2010 Book art and text-based art

Western Windows: Approx. 2”x 2” x  6.5” Leather, embroidered and printed fabric, acrylic paint, waxed polyester cord, glass, carnelian, turquoise, agate, lapis lazuli. Topic: embroidered landscapes highlight three imaginary road trips around the western United States. Private collection.

Jazz Age: Approx. 1.25” x 3” x 1.5” Oak, tooled leather, acrylic paint, cotton/poly upholstery fabric, waxed polyester cord, glass.  Original poem and abstract appliques celebrate a Jazz Age nightclub. Private collection. 

Glass Flowers: Approx. 3” x 2” x 1.25” Tooled leather, bone, acrylic paint, polyester fabric, waxed polyester cord, glass beads. Topic: glass beads embroidered on translucent fabric evoke flowers strewn on water. Private collection. Inch Square Books (5): Approx. 1” x 1” x 1” Aromatic red cedar, blank white cotton rag pages, red waxed polyester thread, basswood and glass bead closures. Private collection.

Shangri La: Approx. 4.25” x 4.25” x 1.25” closed.  Origami map-fold construction of hand-painted, embroidered, beaded linen with covers of applique fabric and needlepoint.  Seam edges finished with turquoise waxed polyester cord fringes and glass beads. Topic: an imaginary Himalayan valley in autumn. University of Pittsburgh, Library Special Collection.

 

Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts 2010 Awards Ribbons (17) 4” x 16” (1) 5” x 20” A sample of the 18 ribbons created for different award categories. Pieced linen and cotton appliqué with laser-jet printed maps and text, beaded accents. Theme: Sunset skies in central Arizona.

This was the first year I made these ribbons, and became utterly addicted to the process. Fortunately for me, the Festival and its artists seem to enjoy the ribbons as much as I love making them.

Road Trip: Approx. 4”x 5”x 2” closed, 4”x 44” open.  Nylon shadow-applique pages, leather, porcelain, acrylic paint, polyester thread , glass beads, oak pin closures.  Inside cover text:  ‘A winter journey through southern Colorado.’  Theme: hand-cut applique designs trace a road trip from home to the mountains. University of Denver, Penrose Library, Special Collections.

Permafrost: Approx.  2.25” x 2.25” x 1”  Marbled and white Lucite acrylic, linen, ramie, digitally-printed cotton, polyester thread, glass beads. Text:  “Permafrost:  A Lament /A layer of soil that remains frozen year-round, locking away/ carbon dioxide, methane, and water/ Hold back early spring/ Frozen brown earth traps an ancient poison/ This book is made of, or with, hydrocarbons/ Nylon spun from crude oil/ Linen processed by coal-derived Hungarian electricity/ Italian Lucite designer belt buckles/ And glass smelted in Chinese furnaces/ Pretty, isn’t it?/ Marian Crane 2007”   University of Pittsburgh, Library Special Collections