Birds & Words

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Collection Folio - CC3C#23

Hey, there Artist Friends!  What a week!  I truly hope you all enjoy this challenge as much as I have.  This time we're going to alter Tim's awesome Collection Folio.  You'll find this one on page 34 of Compendium of Curiosities III, which you really must own.  No, really.  You've got to own it.

Just to be sure you include everything you need to be be eligible to win, please visit Linda Ledbetter's blog for your guidelines.  Be sure and visit all the Curiosity Crew blogs and leave a little love!!  We sure appreciate it and appreciate you participating in these challenges with us!!

Our generous sponsors for this challenge are Inspiration Emporium and Tim Holtz.    IE has a $50 gift certificate for a lucky randomly chosen winner and the Curiosity Crew Choice will receive a fabulous collection of Tim Holtz signature products donated by Tim & Mario for these challenges.   Everyone has a chance to win!!

All that being said....   Wanna play?  Let's go!!

I sit before you exhausted, but happy.  I don't know if I've ever worked so hard on an art project.  The possibilities know no bounds when it comes to Collection Folio.  I had a plan in my head for this challenge.  But everything, EVERY thing changed when I heard about a new book from the beloved Harper Lee.  To Kill a Mockingbird has long been a literary treasure for me and for many people.  When I heard the news of a new publication (its not really a "new" book, but rather a manuscript that predated the writing of Mockingbird), I knew instantly my love for To Kill a Mockingbird had to be the focus of this challenge for me.  My passion took over!

This blog will have more pictures and text than most of my posts, so please forgive my self indulgence and join me in celebrating this great book!

My passion for this theme made this project both easier and harder.  Easier because there are so many iconic images, ideas and symbols associated with this book that I had an abundance of material to work with.  Harder because this book and this author are so important to me that everything had to be just right.  I worked and reworked tags, elements, messaging, over and over.  Truthfully, I wish I had another week (MONTH) to work on this, and I may continue to work on it after the challenge is posted.  But it is truly satisfying to work very hard at your art and this one brought me great joy.
The cover includes many essential symbols from the book, and even includes a "miniature" of the book itself, which I describe below.  This project is absolutely full of symbols.  If you've read this book, and most of us who attended school in the U.S. have, you'll recognize many of these symbols.  I encourage you to click on photos in this blog and see some closer pics and so see some of the subtler messages from TKAM, interpreted through mixed media.

I used a paperback copy of the book and tore pages and quotes to use strategically.  I made a small "book" by gluing bits of the pages to Wendy Vecchi's Clearly for Art Blackout.  I stamped an open book stamp from B Line Designs, cut out three of these images, and then heated them.
I thought I had a better picture, but you can see above in the top right a little form I created.  I used two paint brushes and taped down a scrap of card stock over them to form an open book shape.  After heating Clearly for Art, I laid the soft modeling film on my form and held it till it cooled.  I did this with all three layers, glued them together with Glue n Seal and then clipped them till they dried.

My project is essentially a story board of the story.  I used sticky notes to prepare my layout and the images I would need to find.  Even though I freely borrowed pictures from the movie, my project is really focused on the book and my appreciation for this wonderful work of literature.
This whole project proved really difficult to photograph.  I've tried to give you a shot of the open flaps and layers and then a close up of each page as its revealed.  Thanks to my sweet huz, Rick, for a couple of extra hands holding things open while I photograph.  
Below is a close up of a woodgrain tag with some of the trinkets Boo Radley left for Scout and Jem in the tree in front of the Radley house.
Jem, Dill and Scout.  When the book begins, Scout is 6 years old.
One of many inspiring passages.

The next page introduces the relationship between Scout and her father, Atticus, and to Harper Lee herself.   The book was published in 1960 and is set in fictional Macomb, Alabama.  This shot was taken near that date.  Harper Lee's first name is Nelle, which is what her family and close friends still call her.  And she still lives in Monroe, Alabama, where she grew and which inspired the setting for her book.
I wanted to include mockingbird symbols, birds, feathers, etc., on characters that I think represent that in the book.  Tom Robinson is one.  Oh, by the way.  All birds in this Collection Folio are mockingbirds.  Even the ones that don't look like it.  Artistic license.  ;-)


Incredibly, the opposite side of the flash cards for "brave father" say "little glory".  This image of Atticus leaving the court room defeated but honored, incorporated that sentiment well.
This is one of the most moving passages in the whole book for me.




 My book closes with a modern day picture of Nelle.
And my blog closes the way I think might please our author, with her words.  These are the closing sentences of To Kill a Mockingbird.  I'll let them speak.

46 comments:

  1. Wow Cheryl, your passion for this project really shows here, what a magnificent folio!! You have really captured the essence of the book and I just love all the related elements you included! Perfect choice of excerpts too! A fantastic project from front to back! hugs :)

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  2. Cheryl...I am speechless and you KNOW that doesn't happen often! This folio is simply stunning! As I told Susan In my comment to her, your folio tells such an amazing story. I love how you have designed each page, with all of the different shapes and sizes; setting the stage for each beautiful photograph, each remembrance of the original book. I have not seen that classic movie in years but now I want to see it again!! Absolutely firgeous work, Cheryl. Worth every minute you devoted to it!

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  3. This is a wonderful tribute to a book you clearly love. I have seen the movie countless times but never read the book. I think it is time I did.

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  4. Cheryl this is amazing. I love it. I love it more because I remember how excited you were even to plan this and it still shows. It turned out way cooler than I imagined. Great piece.

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  5. Cheryl, this is fantastic! What a totally special and unique Folio. I love it! So many great details.... love how you focused on the text with the frame stickers and all the great pics you included.

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  6. Cheryl, this is fantastic! What a totally special and unique Folio. I love it! So many great details.... love how you focused on the text with the frame stickers and all the great pics you included.

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  7. Your imagination is unparalleled! LOVE how you can spin a story, and you've brought this to life! What a super cool folio and so dang fun. Loved how you planned it all out...great tips!

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  8. i have not seen or read this and you have so made me want to do both with this beautifully creative tribute!!

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  9. Absolutely love your take on the folio! July 14, is the release date for Go Tell the Watchman. It has some of the same characters as TKAM and is set in the 1950's. Harper Lee wrote it before TKAM, but the manuscript got lost and was just recently found. I hope you'll get it and enjoy it just as much. Thanks for inspiring us with this FABULOUSLY novel idea! (pun intended...ha-ha!)
    LeAnn

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    1. Oopsie...correct title is Go Set a Watchman... I thought it didn't sound right when I wrote that. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy reading it. I can hardly wait for my copy. LeAnn

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  10. Cheryl your joy and passion shine through in this portfolio. So well thought out. Love the snippets (and little mini) of the book. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Your use of the folio to tell the story give a whole way to do a book report!! I'm pitching this to my daughter!!! Your concept is incredible!!! Love both the book and the movie!!

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  12. Wow this is a real testament to the book you love. I can see how much you enjoyed making it. It is difficult to know what to put and what to leave out. Great work, especially as I here the author is writing another book this year. Jan x

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  13. Cheryl this is just stunning!! I love the idea of it, what an amazing tribute to one of the most wonderful books of all times!! I have read it many times, (the first time when I was a teenager many moons ago) and just last week I saw a stunning drama performance based on the book! A wonderful project and a wonderful tribute to a book with such powerful messages!

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  14. Oh, Cheryl, what an amazing tribute to a well-loved classic book. I have to tell you: Jamie read it last year in her sophomore year in high school and absolutely LOVED it. Was totally absorbed by it, and couldn't stop talking about it every day until she finished it. She told me just the other day that when she has children, she's going to name them Atticus and Scout. I can't wait to show her your post. It's fantastic!!

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    1. Thanks, Annette. Love it that TKAM still appeals to a new generation. Way to go, Jamie!

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  15. What an intriguing post this is! Cheryl. Love the story about the story and the folio is totally amazing! Love it!

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  16. Beautiful project ! I love the tiny book on the front, it looks demensional. All the cool details and pieces from the book add up to SPECTACULAR !!!

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  17. Cheryl, this folio is absolutely amazing! I love your creativity with this theme that has inspired you so much! I can tell it was an absolutely fabulous labor of love! One of my favorite details was the little book you created with B Line's book stamp and Clearly for Art! That was such a clever way to to create it! Incredible job!

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  18. Beautiful tribute to a a great book/movie and a interesting twist to an altered book concept, but the other way around :-)
    Just amazing. Thanks for sharing it

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  19. Beautiful, Cheryl! Simply Beautiful!! Harper Lee would be very proud of your tribute to her book!! Completely Amazing!! XOXO-Shari

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  20. From one book lover to another-you nailed it! I can't even express how wonderful this is. The simple color scheme lets the beauty and power of the words shine.

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  21. Cheryl, I love that you dedicated your folio to your most loved read. You did a fabulous job laying out the story along with those amazing photos. I know what you mean about the subject matter being so important to you that you had to get it just right. That tells us much about your integrity--bravo!

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  22. Cheryl, I love that you dedicated your folio to your most loved read. You did a fabulous job laying out the story along with those amazing photos. I know what you mean about the subject matter being so important to you that you had to get it just right. That tells us much about your integrity--bravo!

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  23. What an awesome celebration of the book you love; this is totally amazing. The pages, the photos and all the Tim goodness throughout... just amazing !

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  24. I can really see that this was a labour of love Cheryl, it really is a magnificent folio and how wonderful to dedicate it to a favourite book. I love the passages you have chosen from the book and all the wonderful elements you have added. Not at all surprised you were exhausted doing this - it really is one to treasure! Anne x

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  25. I can really see that this was a labour of love Cheryl, it really is a magnificent folio and how wonderful to dedicate it to a favourite book. I love the passages you have chosen from the book and all the wonderful elements you have added. Not at all surprised you were exhausted doing this - it really is one to treasure! Anne x

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  26. I can really see that this was a labour of love Cheryl, it really is a magnificent folio and how wonderful to dedicate it to a favourite book. I love the passages you have chosen from the book and all the wonderful elements you have added. Not at all surprised you were exhausted doing this - it really is one to treasure! Anne x

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  27. Simply amazing, so much detail, so many wonderful bits and bobs to look at. So so beautiful, thank you for sharing it with us all.

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  28. Yet another cool use of this folio! I loved the angle you took, it made for a super special book about a book.

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  29. Yet another cool use of this folio! I loved the angle you took, it made for a super special book about a book.

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  30. One of my favorite books (and films as well! ) This is a wonderful tribute to them both, and to the author. .. I wish I had the imagination you have to create such a beautiful booklet!

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  31. Love your folio Cheryl! I am embarrassed to say that I made it through all my high school and college years without reading this classic. Your passion for the book radiates from the pages of your folio. I will have to pick up a copy...or better yet, borrow my daughter's book.

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  32. I love your passion for TKAM!! Your folio is stunning...and thank you for the close-ups of the cascading part; I wasn't sure how to attach it/fold it...

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  33. This is really beautiful. Very classical and elegant, great work.

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  34. Cheryl, this is just amazing. A true work of literary art! Thank you for sharing this with us.

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  35. Love the story behind this and love how you were inspired by the book pages and I love that you used pages too. A true labour of love and something to be truly cherished. Tracy x

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  36. I love this movie! It reminds me so many things, I watched with my mum when I was a little girl, when television had only two channels without color, black and white! Your folio is gorgeous and totally original! I love your work so much, it left me speechless! BArbarayaya

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  37. Cheryl, how wonderful and I love your use of the large photos.

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  38. Such a beautiful tribute folio! The whole mood of the folio is in line with the book and is so interesting to look at! This is such a work of art! Like a collection of things from the author's desk and pockets of the characters. So amazing!

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  39. I love that movie!! TCM played it twice in the past 2 months & I was able to catch it both times. What a wonderful scrap tribute to this classic!!! Beautiful!!! I love the B& W mode!

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  40. This gives me so many ideas and it's such a great way to pay tribute to something you love. Way, way cool Cheryl!!!

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  41. This gives me so many ideas and it's such a great way to pay tribute to something you love. Way, way cool Cheryl!!!

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  42. This gives me so many ideas and it's such a great way to pay tribute to something you love. Way, way cool Cheryl!!!

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