Altered Art

Earlier this week I taught an altered book workshop to 58 high school students and so I decided to create a sample out of a child's board book whose spine was broken.  My theme was Gratitude...kind of a mini version of the Gratitude Project I'm currently working on. 

Because ravens are a messenger, I thought they would be a nice addition to my cover, kind of nudging me to remember to focus on those things that give me utmost pleasure and are the most important things to me.  The first page reminds me to breathe, dream, create, I was born a dreamer and am grateful to still be one now.  The second is an ode to the value of home (and family) and to the mountains I am privileged to see daily.  Page three is a favorite quote:

There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action.  And because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique.  And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost.  The world will not have it.  It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions.  It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open...whether you choose to take an art class, keep a journal, record your dreams, dance your story or live each day from your own creative source. ~ Martha Graham

Page four includes one of my favorite things, to drink a cup of tea and enjoy the moment in rest, silence and peace.  Page five includes a tag from my yogi tea which I saved months ago, 'I am beautiful, I am bountiful, I am blissful.'  And finally, page six is my interpretation of faith and includes Mary Magdalene along with Aboriginal and Celtic symbols that have meant so much to me.

I enjoyed this project so much I can certainly envision creating more of these in the future.