Kiala Givehand -- Life Alchemist • Creativity • Spiritual Empowerment
  • Home
  • Work With Me
    • SoulCollage®
    • Soulfully Raw & Quirky
    • FREE Artsy Meetups
    • Artsy Meetup Marathon
  • Pull Pen Paint
  • Online Classes
  • Shop
    • Mixed Media Inspiration Deck
  • About
    • 19 Things About Me
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter Signup
  • Home
  • Work With Me
    • SoulCollage®
    • Soulfully Raw & Quirky
    • FREE Artsy Meetups
    • Artsy Meetup Marathon
  • Pull Pen Paint
  • Online Classes
  • Shop
    • Mixed Media Inspiration Deck
  • About
    • 19 Things About Me
    • Contact >
      • Newsletter Signup

Book-in-a-Day 9: G.R.I.T.S.

3/1/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Title: Girls Raised in the South (G.R.I.T.S.)
Structure: Whirlwind
Dimensions: 7 1⁄2 x 6 1⁄4 closed
Video of my process. 

HOORAY FOR WEEK 9!! 

I'm so excited to bring you this ninth book-in-a-day because I've been searching for a way to pay homage to the women in my family. And while one book will never be enough, this feels like a great start. 

The book is really about the sayings that I grew up hearing in my house and in the houses of other southern women raised in places like my hometown. These sayings, at the time, held the only truth I knew and I couldn't wait to repeat them when I was little. Of course, like many things, I outgrew that desire, but I sometimes find myself spewing all sorts of southern phrases that many of my west coast friends find baffling. 

When I sat out to make this ninth book in the series, I knew that it would be difficult for me to pick just a few phrases, but I was determined to pick the ones that were around when I was little. There are a lot of newer sayings, but I was looking for the tried and true. The ones that seem to have staying power. So of course I consulted the best source I have access to; my mother. 

Just sitting and talking was powerful. Because I come from an oral tradition where stories are typically passed down through the women in my family, I was able to learn a great deal, not just about the phrases and the sayings, but about my great-great grandmother: Mabel King. As I listened, I felt more and more proud to come from such a strong and determined woman. Thus, the book was born and dedicated to her. 

Picture
ABOUT THE STRUCTURE & CONTENT: I think I woke up with that structure in mind, so I tailored my content, in a way, to fit the way the structure works. I didn't want to write poems this week, and after listening to my mom, I felt like I needed to tell a story. That story turned into a manifesto of sorts, or maybe an instruction manual. The phrases show up in italics. 

I wanted the pages to be lightly colored with pink, so I used a homemade ink spray with watered down metallic pink acrylic ink and a homemade purple alcohol ink spray to add a bit of contrast to the dark pink text, which I simply printed on my color ink jet printer. (For a list of materials, visit the ning site).

The other element I was determined to use were the silhouettes. For some reason, I had that on my mind for several days and was determined to get them in there. I'll likely use silhouettes again because I actually found them to be really powerful images. The stark black color on the light pink was exactly what I was hoping for. I did, however, make a few mistakes with the silhouettes. 

Picture
Mistake 1: I made the silhouettes before I did anything else, so I already had them glued to a heavy card stock, which turned out to be heavier than I wanted in the book, but I kept it. 


Mistake 2: Some of the silhouettes buckled when I added the glue. I think it was mostly the ones that had come from magazine images originally. I could have remedied this by copying them onto regular printer paper before painting and gluing them. 

Mistake 3: One of the ones I really wanted to use was much too big. It will likely appear in an art journal page later along with the others that didn't make it in the book. 

All in all, this was a great book making experience. Each week I'm finding so many things that inspire me that it's difficult to pick the one that will get my attention. But no worries, I'm keeping a list for the days when the ideas are not as abundant. 

EDITIONING: It's likely that this book will become an open edition. Now that I've made the prototype, I can see exactly what I'd need to do to edition it. Plus, I'd really like to give my mom (and her sisters) a copy. 

I'm looking forward to what next week brings, I'm thinking about something a little different than the first 9 -- stay tuned. If you're watching the videos, I'm honored! If you're making the books, I'm intrigued, so please post them to the flickr group or on the Giving Hands Creative Community site.

See you next week!!

Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Follow on Bloglovin
    Picture
    Picture

    hello friend...

    I'm Kiala, a student of life first and foremost. And I'm also a published poet, book binder, fountain pen collector, Life Alchemist & Intuitive Soul Guide. I make things, paint things, and write things. I love teaching & empowering women to  live with intention. Please, grab a cup of your favorite warm drink, a fountain pen, and your favorite journal. Let's connect!


    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    My Articles for the StencilGirl® Blog
    StencilGirl

    i'm teaching here...
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture

    journal with me
    Journaling Prompts
    30 Days of Reflection E-Book

    my favorite supplies

    Picture
    Addicted to Gelli

    my favorite classes

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Order Your Copy TODAY!!

    LINKwithlove

    I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Archives

    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

QUICK LINKS
About Kiala
Classes & Workshops
Contact
ADDITIONAL INFO
Privacy Statement
Disclaimers
Shipping Policy
FAQs
Picture

© Kiala Givehand, 2012-2023. All rights reserved.
Everything on this website, including the written words, photos, and artwork are the creative and intellectual property of Kiala Givehand, unless otherwise noted. I'm a small business owner and I share as much as I can to help others live creatively. This is NOT a hobby for me, this is my art, my work, my life. Please don't copy, reproduce, or download any of my artistic works or writings without contacting me for permission. Please feel free to link to this site and notify me when you do. Thanks, ya'll!!
**Some links on this blog & website are affiliate links and I receive a very small percentage of any sales generated by the link.