I learned about Carla Sonheim from my friend and fellow-artist Priscilla Read and I simply could not resist trying her Junk Mail Artist’s Book class! In just five lessons at Silly U I am turning junk mail — the stuff usually tossed straight into the recycle bin — into a book. I can’t see a down side to this project.
Each lesson begins with a drawing exercise designed to get us ready to draw in the book by lesson 4. Here is a one-line drawing I did — no lifting the pen from the paper until the drawing is finished. (Click on image for larger view.) These exercises are not intended to be cherished art — they are simply warm-up drawings.
The painting comes next. Using a brayer, a thick layer of gesso is applied to both sides. Viola! Great texture.
Then both sides are painted with 2 layers of watercolor paint — 2 different colors.
When everything is dry, the pages are turned into a book, ready for drawings. Here’s the cover.
Note that the pages are irregularly shaped and sized. Pages 2, 3: (Click on the image for a better view.)
This means that the drawings will overlap onto pages underneath! Very exciting. Pages 4, 5
Pages 6, 7
Pages 8, 9
Pages 10, 11
The back.
Now the real fun and challenge begins. Here is my first drawing on pages 2-3. Notice that the top and bottom of the sunflower extends to the page behind it — page 5.
The partial sunflower petals at the top of page 5 inspired the dinosaur.
I have no idea yet what the tail of the dinosaur or the stem of the sunflower will inspire, but something will come to me.
This is a very different way of drawing and painting for me and it’s just plain fun. So, back to drawing, then the final lesson. Stay tuned, there’s bound to be another layer of surprise.
Lovely and very exciting where it will take you. Is it A4 paper size (for the largest piece)?
The largest page in this book is 8 x 10 1/2″; the smallest 7 1/4 x 7″. The more random the sizes and shapes the better. Each page was folded to reinforce the ‘binding’ edge; some were folded in both directions.
Fun! I use catalogues that come through the post (so often uninvited) for something similar. Saves on sketchbooks 😉
It does save on sketchbooks but, more than that, it’s a different way of developing ideas. I’m really having fun with that portion of the challenge.
Holy cow! I love this! What a great variety of techniques ….and cheap art supplies! LOL!
I really love all the texture that you’ve achieved. And the dinosaurs!
Who knew, huh? I’m definitely looking at the junk mail with a new eye. I have some left-over pages that I can’t seem to part with. I may have to create another one of these just to work with the drawing challenge again.
I am loving this, Franki!
Me too! I can’t wait to see what I come up with for the pages. This is not something that one can plan out ahead of time.
Love your pages and how the flower petals on one page became a dinosaur on another. Very cool!
Thanks Priscilla! I must admit that my current work with Sketchbook Skool has informed my creativity a lot! I won’t say it’s making it easy but there’s certainly a better flow.
I was using calendars and upscale magazines for their art work when trying to jazz up greeting cards cut with my Cricut. I don’t feel badly at all when I toss out the remnants of the magazines anymore. I hadn’t thought of simple painting. Great idea!
Yes, you can really change the look of it, customize it for your project. Pretty fun.
Like this stuff a lot, Franki!
Thanks Sherry. Really new for me and fun.
Have been making handmade notecards out of junk mail postcards using your technique. Am still having a ball doing them. Lately, I am bundling several to give as gifts and the recipients are tickled to have them!
Also, I did the drawing exercise with 2 different sized postcards and gave the “starter” to a friend to finish. I love her result! This would be an easy exercise for an art group.
Yeah Liz, you go! This technique is so fun and recycles those pieces of mail you didn’t want in the first place. A real win/win. Gifting them is a terrific idea too. Using this as an exercise for an art group — a natural! I like the way you think. Thanks for sharing your success with me.