When I posted my butterfly book cover collage last week I started thinking about how often I choose to make them. Why? I think that if I'm feeling a little stuck or uninspired or otherwise finding that my mojo has run off, it's a reliable starting point for me. Books have always been a part of my life providing knowledge, comfort, and even an escape. Just re-reading a favorite book is like spending time with an old friend so I guess in working with book covers in my artwork I'm among friends! Sarah Engels-Greer has a terrific feature on her blog called My Mojo Monthly where she interviews an artist and gives a topic for inspiration and invites you to share your take on her theme - this month it just happens to be book covers - what a coincidence! Allow me to give you a tour of a variety of my book cover collages. In the first photo I have a collection of collages made with 7Gypsies book covers. I like distressing them with sandpaper and making them appear more vintage and worn and well-loved.
These two collages are made a little more dimensional by cutting out the centers essentially using the book covers as frames.
And then there are some of my favorites made with these book covers - faux altered books that have doors cut out that open to reveal a niche with another collage.
Lest you think that I only stick with the faux version of book covers, here's an honest to goodness actual vintage book cover collage with a wonderful purple embossed book cover as the base, and another repurposed book in which the spine was worn out. I punched holes in both the front and back book covers and inserted binder rings.
The inside of this book also puts to use old book pages that are folded into pockets and became a great place to hold favorite tags.
Thanks for reading along through my ramblings ;-)
13 comments:
Some beautiful covers there, with lots of colour and some great iamges. Love the variety. I love books too and didn't realise this was the monthly Mojo... shall have to try it. Lovely work x
These are all so very lovely. I really like the book idea. penny
Penny these are all so amazingly beautiful and lovely. I really love collage and they look just stunning on the book covers. You have chosen some really great images and bold colours which really set them off...The faux ones are wonderful but I just adore the real book - such a beautiful cover and well done for daring to cut into them and create something so unique. I love them! Fabulous work, very inspiring indeed. Thanks so much for sharing your artwork with My Mojo Monthly!
Sarah
Great cards, I really love the steampunk cards...like to make them myself too!
greetingssss, Alie :-)
Awesome books, Penny. You are very talented and creative, no doubt about it. Your 'ramblings' are great too!
All these projects are so wonderful, Penny. Anything made with old books makes my heart happy and it sure is happy now, having looked at all this inspiring artwork. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Penny, I loved your tour very much, all the things you make are looking so great, I can't imagen that you haven't a lak off inspiration ☺ You are my goeroe, so... I become inspired by your art and work!! Have a great week. Janine
I have always enjoyed seeing your book cover creations and it was great to see them all together in this post!
Penny
Books are hugely important to me and have been since as far back as I can remember. I was a shy child who loved nothing more to read (or either to be seen with colouring pencils and books) so when someone shares their love of books there is an immediate connection.
Adore each and every one because they may be romantic or Steampunk but they have in common your very special touch.
Wishes
Lynne
your projects are wonderful. what a great idea to make a book of pockets!
These are all absolutely gorgeous, Penny! Congrats on the My Mojo Monthly win!
Gorgeous artwork! Very inspiring!
greetings, Alie :-)
These are fabulous. Well done!
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