Time passing…

Gosh, hasn’t it been a while! Finally got a window to catch up on blogs, chats and other delicious activities that we tend to sideline a little when the pressures on.

Ok, so I have managed to shoehorn a few working days in the studio, resulting in playful activity and generally trying to remember what old books feel like. So here we are, a couple of examples of those playful days… looking forward to getting back down to some more intensive studio activity… so many ideas bubbling, so little time!

Kusudama-Flower Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Kusudama-Flower
Kusudama-Flow Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Kusudama-Flow
Kusudama-Ball Jo Howe Book Sculptures
Kusudama-Ball
Kusudama-Tower Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Kusudama-Tower

 

Olympic diversion…

Ok, so it’s been way too long away from the computer, the studio and all that is creative. I have been busy with my other hat on (coach driving) and getting the necessary pennies rolling in that doesn’t come so readily from my creative pursuits. On the plus side, I have been very caught up in the Olympic buzz with multiple trips back and forth to the Olympic Park, and surprised myself as to how much I am enjoying it and more specifically the upbeat mood that I am encountering with all the spectators.

Having a day of rest, I am able to reacquaint myself with some creative inspirations… this one I just had to share… most delicious!

Enjoy.

Much Better Now from Salon Alpin on Vimeo.

By the Book: Stanford Kay

Another great find from the creative explorer that is Artsy Forager… This one especially appeals… For obvious reasons!

Lesley's avatarArtsy Forager

I don’t always read Artist Statements but sometimes one just describes the artist’s work and vision so perfectly that I don’t feel like there is any way my words can improve upon it.  Such is the case of New York artist Stanford Kay.  His artist statement was so completely lovely, I’d like to let him speak for his own work.

“At first, there is paint and desire. Paint is applied, removed, and applied again.  It makes suggestions. It is edited without mercy. The image and the need to signify arrive later. Books as images within these paintings offer formal modernist possibilities while also serving as an embodiment of content.”

“Both paintings and books are vessels for ideas, experience and memory.  The books we read and the paintings we love and choose to live with, 
define us.  A book requires the reader to assemble images and ideas out of its signs and symbols. Likewise, a painting asks that you translate its strokes and drips into…

View original post 53 more words

Stirring the pot… waking the creative.

Ok, so as I am sure most if not all artists have a period of ‘stuckness’, this one has attached itself… viscous and difficult to dissolve.

I have ideas.

I even have experiments on the go, yet that familiar shroud of disengagement clouds my sight. So what do I do to move forward, lift the obstructive veil… I delve into automatic writing processes and doodling. Where this goes and what this does in terms of moving me on, I am unsure. What I do know is that it does loosen and distract, sometimes for hours ( the guilt of this weighs heavily into the dilemma).

So here are a couple of the latest distractions… to muse or perhaps amuse, but there is something significant about acknowledging this as ‘all part of the process’ by posting here… I think?

sketchbook01 doodling away the glue, Jo Howe, the process of being an Artist

sketchbook03 doodling away the glue, Jo Howe, the process of being an Artist

sketchbook02 doodling away the glue, Jo Howe, the process of being an Artist

Finding time…

So it’s that time of year again, the main SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) schools project work comes to a conclusion… loads of assessments to do but also the big end of school year celebration to look forward to, so exciting!

Thought it was about time to share a little of the work that these amazing young people  produce… beyond delightful!

The beginning of the course always has some kind of film element, more usually animation (so those who have been following my blog will now have a greater understanding why I am so inspired and therefore post many an animation).

So, here is one of my favourite animation works… perhaps because I still remember how these young people blew me away with their engagement, ideas and sense of joy… and of course working alongside the fabulous and talented Violist Judy Manning,  the mastermind who set up this project back in 2008, always a great pleasure.

 

We always have a ‘Pop’ element, with song writing, performance, sound creation and CD design. This one was rather fab… the songwriting led by the talented Tom Billington and design led by myself…. love the form and colour in this… and the song’s pretty damm good too!

There is of course so much more to share… but I will wait until The Funky Pie Company site is fully live and active. Until then… feel free to explore The Funky Pie Company Channel.

Enjoy!

New Work

Ok, so another couple of new work additions… one sold already (that’s got to be a record for me!). It made me think quite a bit about how I remain connected to my work and that it is intrinsically part of who I am. My knee jerk reaction to someone wanting to purchase it was ‘oh, but I haven’t had long enough to sit with this and reflect.’ I realise that it doesn’t necessarily have to be with me for that to happen… a strange emotion all the same… Made me smile (that and some cold hard cash in my hand!).

Three Great Rules Jo Howe Book Sculptures
Three Great Rules
Three Great Rules detail Jo Howe Book Sculptures
Three Great Rules detail
Three Great Rules detail Jo Howe Book Sculptures
Three Great Rules detail
Arrrghhh!-2012 Jo Howe Book Sculptures
Arrrghhh!-2012
Arrrghhh!-2012-detail Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Arrrghhh!-2012-detail

A little bit of magic…

Just had to share this; dropped into my sight via the source of lots of fab info Huffington Post. How delicious to couple a child’s imagination with their very own soft toy… pure magic!

Check out these beauties and go look further at Wendy’s site Child’s Own Studio for more wonderful creations.

by Maya, age 4
by Maya, age 4
by Zoe, age 5
by Zoe, age 5
Polly Peanut Butter Bee by Joel
Polly Peanut Butter Bee by Joel

New work – Commissioned piece

Not my usual approach but the work is a response to a very special family occasion. I really enjoyed this diversion from my normal practice and as always, found new things to learn and new problems to solve… Experimentation is a wonderful methodology!

Butterfly Illustrated 2012 - Jo Howe, Book Sculpture
Butterfly Illustrated (Diamond delight) 2012
Butterfly Illustrated 2012 - Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Butterfly Illustrated (Diamond delight) 2012
Butterfly Illustrated 2012 - Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Butterfly Illustrated (Diamond delight) 2012 – Detail
Butterfly Illustrated 2012 - Jo Howe Book Sculpture
Butterfly Illustrated (Diamond delight) 2012 – Detail