Sunday, February 19, 2012

The ABC's of Patterns..... K




K for KNOT...

It has been a while since I posted any pages from this little book I designed and made a few years ago..
...an Alphabet book of Patterns...

endless... no beginning... no end... eternal...
 on and on and on...
 Celtic knots also had this same element... 
smooth sailing... tight corners...

rather like life with it twists and turns....  and repetition of events





I cut the endless Knot from heavy watercolor paper ...  
...attached colored paper behind  making the image stand out...

 I remember how much I loved doing this project..  at first it seemed daunting,
then the more I thought and researched  and drew up ideas of  what could represent each letter 
and how I could  do the cutwork for each of them... 
it was like working out a puzzle... it was hard  to stop...
some were easier than others but it eventually all came together.






Years earlier, our Logo  "Becoming One"  evolved as a sort of endless Knot... with this eternal feel  ...
 twining  interwoven bodies...maybe a little medieval...


John hand-cut my logo design from Copper... it is about 7" - 8" across...
 ... we patinated it to this lovely verdigris color... 
which was then attached to the top of each of our Jewelry display stands ...
I  like the mottled effect...  it reminds me of old copper roof tops.






... our little black and white image appears at the top of each of our DESIDERATUM Art Jewelry Cards.

going backwards from J.


approx. 6" x 7" x 1"... ...handbound... hardcover


19 comments:

Lynne with an e said...

Having known and loved (and bought) your quirky and original and finely crafted earrings for many many years, and always admired even the stand on which the jewellery is displayed, it's a wonderful discovery to find other expressions of your artistic talents through your blog. I am constantly amazed at your patience and attention to detail and your gift for design. If I had attempted to create such a finely crafted book as your book of Celtic letters I'm afraid I would have ended up slitting my wrists, either by accident or design.
I doff my beret to you!

Oldfool said...

I am your student.
I sit at your feet to learn.
It may be that my meager efforts at creating are only to prepare me to appreciate your work. If that is so it is enough.

Carol Steel said...

Every time I read a new post and learn a litle more about you, I affirm that the world is a better place beacuse you are in it. You spread beauty and wonder and inspiration, and make the complicated look easy...I know it isn't. Thank you for sharing this and for being you!

Guillaume said...

I love Celtic art. It's great to see you blogging again.

Penny said...

There are so many things I wish I had known about before arthritis decided to rear its ugly head and make my hands unsteady and at times almost unusable. Such lovely cuts.

Valerianna said...

Absolutely LOVE the alphabet book, beautiful. I went back to look at the other pages, love seeing the inspiration as well.

ArtPropelled said...

Your alphabet book always intrigues and your printing on each page is beautiful too.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Louciao, Thank you.. You are too funny.. But I have seen your creative abilities and you can't fool me...

OF, Right back at you... you inspire me every time I visit.. your honesty, observation and wit are pure talent. Have you thought about stepping in where George Carlin left that big empty hole.. You would fill it to overflow...

Carol, You are too generous... Thank you.. everything is a series of little steps isn't it.... and eventually we have a whole..

Guillaume, oh to have been alive when the beginnings of Celtic art was forming..

Gwen Buchanan said...

Oh Penny, I know what you mean about our bodies playing nasty tricks on us.. it is not fair in the slightest.. sometimes it's hard to grin and bear it...

Valerianna, That's the problem.. everything relates to something and then it starts all over again...

Thank you Robyn, It would be exciting to do a bound book again.. .. if there were several more days in each week...

Cuidado said...

I've always loved your logo, Gwen and your attention to detail. Hope all is well.

pauline said...

Omigod Gwen, i was thrilled to see this post!! i LOVE LOVE handmade books, and these few pages are incredible. And your logo... LOVE it. Yes, certainly medieval. The book is beautiful... ok, i'm gonna check out your other pattern pages now. xoxo

pauline said...

I just looked through the whole thing... Gwen, this is SO impressive! I love every letter. Do you still have this book? I'm planning a little trip your way this spring/summer and i'd LOVE to see it in person. Such a work of art... thanks for the link! xoxo

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Pauline, Yes I still have my little book and It would be lovely to meet you and show it to you.. sounds great!


Hi Cuidado, all's well on the home front...still wish there were more hours in the day or that sleep wasn't necessary. my best to you too!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you've shown your logo more fully as I've admired it since discovering your blog. The simplicity of line and design are brilliant, and I was thinking about Celtic knots too as I alighted on your Buddhist knot. Things like that give a strong sense of the similarities of apparent differences, sort of tying the whole of humanity together.

Gwen Buchanan said...

SeaFringe, I really like the way you said that.. You have a magic way with words and seeing things... Thank you!

gz said...

Hi!
Beautiful logo.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi GZ, Thanks so much!

sandy said...

Gwen - I love all your creations - and John's ...and your son's.

Beautiful!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Sandy... If we didn't pursue Art I think we would all go insane...