Truth is not Negotiable Book

Cover Affixed to Book and Drying.
Truth Not Negotiable

Truth Not Negotiable

Modified Tap Code–Truth
Truth Not Negotiable

Metal and Loom Knit Closure
Truth Not Negotiable

Back of Book
Truth Not Negotiable

Lined with Mulberry Paper
Truth Not Negotiable

Modified Morse Code Used, Layered Vertically and Horizontally
Truth Not Negotiable

Each Block is a Letter, Stitched onto Cardstock Lined with Rice Paper.
Truth Not Negotiable

Page One–Truth
Truth Not Negotiable

Blocks were Stitched onto the Book Pages. The Thread Was Run Horizontally Through the Corrugated Cardboard and Then Through the Page and Knotted.
Truth Not Negotiable

Page Two and Three–Is Not
Truth Not Negotiable

Truth Not Negotiable

Page Four and Five-Negotiable
Truth Not Negotiable

Letterlocked Notes on Work
Truth Not Negotiable

Truth Not Negotiable


Memorial

In 2018 on May 15th, my mother died. Every year I make a piece to remember my mother and her life.

2025 Memorial Mom

The beads are from one of my mother’s necklaces.

2025 Memorial Mom

Code for the word–Loss

2025 Memorial Mom

Inside of the piece.

2025 Memorial Mom

It can be free standing.

2025 Memorial Mom

Code for my mother’s date of birth 02151930 and the date of her death 05152018.

2025 Memorial Mom

The code for this page is 2025 and Unshed Tears for My Mother.

2025 Memorial Mom

I knotted the green thread around the raw white linen. Each five knots is used to represent a dash. There are two dashes (M), space, three dashes (O), space, and two dashes (M).

2025 Memorial Mom

Materials–
The green paper is painters’ paper. I had some paint left over from a piece. Rather than letting it go to waste, I printed it on a roll of paper. I used a parcel for the corrugated cardboard. The remaining materials are–watercolor paper, a few metal bits for the closure, beads from one of my mother’s necklace, and adhesive.

Scale–5.75″ x 4.75″ x .5″


Thoughts on Video–8 Japanese Aesthetics That Might Change How You See Beauty

It is challenging to show the complete content of art books.

If the book is closed the content on the pages is concealed. If the book is open, the closure, cover, and remaining pages are not accessible.

Today I was watching a video on YouTube–

8 Japanese Aesthetics That Might Change How You See Beauty

I was struck by this passage–

Masayuki Kurokawa (Japanese architect and designer) explains that hiding part of a work is not about withholding. It’s an invitation.

The creator doesn’t expect the viewer to see the work exactly as they do. Instead, they hope the viewer will bring their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and in doing so, become part of the creative process. In this way, Japanese aesthetics do not always aim for precise communication.

There is no single correct interpretation.

Instead, there’s a quiet belief that something in the viewer’s heart will naturally resonate with the creator’s intention.

Art becomes complete through that shared experience, through presence, imagination, and mutual sensitivity.

I agree with the bit about the viewer bringing their own thoughts… I generally think of it as seeing the work through the filter of your own experiences.

I don’t agree that the viewer becomes part of the creative process, just by looking at the work. I feel that devalues the artist’s education, years of experience, the number of works constructed, and the work.

My interpretation is the correct one for my work. If someone views my work and arrives at a different interpretation; their interpretation is not equivalent to mine. Their interpretation is not valid.

For example, a viewer may appreciate a material used in one of my pieces but may not comprehend the importance of that material to the content. How can they possibly arrive at a valid interpretation of the work?

Letterlocking and Notes on Work

Currently working on this piece–Regret

Regret 4

Because I use a variety of codes and ciphers, I include notes with each piece. Notes are affixed to the back of the Wallpieces and a separate page included in each book.

I recently noticed that a couple of wallpieces were no longer flat on the wall. The note envelopes were coming a bit open. I could have used a tie closure, but it added a bit of bulk.

Memories 1

Memories 2

Orwell 1

Orwell 2

Orwell 3

Recently found some letterlocking examples and tutorials on YouTube. I have dinked around a bit with them, but some are too bulky.

This is a simple Regency example–

Letterlocking 1

Letterlocking 2

Letterlocking 3

I was curious if seen, would folks know how to easily open and refold. I did a little test. I wrote up my progress notes for my last visit to my rheumatologist. He opened it right off. Asked if it was origami. I like the the folded letter is small and can fit in a pocket.

This is how I am planning to affixed notes to one of my current project.
I will be applying a rust promoter to the washers. Will wait and see if I can write directly on the letter or will need to write notes on a piece of paper and tuck inside the letter.

Regret 1

Regret 2

Regret 3

Regency Era Letter Folding Tutorial – Jane Austen Style
Note & Wish

Looking forward to attempting some of the letterlocking examples on this YouTube channel.
Letterlocking videos


Book–Virginia Woolf Quote

Virginia Woolf Quote–Lock up your libraries, if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that can set upon the freedom of my mind.

Lock Libraries
Freedom of Thought
Lock Libraries

Lock Libraries

Pit-fired Beads and Knotted Fiber Closure
Lock Libraries

Paste Paper
Lock Libraries

Lock Up Your
Lock Libraries

Libraries If You Like;
Lock Libraries

But There Is No Gate,
Lock Libraries

No Lock, No Bolt
Lock Libraries

That You Can Set Upon The
Lock Libraries

Freedom Of My Mind.
Lock Libraries

Note Envelope
Lock Libraries

Notes
Lock Libraries
Notes
Lock Libraries

Back Cover
Lock Libraries

Binding
Lock Libraries

20250116


Birthday Greeting

Birthday Greeting 01

The paper is layers of tissue with paper bits. The lot was then oiled and worked. Faux parchment? It took years for the oiled paper to dry. I like that it feels soft. Feels similar to materials I waxed without a torch.

Letterlocking–Renaissance Diamond
Birthday Greeting 02

The interior piece is constructed of tree wrap. It is one of my favorite materials to use for an embroidery base.

Birthday Greeting 04

Penny for the year of birth.

Birthday Greeting 05

20250119


Nagging Feeling of Absence

This is a memorial piece for absent family.

First square is the symbol used for a spacer at the beginning, end, and between words.

Nagging Feeling

Nagging Feeling

Modified tap and clock code. The rust fiber is the code, the pale green fiber is used for spacers.

Nagging Feeling

Each cardboard card is reinforced with a piece of cardstock. The cardstock is bound through the cardboard and around the cardstock.
Nagging Feeling

Notes on Work
Nagging Feeling

Nagging Feeling

Hung in the corner of the guest bedroom that has become storage space for work.

Nagging Feeling

Materials–Paper, metal, fiber, ink, PVA

Scale–66″ x 3.75″ x .25″


Just Because Book

Quote used–Just because you are taught that something is right and everyone believes it is right, it does not make it right.

Just Because

When I looked at the images, I realized I forgot to use stamps to number the pages. Maybe today.

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

Just Because

My last name in code.
Just Because

Materials–monoprints, paper,roofing felt, fiber, metal,chalk, PVA

Scale–5.75″ x 6.5″ x 1.5″