s against my very nature to do the same step… over, and over.. and over… and over.. and over..  again. Blah. Adhering the backs to 40 some pages, was enough to make me wanna scream, much less assembling, and embellishing of the same 40 some pages. No Thank You! I don’t know how some of y’all do it!

 

“God loved the birds and invented trees. Man loved the birds and invented cages.”
~Jacques Deval

 

I thrive on the challenge. With each chunky book I have participated in, I assign myself an obstacle I’d like to overcome. I may want to try new techniques, or work with colors I don’t care for, try a theme that doesn’t inspire me at all, learn to work faster…without sacrificing quality.. the list goes on & on. The pages, become my own art journal of sorts.. trying to reach that goal, before all pages are complete.

 

 

With this particular book, I’m trying to create solid pieces of art, within a set time limit.. and simple compositions. It’s difficult for me not to spend hours on one page .. you know, I’m a stickler for details. I can look at a piece, and never think it’s finished.. a gem here, shadow there.. transfer here.. color there.. it just goes on & on.. and while I think it’s a quality that I definitely benefit from.. it also becomes a hindrance. It takes me far too long to complete my works.. and holds me back from moving on to new ones. Besides, working the same way time & time again.. will never lead to growth.  I need that growth, or I am just not content. I just don’t want to sacrifice quality, for quantity.

 

So, tell me what you think of this first batch of pages! I still have quite a bit more to go yet, and would love to hear what y’all think of how I’ve done so far.

 

Let me know if you’re working on this book too.. and pass your links to me, and I’ll show it in the next update post on this swap! Additionally, let me know if you have further questions on my work.. I’ll address what I can then too :-)

 

 

 

“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
~Henry Van Dyke

Now go — use your talents! I have to start getting ready to list some items, and try to transfer email onto this computer – so I can start to get caught up again!

 

Quick Detail Note — all pages are created on 140lb Watercolor Paper, 4″ x 4″, with mixed media, hand painted backgrounds.. Now, I can really go!

 

Artfully yours – Chrysti