Proof reader's ARE important people!

The book I chose to review this month for The Artful Readers Club is

"Love, Hate, and the World goes Round" by Katherine Rochholtz

a collection of poems and short stories.

Now I know I am a bit of a Grammar Troll, but I get that people(even myself) make mistakes...I get that we regularly make typing errors, and that sometimes we just can't be fussed about correcting every last piece of syntax, BUT!!!!!

If you are going to publish a piece of writing that you expect people to pay for, you should make at least a reasonable effort to ensure it is "readable".

That is, after all, what proof reading is about.  You may not have the necessary skills or time to do this yourself. Even if you do, it is definitely worth getting someone else to read through your piece BEFORE publishing.

Within a few short pages of starting this book I found myself infuriated by the sheer lack of punctuation. In fact, I often didn't realise I had moved on to a different story as the title for it was merged into the last line of the previous piece. The spacing between sentences was chaotic and confusing, and some sentences were so long I had forgotten the point being made by the time I reached the end.

In the main story, the author continually changed from one tense to another mid sentence, and to be honest, on at least 3 occasions I planned to give up, BUT!!!!

I wanted to know what happened to the characters. The author created some wonderfully interesting protagonists, who I would love to have known better. I had to know if they had a happy ending, because she did make them real and likeable.

I found it extremely difficult to read this book. It actually gave me headache as I was constantly re-reading sections to make sure I had understood things properly, but it is filled with little gems, that if the author had taken the time to polish them, could have really sparkled.

 I started my art project during my first "frustration break". At that point I had decided that if I had been reading a paper copy, I would have been tearing pages out of it. So I used some old book pages from my stash instead :D...

 and decided to comfort myself making paper flowers...

 I took my frustration out on them by spritzing them with water

 and scrunching them up.

 Part of the short stories section of the book has a collection based on Death/Reapers, so during my second "frustration break" I stencilled a skull to add to my finished piece.

 Darcy made a tutorial earlier this week for Paper Artsy, in which she made "patchwork paper".

 I used some more book pages and inked them up, before cutting into random rectangles and pasting them onto a backing paper...

 before cutting them into panels to fit the base "fan shape" I had cut from black card stock.

 I over-stamped, faux stitched and mounted each panel before gluing in place.

Then it was just a matter of putting everything together :D

I added some sparkly details with Stickles...

 and a sentiment I felt appropriate to the book itself.

In the end I was pleased I made the effort to finish this book, not for pride, but because it has the makings of some very very good stories.

Enjoy :D XXX

Breaking all the rules.

Well I never got round to reading my ARC book for July, but I went to read everyone else's reviews. 

One particular review really kicked me into touch. Darcy had reviewed a book about a 15 year old boy with Asperger's (part of the autistic spectrum), and she was very impressed. Being the mother of a 15 years old boy with Asperger's, I was intrigued ....ordered the book...waited....and have now read it...and it is still July.

So even though it breaks all the rules ...I am going to review...

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by Mark Haddon

(and this is the journal page I have made)

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!

Every page made me laugh, which may seem a strange reaction to some, but I had sooooo been there already. The author has a true insight into how the mind of an Asperger's suffer works, and I can only assume he grew up with or raised a child with this syndrome. I know all sufferers are different from each other, but there are certain behavioural and emotional elements that are obvious markers, and the author has worked these perfectly into his young hero (well he is a hero to me).

The events that take place during school time are all so true, I have lived every one of them...including arguing about helping my son cope with exams...and the conversations about not telling people they are stupid or smell, as the truth can be hurtful.....and the throwing away of artwork because someone else spoiled it.

While reading the book, I found that I was actually hearing it in my sons voice, as the speech patterns and content was so familiar to me. The fascination with science and mathematics is so accurate, and the way he deals with "noise"......

If you don't know anyone with Asperger's, but would like to understand a little of what it is like, read this book.

If you do know or live with some one with Asperger's, read this book. It really does cover so many aspects of my life and relationships it is spooky, though I am one of the lucky one's. Being a very calm person by nature I have been able to cope more easily than some, though there have been times that I cried myself dry just thinking about the future. Plus my boy is one of the "huggy" ones so at least I have been spared the pain of never being able to hold my child.

My husband is going to read it now...and I may try and get my son to read it too...but I am DEFINITELY going to get his teachers to read it!!!!

My journal page is based on a photo of my son when he was 3. 3 is his favourite number, and the journalling reads:

"When everything is the same volume...I can't hear anything!!!"

and refers to his main "problem", which is an issue with his peripheral hearing. According to the experts, he hears everything at the same volume, so if I am whispering in the kitchen while he is watching tv in the next room he answers and joins in the conversation I am trying to have in private. This makes concentrating very difficult in school, or in a crowded place. And even at such an early age he always had such serious expressions on his face. People would say he had the eyes of an old man.

Back to the book.....

I don't want you to think it is a light-hearted story....in places I really struggled not to cry(for fear my son would want to know why)...but it does finish on a very hopeful note. Am so glad I cheated this month.

Enjoy :D XXX

I am counting this journal page for "Piece A Week" and Paper Saturdays challenge

Genuine Devotion should never to be despised...

This is my June post for The Artful Readers Club, reviewing "Scenes of Clerical Life" by(Mary Ann Evans) George Eliot

(St John the Baptist church Throapham)

Where to begin.....after last months disappointment it was with a heavy heart that I started reading this classical piece, knowing it to be written in a similar style. Again it is a narrative piece, describing the lives of several clergymen and their associations with a rustic community during the early 1800's as Methodism and Evangelicalism are starting to get a proper foothold in English parishes.

But oh my...the difference I found reading this amazingly well balanced book!!! Not being a Christian you may think I would have found little to like about the stories it contains, but it seems to me the authoress(Mary Ann Evans) took great pains to show us that clergymen of good and strong faith are not always as grey and serious as we may think.

The book is broken down into 3 stories about Reverend Barton, Mr Gilfil and Mr Tryan...and the depth of emotion that their lives held, unseen by the majority of the people who thought they knew them.

The writing itself is very intense in some areas(in the Dickensian, Shakespearian way of wordiness), but just at those moments that you begin to feel like your trudging through mud the sun sparkles on a dewy leaf and you find yourself surrounded by a veritable oasis of fragrant imagery that leaves your mind in a whirl. I found myself agog, reading passages over to make sure I had the correct interpretation of the story as I was often led into a daydream of far off country gardens and ornate finery. The book is set in a time period when women wore lace caps indoors, never left the house without their bonnet, and "appearances" were all important...again not something I've ever been accused of lol

The best example I could think to show you of the subtle wit of the authoress, is when describing the attributes of one particular gentleman preacher, she says he is popular among the working men of the fields due to "...his ability to dispense with the exuberance of wordy frippery..." (we as a family have now adopted that phrase..wordy frippery..:D)

I don't, however, wish to give the impression that this is a humorous novel...I found the stories intensely moving, sometimes heartbreaking, but they way the whole subject was approached made them immensely enjoyable to read.

After reading "Young Enthusiasts"  last month I was left with no interest in any of the characters portrayed there...but with this collection of stories I came to truly care about each and every one involved. Theirs are stories of hope, love and faith, and the word "Devotion" was left in my heart with regard to each of them. It is not a clergyman's lot to be a burden to his parishioners, but to help them carry theirs, and these stories  so beautifully written are a reminder that they are human too, and suffer just as we do.....possibly even more so. I think this excerpt shows a sample of the humanity and faith portrayed...;

He came forward, and, putting out his hand, said, "I am glad you sent for me-I am so thankful you thought I could be of any comfort to you." Janet took his hand in silence. She was unable to utter any words of mere politeness, or even of gratitude; her heart was too full of other words that had welled up the moment she had met his pitying glance, and felt her doubts fall away.

Not a scene of bodice ripping romance, but the moment a tormented soul reached out, asked for help and was offered it freely.

My only difficulty with this book was choosing what to make from the huge catalogue of inspiration available...but one theme in particular kept recurring through all the different stories...sewing.
Many references are made to the general pastime of needlework by the ladies involved. Whether it be mending, darning, embroidery, knitting, crochet or tapestry work, at some point they all perform this necessary service. So I decided to do a little cross-stitch...

well actually it turned into two...one of field poppies(from an old Edwardian Lady's Diary project book) signifying remembrance, and one of a church window(from the block pattern book I posted about earlier)

Enjoy :D XXX

"Me thinks the Lady doth protest too much!"

Well for the first time in the ARC Challenge I found myself at a loss as to what kind of art piece could best represent my feelings about "Young Enthusiasts" by Elizabeth Jenkins

I had bought this book from a jumble sale many years ago, because it's pages were old and yellowed and it had that lovely smell of old paper. As part of this challenge I had decided to read some of the "old, yellowed" books I have collected over the years, and as this book is still available to buy I excitedly gave it a go.....da da daaaaaaaaaa......

I have read many different types of book and styles of writing over the years, but this book stands out in it's total uniqueness.

It would be impossible to give away the story...as there isn't one. The book seems to be a combination of supposed anecdotal memories, none of which I found particularly emotive, and intellectual discussion/observances  with regard to the pros and cons of the educational system of the time.

The book itself is only 214 pages long...the first 30 pages felt like an eternity....then I went out into my blessed garden in order to fortify myself and finish the rest.

Even then I could be heard exclaiming, ranting and groaning under the immense effort not to give it up as a waste of a sunny day (much to the amusement of my family).

By page 189 I caved.....surely it must all come together at the end? I read the last page.....went back to read the remaining pages as I MUST have missed something....nope.

This semi-fictional piece of writing reads like a note book/diary with no discernible timeline...I didn't know if we were in the 1930's or 1947 (date of publication). Mostly the lead character(I don't recall her mentioning her own name) is first inspired by a child's appearance...then whether they have any true interest in the subject she teaches (English Grammar). Basically, she has her favourites, whilst being mortally offended by a parents out right accusation of the fact. These are the "beautiful" people as I came to regard them...attractive, elegant and with the souls of the romantic poets...

 Whilst the children of "insolvents"(as it would be gauche to call a person poor), though to be encouraged to improve their writing style where inevitably cast aside as being unworthy of the expenditure of one's nervous energy.... 

not a direct quote, but very much in the style of the author, and certainly the impression I was forming of the personality of the teacher telling the "story".

I actually had a headache from trying to make the book mean anything at all, other than being a "whining monstrosity of self importance" 

I only managed to make a piece of art from this book when I remembered I was supposed to be making a journal page about "Anger" for Jeanette's free First Aid Journalling class.

Anger is something I reserve for the most deserving of cases...and one such cause in my life is a wasted education...not because a child may be difficult to engage with, But because the system doesn't encourage them enough. I describe these as the "invisible" children. The ones who work quietly at the back of the class, drawing no attention to themselves, just getting by, or the ones who struggle for no immediately apparent reason. I know there are children who appear to have absolutely no interest in learning at all, but maybe they just haven't met the right teacher yet?

(can you tell I struggled not to rant over this one lol ?)

Enjoy :D XXX

How "Family" colours our lives.

This month, for ARC, I am reviewing "A Portrait in Sepia" by Isabel Allende

I was a bit nervous starting this book, as it was a gift from a dear friend who thought it sounded like the kind of book I would enjoy. What if I didn't like it? How would I word the review without offending someone I love?

It is an historical novel set between 1862 and 1910, and is written as a memoir of Aurora Del Valle, an independent young women living in Chile.

The book is written in three parts...

Part 1 covers the years before her birth, and is written in quite a confused manner(for which Aurora apologizes at the beginning). I struggled with this section until I realised that the format was more that of the kind of conversation you overhear at a large family gathering, where everyone is adding to the stories, no one person ever having all the pertinent information. At certain points the story get's passed to Aunty so-and-so and then to uncle whatsit and so on. We get details and information through the eyes of each character, some only brief mentions, others seeming much more relevant.  I could see how this section would be quite frustrating for some, but being a keen genealogist it is how I see my ancestral past, little snippets and delicacies of information, that later prove a clue to the next important link.

Part 2 covers Aurora's childhood and events in the world that effect her upbringing. The story again jumps in and out of other people's lives, but in a more organized way, as more information is readily available through her own observations.

Part 3 is written in what I consider a more conventional style and pulls all the facts and loose ends together beautifully.

Underlying the "memoir" is a fabulous "shout out" to the strength and character of the women of Chile during the building of a great nation. It is not coloured by feminism, but instead shows us the formidable patience of women working "behind the scenes" in the shadow of their husbands. It is also filled with the most wonderful stories of love and devotion (and several beautifully written scenes of a sexual nature). This is in no way a classic "Mills and Boons" type romantic novel...the emotions evoked are much deeper(I cried 4 times).

All in all I have to thank Magaly for gifting me this book....I found so many moments within it's pages that reflected things in my own life, not least my desire to keep memories alive for my children and their children, and their children's children. And I hope to live in their memories as vividly as Aurora's amazing ancestors are now engraved in mine.

My art piece is a 20"x20" stretch canvas, painted in the style of a Victorian family portrait with muted and faded colours. Battered and faded, it shows tantalising glimpses of Aurora's history :D

Enjoy :D XXX

Patchwork of Life

This months book for The Artful Readers Club is the second part of Sally Dubats "Grimoire Chronicles"

WINTER SHOCK

Sally is writing 8 books based around the 8 sabbats of the wiccan/pagan calender. Although her story is a fictional one, she is trying to incorporate a more realistic version of "what a witch is". No magical broomstick to carry our heroine up a steep mountain side, and the only nose twitching is brought on by noxious smells. The story collection involves a young wiccan by the name of Cassie, who has grown up feeling like an outsider because of her beliefs. But as the stories progress she becomes more aware of how people really see her, and not just how she thinks they see her, leading to greater understanding and friendships she never imagined possible.

This part of Cassie's story takes place around the Winter Solstice aka Yule, and finds Cassie  trudging up a mountain in the depths of winter...not exactly the family orientated festivities she had planned. Although our heroine is in quite a perilous situation(to say the least), I found myself laughing out loud at her petulance in the face of danger. Even reading sections out loud to my husband, as Sally uses the mundane "matter of factness" required to survive to balance the swirling turmoil in Cassie's mind.

I read the first book "Veil Between Worlds"(set at Samhain/Halloween) last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, and can only say that I am still enjoying Cassie's adventures, and can not wait to read the rest as they are published.

Now for the arty bit :D

There were many passages in this book that inspired fabulous landscapes...but one particular passage stuck in my mind that was more about the spiritual side of the story.

At one point Cassie talks about memories flying around her like pages from a book...so that had to be my first layer...and spookily the pages I pulled from my pile had a character called Cassie, and words like "Flame", "darkness", "Candle" and "Black"

The second layer was of a patchwork of colours from the passage...

 obliterated by the white snow...

Next  I added different fabrics ...

before using gold acrylic to add "stitching".

and the quote...

"but memories from the weekend wrapped around my thoughts like a patchwork quilt--a black swatch of fear from the abduction, a scrap of frayed nerves from the ascent, a bright patch of shock from the Kundalini release at the summit--all sewn together with the golden thread of the Gods. This memory had a power all its own. I was spiritually wounded."

Dubats, Sally (2012-12-05). Winter Shock (The Grimoire Chronicles) (Kindle Locations 4726-4728).  . Kindle Edition. 

...and finally I added an image of Cassie exhausted by the events of her journey so far...

"Patchwork of Life"

8 x 8 stretched canvas Mixed media piece.

Enjoy :D XXX

Ghosts, Girls and a Grandma...

For February's ARC, I decided to read and review a short book written by one of our group at ARC (Artful Readers Club)

AlmaMia Cienfuegos (a story of blood, scars and nightmares) by Magaly Guerrero

I have known Magaly since she started writing this story, and have had the privilege of watching it grow from a slippery fresh mango stone into the fabulously juicy ripened fruit that it is today :D

Not for the feint hearted, this short story is a roller-coaster ride of intense emotion wrapped in the snotty hanky of a small child.

It is a fabulous doorway into the lives of the Cienfuegos family, and I am already wanting to know much , much more about each of the characters involved. Why are they all so horrid to each other...is the family cursed for some past transgression? What is the significance of the Mango trees? How far back in the family did the "Gifts" manifest?

There are amazing moments in this story, where I went from hating a character to sympathising to despising....but who is to blame for it all?

There are many stories yet to be told about this group of characters, and I really hope Magaly goes the whole hog one day and makes them into a full blown novel ...and I'm not bullshitting because she is a friend...I truly love this storyline!!!

I was inspired to make 2 pieces for this review.

The first is a dark and deeply textured canvas, from which evolved a gnarled and spooky Mango tree. Beneath it, in the dark of night, a spirit walks and gathers fallen fruit...

Dark Mangoes

The second is a portrait of one of the characters from the story...AlmaMia's devoted Grandmother.

I don't know how close to Magaly's vision it is. I saw her before I read the brief description ...and was thrilled to have gotten her body shape and hair right :D.(I is psychic you know...mwahahahaha...:D)

(Mamabuela Cienfuegos)

I think she must have been very beautiful in her youth :) It doesn't say in the story, but i think her eyes are a soft brown, flecked with gold :D

Enjoy :D XXX

Teasing and Pimping :D

Although I am known for being a calm and rational person, when it comes to art I loose all sense of timing.

Once I get an idea in my head I just have to run with it, or I become just a teensy bit tetchy...so you get to have a sneaky peek at 2 projects I am working on at the moment :D

This is the under-painting for my entry for this years Celebrate Oz with Oma Linda.

The challenge date isn't until March 15th....but I got a bit excited...and the painting is complete and pre-scheduled lol

The second piece is a portrait I am working on for next months Artful Readers Challenge post.

She is one of the characters from the book I will be reviewing.

Again, this piece isn't due until February 22nd...and I have already done another piece to join it when I post lol

Hello. My name is Gina...and I is a Artoholic!!!

Enjoy :D XXX

A journey through Wonderland

Well what can I say....as my first book for the Artful Readers Club challenge, I chose an old battered copy of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. 

I bought it from a church jumble sale many years ago for 2 reasons, firstly , it was printed in 1963(my birth year) and secondly, because the previous owner had added their own art to the pages.

I believe this to be a representation of the Queen and King of Hearts playing Flamingo Crochet...

This would appear to be Alice and the other creatures listening to stories to dry off after their long swim in the lake of tears...

and I think this is a representation of the Lobster Quadrille (it is the only reference with fish lol, but this is only a guess)

I am sure you are all familiar with the story of Alice's adventures, but I was always certain that the film makers had exaggerated the chaotic/hyperactive elements to the story...I was wrong.

As the parent of a child assessed with Asperger's syndrome(part of the autistic spectrum) I was left totally agog at the similarities in the speech patterns used by Carroll, with those of my son. Right from the beginning of the story, it was like listening to my son. Especially the parts where Alice is arguing with herself "to the point of making herself cry" from telling herself off for cheating herself whilst playing crochet alone. The constant disapproving of her own behaviour, and second guessing her own decisions, and especially the inability to accept her own ability to learn, are all hurdles I see my son struggle over on a daily basis. How many times a day do I say to him..."enough now...your talking nonsense..." 

And that is what this novel is most famous for, the nonsense. Unfathomable riddles and totally surreal characters. I now suspect Carroll's endeavours may have been an attempt to show how he actually saw the world around him. Full of confusion and contradiction or maybe he had met a child like mine, who on the outside appears like any other, while on the inside they live in turmoil. constantly seeking approval and trying to do the right thing.

Reading the novel has lead me to embark on further adventures into Lewis Carroll's life, to see if my suspicions are correct.

My art is inspired by the "magic mushroom" that the Caterpillar is sitting on. I will blog the process tomorrow as this is already a long post :D

I seriously suggest any parent or friend or teacher of children in the Autistic Spectrum read this short novel with new eyes. I believe it is so much more than "nonsense".

Enjoy :D XXX