Altered Book Project: When Only Slow Will Do

23/4/2014

Landscape of Then and Now
Mixed Media Altered Book Spread 19.7 x 38.8 cm
© CherryJeffs 2014

Sometimes when there is an incipient creative block brewing, taking the first step on a ‘What if I…?’ idea is just the thing for heading it off.

I always turn to my altered book when I feel lost - either emotionally or artistically. It is my ‘slow’ project. It doesn’t aim to arrive anywhere (other than that one day, the book will be full); it has no deadline; no purpose other than to return to the very essence of the sacred act of creation. Some pages aren’t even shared publicly.

When I work in my altered book, the world recedes and I remember what it feels like to make art only for me.

Since the death of my Mum last month, I have been finding it difficult to return to my work in progress with it’s tone of light-hearted whimsy. Inspired by the work of Mexican illustrator, Gabriel Pacheco, it occurred to me that I might begin a series of monochrome pieces with just an accent of colour. The idea must have taken root because I found myself following that brief for this altered book page.

See: More altered book pages

Ponder and Comment:

What act of creation do you do just for yourself? If there isn’t one, might it be time to begin?
What idea has been niggling away at your subconscious lately that you might start to put into action today?

Follow WildC's board Monochrome on Pinterest.

2 Comments

robyn link

23/4/2014 06:41:54 am

Hi Cherry, I've been thinking about you. The thing I do just for myself, especially when I'm feeling low is to work on my quote journal. It feels very personal and therapeutic. Sometimes I jot down a few ideas and "play" with collages in the journal and invariably I end up reading through it and feeling inspired. My niggling idea has been brewing for over a year and I'm finally (over the last 10 days or so) placing elements on the wood, trying to work out how I am going to proceed. I'm not pushing myself.... though I think it's time to do so.

Cherry Jeffs link

25/4/2014 04:38:20 am

Thanks for thinking of me Robyn! I'm always following your strands around the web so you are never far from my thoughts either. I can always spot a Robyn 'pin' or tumblr entry on my feed without needing to check it's yours ;)

Yes, your quote journal has been around along as my altered book. Maybe we'll get together one day n our old age and mull over them together :)

Look forward to seeing how your seed idea grows! Always a treat to see you exploring a different avenue.

Altered Book Project: When Only Slow Will Do

Sometimes when there is an incipient creative block brewing, taking the first step on a ‘What if I…?’ idea is just the thing for heading it off.

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