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Art of the Day: Saturday January 17, 2004

Pumpkin & Eggplant Journal

- by Kristi Schueler

This week's theme: The Artist's Book

The written word. Once only available to the few, these compilations were valued as objects as much as for content. In the 21st century, the production of books and paper has become cheap and easy. Though to many, they are treasures still. There are artists that honor and explore this fascination with books in their art. Whether through fabrication, alteration, or a combination of these, the artist-made book and its pages are a unique and beautiful form of expression.

-Melissa Morton


Art: Pumpkin & Eggplant Journal by Artist Kristi Schueler

This journal was bound for an art journal round robin in which each artist chose a color scheme for their journal. Inspired of the colors of fall in Colorado, the season when this project was first forming, I chose the deep rich purples and oranges found in the copious selection of eggplants and pumpkins at the local farmer's market. I find it to be a dynamic and luscious combination.

As a book artist, words and typography are an essential element in most of my work. I often use typography on several layers, as is the case in this piece. Even if unreadable, I feel it lends a certain spirit and energy to the piece as well as an interesting visual texture and depth. In this piece there are 5 layers of text, from the dictionary page base containing the definitions for orange and purple respectively, the dip pen written layer of the respective vegetable name, the dictionary definitions of the vegetables layered on the focal images, the torn dictionary definitions, and the painted punctuation marks. Together, all of these layers provide the title and theme of the art to be contained between the book's covers.

The covers are mixed media on canvas panels utilizing found papers, acrylic paint, digital art, and color pencils. The eight signatures inside this journal alternate between Red Earth and Twilight Canson Mi Tientes paper. The concertina holding each signature is Buff Mi Tientes paper and provides extra bulk in the spine to allow for the addition of art and epherma to the inner pages without stressing the binding. The purple waxed linen thread binding includes a combination of chain, herringbone and headband stitches. The book is housed in a cotton bag lined with purple polyester satin with draw cords of 100% wool.

This journal is currently winging around the country gathering eggplant and pumpkin art between its covers from other talented artists. Similar journals with your choice of color schemes and imagery are available by commission.


Detail Images


Detail Image for art Pumpkin & Eggplant Journal

A view of the back cover.

Detail Image for art Pumpkin & Eggplant Journal

A view of the binding.

Detail Image for art Pumpkin & Eggplant Journal

The book peeking out of the bag.

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