This is tiny.  Each of the two pages measures 4″x4″, the images within about 3″x3″.

It is an altered book, artist’s book, encaustic on Plaster of Paris, eco print, collage.

When it’s finished I will have added stitch and more collage. I will have upcycled recycled more materials and it will include a variety of techniques.

Some of the processes involved are lengthy. The eco prints from which the images originate took two weeks to develop.  That’s why I’m working so small at the moment. See what works. Then move gradually onto bigger pieces.

That way the content of my waste bin isn’t more precious than finished works.

I didn’t think this piece was going to work. Two nights ago what I had produced, I didn’t like. I left it overnight. I trusted the process. In the morning it looked totally different.

Perception is a funny thing. Either that, or elves were at work during the night.

Maybe it’s something to do with Christmas. I’m reading William Horwood’s The Willows at Christmas. For the first time. It’s a great tale. Full of moral ethics. Horwood always does a marvellous job of recreating the Wind in the Willows characters. Here, we find Mole, Ratty, Otter and Badger having to save Mr Toad yet again. He adds two new characters: Miss Bugle and Mrs Ffleshe.  One’s a goodie, the other’s a baddie. I think you’ve already guessed which is which.

The contrast Horwood has drawn between these two female characters is an education. I must remember contrast in developing my own characters. I must remember to ask myself: How do my characters contrast with each other?  Then there’s the question of light and shade within each one. Characters – and people – little balls of energy all knotted-up in harmony and dissonance, each fighting for dominance.

The book is illustrated by the illustrious Patrick Benson.

I often read and re-read children’s literature. I’m not ashamed of reading kids’ books. I bet there are lots of adult readers of children’s fiction out there.

This work in progress is an altered book, a discarded children’s board book.

How about you? Do you read kiddies’ books? Fess up and let me know your favourites.