{ NEW Works : Available at * Troika Gallery * // Floyd, VA

I have been working hard lately to get new works to various galleries as well as keeping my Etsy shop stocked. These lovelies below are available at Troika Gallery in beautiful Floyd, VA.

{ LEAF SONG } : 4 x 3 x 1" : Front Cover View

{ LEAF SONG } : 4 x 3 x 1" : Back Cover View

{ LEAF SONG } : 4 x 3 x 1" : End Cover View

{ LEAF SONG } : 4 x 3 x 1" : Front Cover Detail View

{ LEAF CATCHER } : 3 1/2 x 6 x 1" : Spine View

{ LEAF CATCHER } : 3 1/2 x 6 x 1" : Back Cover View

{ LEAF CATCHER } : 3 1/2 x 6 x 1" : End Cover View

{ LEAF CATCHER } : 3 1/2 x 6 x 1" : Front Cover Detail View

{ WIND WHISPER } : 4 x 7 x 1" : Spine View

{ WIND WHISPER } : 4 x 7 x 1" : Back Cover View

{ WIND WHISPER } : 4 x 7 x 1" : End Cover View

{ WIND WHISPER } : 4 x 7 x 1" : Front Cover Detail View

{ FOREST FLOOR } : 8 x 6 x 1" : Spine View

{ FOREST FLOOR } : 8 x 6 x 1" : Back Cover View

{ FOREST FLOOR } : 8 x 6 x 1" : End Cover View

{ FOREST FLOOR } : 8 x 6 x 1" : Front Cover Detail View

{ FOREST PARADISE } : 10 x 5 1/4 x 1" : Spine View

{ FOREST PARADISE } : 10 x 5 1/4 x 1" : Back Cover View

{ FOREST PARADISE } : 10 x 5 1/4 x 1" : End Cover View

{ LEAF LUCK } : 6 x 3 1/2 x 1" : Spine View

{ LEAF LUCK } : 6 x 3 1/2 x 1" : Back Cover View

{ LEAF LUCK } : 6 x 3 1/2 x 1" : End Cover View

{ LEAF LUCK } : 6 x 3 1/2 x 1" : Front Cover Detail View

{ Rust Experiments : In the * Studio *} //

I have been experimenting with Rust lately. Taking evening strolls with my young daughter and collecting 'Sidewalk Treasures.'

I had no idea that there were so many choices in mordants with Rust.

I have obsessed with Alice Fox's work and recently purchased her book, Natural Processes in Textile Art.

In this book, Fox explains how the many mordants to obtain a quality Rust print.

I experimented with a variety of teas.

As well as red wine...

...and coffee.

I have been delighted with the results. I am looking forward to sewing these into my books and enhancing collages.

What about you? What are your favorite mordants for Rust? Perhaps you can join me for a weekend of Rust experiments and Bookmaking...

{ Hand Lettering : To Commit to an Art Form }

I have been hand lettering in my art journals for years. Like most people, I was intimidated by exploring my own handwriting and avoided it. I used stencils and stamps but never my own writing.

Several years ago, I was working a program of recovery and was journaling daily.

I was listening to a lot of music in my studio and way too many self help podcasts.

I abandoned both the recovery and the self help. I decided to accept myself for who I am...flaws and all.

I still journal regularly. I continue to explore my own handwriting as artistic expression and my a form of therapy and self acceptance.

How about you? Are you scared to hand letter in your art journals?

Do you use stamps, stencils, stickers or cut outs?

Care to join me in a hand lettering challenge?

I want to challenge myself to practice hand lettering and illustration daily...

...and share my daily progress as a commitment to the art of journaling...

...to grow, to heal, to become the best parent, friend and partner to all in my life.

{ Art Journal * Spread : 'Accept' }

It is long overdue for me to start sharing my art journal spreads. They have evolved over the past 15 years. I went from using journals I purchased at a local bookstore (when I was still learning that paper weight and binding were important details when adding wet paint and ephemera) to binding my own journals.

Watercolor backgrounds with lots of drips is where I have typically started...

...to finding an 'anchor image.' I typically build my pages around this particular image.

I have more paper than anyone could you in a lifetime...especially when I started making my own. That is an evolutionary process within itself...more on that later.

I love to practice hand lettering. I used to be petrified to use my own writing. I thought it would ruin the pages. I have learned over the years that my handwriting is an art form within itself and needs to celebrated. I use my art journals to practice my letter forms and feel that it enhances the pages since I can express my thoughts and feelings.

I have started adding more details to my spreads these days such as paint splatters and scribbles. I love art journaling since there is no wrong way to do something.

I have a separate journal for my Morning Pages. Another journal where I practice letter forms and yet another for sketching. I began using an altered book in my last post and continue to work in those. I have been super inspired by the journals of Dan Eldon lately and am looking forward to incorporating the massive amount of personal photos in my upcoming spreads.

My evolution continues...

{ New Works from the * Bimbur Books * Studio }

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Spine View)

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Back Cover View)

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (End Cover View)

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Front Cover Detail View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (Spine View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (Back Cover View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (End Cover View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (Front Cover Detail View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Spine View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Back Cover View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (End Cover View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Front Cover Detail View)