ZNE Book of the Month Club

Do you love art books? Do you have several ( lol) on your shelf, and you've only looked at the pictures? Have you been meaning to try out some of the projects and techniques? Do you find that your spouse or significant other, or other family members are really tired of saying, "Oh, that's nice!" in response to your asking "Well, what do you think?" As you hold up your latest creation, beaming, and waiting for their glowing response?

I think the dumbest thing I do ( well one of the dumbest, we won't make a list here, today, anyway) is show my dh a stack of ATCs or cards or dresses from a swap, and then ask him "Dear, which one do you think is the best?" He knows it is really code for "Pick mine out of this batch, buddy!" and that he is doomed!

So join us in the ZNE BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB. Each month, or so, we work together through an art book. This month is Kaleidoscope by Suzanne Simanaitis. Each week there will be an assignment posted from the featured book. It will include reading a selection, a writing prompt and an art project. Maybe an extra credit assignment! Then you post your response to the prompts and post photos or scans of your art. We discuss ideas and each other's responses and work on the ZNE Book Club Boards, and then those are edited and posted to the ZNE BOOK CLUB BLOG.

It's a great way to try out new ideas. techniques, meet new friends, and get feedback from someone besides your relatives.

I have been given the opportunity to be, as Chel describes on the Book Club Blog, "The Fabulous Assignment Coordinator" (I'm pretending that Fabulous is included in the title or perhaps she means the assignments are fabulous, nonetheless, I shall use it anyway!!)

You can sign up for the Book Club on the Book Club Blog. There is a special deal for those who were in the last selection's session, so check out the Discussion Boards. Every participant will get a "Party Favor", admission to the ZNE Book Club Room ( Discussion forum, just for registered participants, a coordinated collage kit from the ZNE STORE, and $10 of your entrance fee will go to Bernie Berlin's " A Place To Bark"

Many of you know Bernie Berlin as the fabulous mixed media artist and author of "Artist Trading Card Workshop"

Hope to see you in the Book Room. We go "Live" on Monday, July 7, 2008.


Extra Thanks go to: Claudine Hellmuth for the kind permission to use her artwork, above.

Collage Lost & Found

Another fun project for the ZNE Book Club. We're currently "altering" our way thru "Collage Lost and Found" by Giuseppina Cirincione. Creating unique projects with vintage ephemera.

This piece measures about 3 by 6 and features a tranfered image of my mom and her brother cira 1937 or so, my mom would have been about 15. I've used this image on several other projects. I love their "stand up and smile at the camera looks" on their faces. They are standing on a box of some sort in front of a wooden fence or wall, well weathered. ( The fence, they were too young to be weathered. They look like they are happy and content, but I think they had a pretty hard life, by today's standards. I like the quote from an old "Red Pepper Burns" Book..."Doing well, everything satisfactory, and I've not a care in tnhe world." Ahhhh ... to live so simply!

And even more exciting.....in July...for the ZNE Book CLub, I get to lead the book club, and will update the ZNE Book Club blog. What an exciting opportunity. I can't wait to get started. Our book for July will be Kaleidoscope by suzanne simanaitis, ideas and projects to Spark YOUR Creativity. It is written in the style of an Art ZINE and very different from any art book I have seen recently. Topics will include...passionately curious? Identity, mark making, Sanctuary, Imagination, Reinvention, & Obstacles.

Be sure to sign up , so you don't miss out on this adventure. You can sign up here "ZNE BOOK CLUB" proceeds from the book club entry fees go to help support A Place To Bark

"A PLACE TO BARK is a no kill foster and adoption rescue, in Portland , TN, dedicated to the welfare of animals. Established in 2001, we mainly work with Animal Control Agencies, rescue animals from high kill shelters and foster them till they are healthy. This provides the best possible situation, for the animals. They are then placed for adoption through Humane Societies in various parts of the country. We cover all costs for the medical care of the animals with no cost to the Humane Societies they are going to. We also do some private adoptions after a strict screening process. " A PLACE TO BARK is operated by Bernie Berlin a mixed media artist and author of several books including Artist TRading Card workshop.

Check back and see what's happening!!!!