Since summer 2010, I have been working on a pretty large body of watercolor paintings.  I have also been spending time working on books like these ones.(Please contact me if you are looking for a custom designed book, or just a really inspiring journal. angelablack@randompaperandfabric.com)

I use the word lightly really. Throes.  But we do and are a hearty person that lives in the great white tundra. It can be a struggle!  As an artist, my “mission bags”  become harder to move around… it gets us all cooped up with so many amazing ideas…. we hermit…. we make THINGS happen. I look around and see so much clearer with the snow.  All the black lines making everything so graphic and beautiful… This year of 2011 really seems to be coming in fast.  Everything is happening early.  Spring is here?  I know so many of my fellow artists and business friends, ALL, in the midst of renewal.   There seems to be forward movement in the air, like every ones dreams are all coming true.

Since Christmastime a few inspiring “Happenings” for myself and Random Paper and fabric…..

Besides my dedication to spending quality time on my art books, and watercolor and Ink body of work…..

I have started teaching my two courses up at UNB, watercolor for beginners and advanced bookbinding.  My students are all keen and interested in what’s to come, some of them were pretty shocked when they realized that they were going to be making such an amazing book (raised cord, wood cover, leather bound).  The students in my watercolor class are all very open and relaxed, and a LOT better artists than they think!! We all are.  I find Teaching really challenges me to find the balance between teaching theory and intuitiveness.  Also, I am instructing for Fredericton Arts and Learning, working with women and children at Liberty Lane…. It feels good to work with people in transition, its a great reminder of how all life is a transition.

I finally was able to get out to another event at Gallery Connexion… since the last Small Press Fair….  The show opening was  The Degradation of Ourselves, a beautiful…. well, not so beautifully brilliant insider view of what it was like to work in a slaughterhouse.  I went to the opening and almost lost my supper.  The artist was successful.  The event I went to last week was the ARTIST CARD trading!! it was truly amazing and right up my alley!!! (scroll down in posts to see more prayer cards….) 58 artists came with 58 art cards and we all swapped.  It felt a little like youthful valentine’s cards mixed with a Yankee swap!  It was truly delightful and so well received.  Thank you local artists for being so creative. (I still have all of my cards displayed on the island.  I wonder how long Brian will let me keep them there? who am I kidding… the piles of art are just beginning)

This weekend I am off to A.C.T.S a trade show in Halifax.  A first for Random Paper and Fabric, but a step forward.  While I know that the want to mass produce is “limited”, I know that the wholesale market in a small way will benefit my life and mix it up a bit.  Its finding the balance.  I am excited to network and meet new artists.  I will be very pleased if I get just one account.  I have been successful with being represented locally by ReNue Boutique and then at local art markets and festivals.  It seems pretty sweet to be able to keep business as personal as possible. And if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Soon to come new photos of the past years work in bookbinding, I had a good friend Mike Erb take them.  I cannot wait!

Hope your all blissing out in this snow storm….

Angela

In the midst of all of this hustle and bustle I am grateful for the stillness in my heart.   What was once a seriously mangled and broken heart is right now a joyfully swollen heart.  I think about him ALL of the time, yes I do…..  I wonder if my family and friends do too?  I wonder if they know how much I think about him…. I wonder if they know how fortunate they are to have their kids around this Christmas? Or kids at all for that matter.  I cannot see that missing him will ever go away and these first holidays I know will seem a bit dull without him.  I pray that the comfort stays here in my heart…. when its gone the wackness is hardly bearable.  Being late getting to Turkey dinner today made me wonder how late we would be if we had a baby in tow. I won’t be able to use the baby as an excuse. Brian says that right now the death of his son is constantly on his mind…… its hard to be the jolly christmastime that it usually is.  And that is ok.  Thankfully we have our wits about us enough to have planned a really low key Christmas and are truly thankful for a no pressure season….. and a very supportive family. I have HOPE and I have PEACE….. There IS JOY and no shortage of Love ever!!!! Jesus Christ….. yes.  This picture is of one of my gifts.  A pop-up book…… Peter Pan.  Forever Young.  Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Prayer Cards start as one large sheet of watercolor wash, representing that we are all ONE and part of one whole.  Then a carving is made and stamped multiple times over the surface of the watercolor painting.  After that they are all cut and separated from the whole.  Each card finds its way into the hands of random individuals and then become reminders of each prayer.  Here are the most recent editions of prayer cards that I have made.  To date I think there have been about 10 editions and something like 1000 of these little guys have been born. The card above is a Marriage Prayer for Aeron and Tibor who made it official on October 30th.  The image here represents the dance of two partners.  Aeron and Tibor are among some of the most amazing people I know and I hope for the best for these two and send mad love their way!!!  I love you and your little family!!! Horray for your new baby Lila Leonard who was born on November 23rd. The Card below is the Job Ruby Prayer, for my son who was born on October 5, 2010 and was not breathing.  Stillborn.  This image represents the passing of days (2 suns, and stars) which signifies healing and transformation. I have not had as great sadness as I have in the past 2 months…… and have realized now, at age 28 that this won’t be the only loss and sadness in my life.  Although I am constantly being told that I am STRONG and a source of strength, full of GRACE, and Unwavering…… my heart is broken and I cry every time I think of another Mom (and Dad) about to embark on this very same journey. “They” say that no parent should ever bury their child.  Well, I think that “They” should stop saying that.  Death is as normal and as beautiful as birth I promise you that.  And if your child died tomorrow you would feel this too.I have been blessed by this fire and knew it the second my Son’s heart stopped beating.During this time I am finding myself being more still than I EVER have in my life. Meditating and praying about the inevitable days to come.  I am still alive.  So I will live as best I can.  I am concentrating on my ART healing everything…. it seems to be working out so far.

Here is a booth shot from one of my favorite festivals this year….. I attended 5 or so Arts Festivals this summer while being pregnant.  My Baby Boy really loved all of the action and we got to spread the good local craft all over the maritimes.  A lot of time this past few months has been spent designing custom special books for weddings, babies, and personalized inspiration journals……… find more photos on Facebook or e-mail me at angelablack@randompaperandfabric.com

Just a little advance notice for you lovelies….. I will be teaching this binding in the new year @ UNB for their extended learning program.  Tuesday Evenings (during cozy winter time…..) 6:30-8:30.Start planning in advance that sacred text you have always wanted to bind!! For more pictures of this particular binding check out my photo albums…. or check out the last post for a good example….If you have any questions…. just ask!angelablack@randompaperandfabric.comwww.randompaperandfabric.com and find me on Facebook

Hardbound books galore….Probably because I have been devoted to updating my “Facebook” page over the last year….. Please find me there if your on the book, I would love to be your friend! or send me an e-mail angelablack@randompaperandfabric.com

Yay I choreographed this Stage ART!  A 40 ft collaboration with a few artists…. Emily Harris, Zach Lang, and Gabrielle Mills…… We sat down together and came up with the concept together….. we wanted to be visionary and our main objective was to worship the sun and moon, thank you God, mother Earth and the Universe for everything that we have.  LOVe.

Evolve had its first ArtShow ever, we raised money for the Lyell Cook Scholarship Fund.  A lot of Evolvers brought art to show, and many of them sold work.  I am extremely happy about this and cannot wait until we can have another @ Sunseekers Ball in Chance Harbor, New Brunswick at the end of the month.