tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post2260261045879059785..comments2024-03-27T12:49:22.128-07:00Comments on Beadlust: Cry ~ Feb Bead Journal Project ~ Finished!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06700778413231259614noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-65943308964874024762010-03-15T19:08:38.562-07:002010-03-15T19:08:38.562-07:00Once again you make a project that not only please...Once again you make a project that not only pleases my eyes, but touches my heart. I love the picture of your mother in the middle and the beads seem to caress her and hold her with love. And, you've used buttons! I've inherited my mother's lovely button stash and have wondered how to work it into my bjp pieces. Now you have given me some ideas!Its a beautiful piece and I thank you for sharing so much of the back story that goes with it.Sharon Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10844810991923493630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-45891494664672632322010-03-05T10:00:35.440-08:002010-03-05T10:00:35.440-08:00The beaded heart is beautiful. Great work!The beaded heart is beautiful. Great work!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01160484237115178910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-65733691314061387642010-02-25T20:59:55.593-08:002010-02-25T20:59:55.593-08:00To Kali ~ Thank you so much for taking the time to...To Kali ~ Thank you so much for taking the time to write a thoughtful comment and give me such great feedback. I appreciate and understand the points you make. In fact, it's stimulating a lot of thinking and internet research... ;>} Robin A.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700778413231259614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-27018960662564730152010-02-25T18:53:44.252-08:002010-02-25T18:53:44.252-08:00Your February piece is lovely. I'm so sorry t...Your February piece is lovely. I'm so sorry to hear your mother is not doing well. I've been thinking about you and your mom and I'm remembering that although my mom died in 1977, we still talk to each other.<br /><br />I am amazed at how the Bead Journal Project is lifting my spirits. The days I work on my pieces are "red letter days," You are a wonderful mentor and friend. Your comments about my first piece were a wonderful gift.<br /><br />Beady_AnnBeady_Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11866933201666444305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-71910880586003531212010-02-25T13:16:44.525-08:002010-02-25T13:16:44.525-08:00Excellent tute on the use of words in artworks by ...Excellent tute on the use of words in artworks by Kali above. And Mum looks content surrounded by a lovely flower garden. K.kaiteMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16299002622308267375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-39857215629183103502010-02-25T00:59:53.704-08:002010-02-25T00:59:53.704-08:00The heart is exquisite! I've realized I need t...The heart is exquisite! I've realized I need to buy your books and start learning how bead embroidery is really done. :) (Getting them in Switzerland is the challenge!) And I think the text and embroidery work together much better in this piece than the last. I also love the colors and textures of the fabric.<br /><br />Since you're a collage beginner, I hope you don't mind a constructive critique. (I'd welcome the same on my beading projects!)<br /><br />Text collage is particularly difficult to pull off because words and images have such different valences, and one needs to worry about both visual composition and textual composition. Folks in advertising have a ton of experience doing this, and so it can help to analyze effective text & image ads (sheerly for aesthetic value) to see how they pull it off. There are also wonderful artists who combine text and image, and they're worth studying too. My all time favorite is Magritte's "Ceci n'est pas une pipe," where image, text and concept all hang in exquisite balance. Check out Lichtenstein, Sue Coe, Hanna Hoch, Raoul Hausmann, Jasper Johns, Ed Fella, Tanya Hartman, Cindy Kane, Lois Main Templeton. Even Picasso tried his hand at it.<br /><br />The "packaging" of the word tags (framing, edging, little tails) overwhelms the words themselves, especially since the words are printed on such a busy background. Altogether, the words + packages overpower the heart, and make the composition feel like it wants to tilt counterclockwise. (This could be countered by pushing the heart further to the right, breaking the frame with almost half the heart, and that would also give it a more spacious feeling. As it is, the words are crowding the heart.)<br /><br />I spent many years designing books and journals, and I learned from typography experts that it's best to mix no more than two different typefaces on a page, and to stick with one headline typeface. You've got a little more freedom in typographic art, but the principle still holds. Once you start mixing a lot of different styles of title font, you wind up diminishing the impact of each font, rather than enhancing it. Sometimes that's an artist's goal, but I don't think it is here. I would have suggested breaking this piece into multiple frames, and doing one heart associated with one word in the typeface you feel suits it, and combining in an installation where a viewer could wander and experience each aspect fully and separately, as well as seeing them as part of whole. But there are many ways to achieve the same end.<br /><br />I love watching experts in one area start to venture into another -- you'll learn very quickly and soon you'll forget you were ever a beginner at collage!<br /><br />KaliKalihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05656101965723180260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-42786176144451012982010-02-24T23:15:37.623-08:002010-02-24T23:15:37.623-08:00Well I'm very impressed with your beginning co...Well I'm very impressed with your beginning collage efforts! This is such a pretty piece. I especially like the teardrop in the middle, the white looks so pretty and contrasts with the bright colors. This is such an enduring way to honor your mother and your relationship with her.robin michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11512210501809058988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-11595600900967206722010-02-24T18:18:21.124-08:002010-02-24T18:18:21.124-08:00Love your work, you are an inspiration. I am worki...Love your work, you are an inspiration. I am working on this years pieces, but never received the e-mail to link me to the blog for 2010 so cannot post my thoughts there. Have tried several e-mails, but no replies. i will keep working,hoping someone will send me the link. Love your books also.Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02655810999957781092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-33099169230507507452010-02-24T16:58:39.318-08:002010-02-24T16:58:39.318-08:00Wow...I love the heart and addition of the way you...Wow...I love the heart and addition of the way you printed and beaded the words adds so much! I'm sure you noted before what size your pieces are. I have to check that out! I've been behind in checking my dashboard on blogger for the past few days...just too busy in sunny Florida!Robbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13506964994589004458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-36168675691487721202010-02-24T16:05:40.037-08:002010-02-24T16:05:40.037-08:00I was just thinking today...that THE number one th...I was just thinking today...that THE number one thing that the bead journal project has taught me...is about STORY...<br /><br />The story of the materials used...the story of the emotions that surfaced while stitching..the story that evolves as we create each piece. my needlework has taken on so much more meaning because of these stories. <br /><br />And your story this month...the one told in words and in beads and collage...is very beautiful. And I don't think the edges of those words could have been finished more perfectly...xo SusanSusan Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18094024834053351944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-83403925217410717092010-02-24T14:14:16.896-08:002010-02-24T14:14:16.896-08:00There is no such thing as not doing collage well! ...There is no such thing as not doing collage well! :DThe Lone BeaderĀ®https://www.blogger.com/profile/17670946654211536130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-13770770021274937662010-02-24T13:48:18.234-08:002010-02-24T13:48:18.234-08:00This piece has so much meaning that it's impos...This piece has so much meaning that it's impossible to comment in a way that does it justice, but what went into it is appreciated immeasurably.<br />The multiple media you used to create this one is a challenge to all -- grow, grow, and grow some more. I can see so much more in this one than the last one, but I still love that one too! Each one has it's own merits, impossible to pick a favorite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-14035799306929346612010-02-24T13:38:14.133-08:002010-02-24T13:38:14.133-08:00Well Robin for being a beginner at collage, I thin...Well Robin for being a beginner at collage, I think you did an amazing job. I love your teardop photo of your Mom. I think it is so sweet that you have so many memories of growing up being loved by this wonderful woman. I dont know her personally but it seems she has had a profound effect on your life and I envy that. I grew up with an alcoholic mother and I have lived my life being a much better Mother to my children than my own was to me. I think you are both lucky to have each other. Your beadwork, as always, is lovely. Great work my friend.Tracey Leederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06618831763441517939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-31788669477736714782010-02-24T12:08:05.986-08:002010-02-24T12:08:05.986-08:00As always, Robin, I am in awe of your work. And yo...As always, Robin, I am in awe of your work. And you have a way of getting to the heart (if you will excuse the pun) of the matter. Your explanation of your work tells us of your feelings about it, but leaves the way open for us to interpret it on our own also. You always encourage us to take that one more step forward into new areas, previously unexplored. Brava for you!abeadladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01555153139492418505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-59901087219677591012010-02-24T11:00:38.696-08:002010-02-24T11:00:38.696-08:00Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful, supportiv...Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful, supportive comments. Your encouragement makes it easier for me to work outside of my comfort zone and try new things and even post the results. I really appreciate the time it takes for you to read and comment!Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700778413231259614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-76451617498661212582010-02-24T10:51:58.150-08:002010-02-24T10:51:58.150-08:00I have to admit I was curious to find out where yo...I have to admit I was curious to find out where you'd go with your words this month. And cry was an unexpected choice for me to see you use. That word just didn't seem to fit....but seeing your finished piece, WOW! It certainly couldn't have been a better choice! I love this piece, it's meaning and the journey you took with it!<br /><br />Therapy, learning, emotion...it's all a part of the artful journey we take.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06789469480781321757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-75700382922863338502010-02-24T09:02:29.672-08:002010-02-24T09:02:29.672-08:00What a great idea!!! Isn't it surprising that...What a great idea!!! Isn't it surprising that the works all come together with the art piece. Your mother would be so proud. LiseEvelyn and Lisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721179837144505509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-11720659155866902752010-02-24T08:25:44.776-08:002010-02-24T08:25:44.776-08:00your work always inspires me. i'm totally ama...your work always inspires me. i'm totally amazed at how quickly you can learn and be on your way to mastering a new form of art with your beads. i spent some time reflecting on your words for this month and thought about how they applied to my mother as well. thank you for sharing your story and your art because it has meaning for me too.Crazy Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01633687398516002892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-65802418388863873322010-02-24T08:01:28.110-08:002010-02-24T08:01:28.110-08:00Robin, this is an amazing piece.Robin, this is an amazing piece.Dee Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05705969600664035705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-91290908660195276882010-02-24T07:16:32.285-08:002010-02-24T07:16:32.285-08:00Robin, I love reading about how your project evolv...Robin, I love reading about how your project evolved. The end result is very touching. I lost my mother many years ago but still want to show her things that I've created. She was always so pleased with what I was making. I too can't wait to see March's words. Gitabubbygigihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01232811614555701194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-61212103892596309332010-02-24T07:09:16.100-08:002010-02-24T07:09:16.100-08:00I'm sorry that you're not totally satisfie...I'm sorry that you're not totally satisfied with your January piece! I loved it. But today as I read through your post, I realized that part of the reason I had such a strong reaction to it was because it reflected MY life at this moment :-)<br /><br />So there you have it. My reaction was totally personal, as was yours. I could just echo what everyone else has said about this lovely February piece, but I thought you might like to know more about last month's piece too. xoxo CyndiCyndi Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01564900810103675653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-62055844708482159352010-02-24T06:39:59.608-08:002010-02-24T06:39:59.608-08:00Robin you hit every feeling and emotion right on. ...Robin you hit every feeling and emotion right on. I am in the process of creating a piece that represents me and my sister who passed 7 weeks ago. It will never heal my broken heart, however, it allows me to carry on.<br /><br />This piece offers so much more than just art. <br /><br />Nicole/BeadwrightDVArtisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389131898875955178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-84360058286405881162010-02-24T06:11:42.831-08:002010-02-24T06:11:42.831-08:00I agree with everyone's comments and like Caro...I agree with everyone's comments and like Carol said 'Self-Therapy'! It's amazing what beading ends up telling us if we just let it. This is a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your Mom and what this means to you. And for the technical details - good to know that everyone struggles with how to make their piece look 'right'!Carol Creechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680651011815857131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-30634767402166167272010-02-24T05:56:17.140-08:002010-02-24T05:56:17.140-08:00It's a lovely piece. You are being too hard on...It's a lovely piece. You are being too hard on yourself-you do collage very well.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07831911392950703592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28049265.post-34068331974862100062010-02-24T05:29:01.926-08:002010-02-24T05:29:01.926-08:00One of the most challenging and important steps to...One of the most challenging and important steps top take when we are working on a project that involves a new technique , is to BANISH our Inner Critic!!! Good job you!!! the meaning of this piece is very obvious to you now and it is not about the process- the maning is what is important hereand of course the glorious inpirational technique and bead choices !!!<br />LOve this piece!!!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13861364748418692061noreply@blogger.com