THERE'S A DICTIONARY ART MOVEMENT GOING ON

I never dreamed when I first doodled a drawing on the page from an old classroom dictionary that this process is going on all over the world.

I certainly wasn't the first person to come up with the idea of drawing or painting on odd supports.  I first noticed people photocopying oddball images on old book pages on Etsy years ago.  Those same folks are still publishing and selling today with thousands of their random prints on old pages sold.

I live in an area of the country rich with Native American culture.  Native American ledger art is perhaps the father of drawing on old book pages.  I've had the honor to show my art along side some amazing ledger artists.  It's all about using supports for your artwork that are available and familiar. Sometimes its about the passionate need to draw on something, anything even when you can't afford a blank page.

I believe, however, that the grandfather of the altered book, drawing on book pages movement has got to be the Commonplace Books which came along when books were first commercially printed and available to the common person.  One of my favorite examples of the Commonplace Book is in the film "The English Patient."  On my - that movie is romantic.  I wonder where that prop book ended up....

Thanks to the connections made possible through the Internet I have recently discovered lots of artists across the globe are trying out drawing on dictionary pages.  I am always delighted when I find folks who mention me in their posts.....who knew I'd enjoy that kind of connection.

Here are some online resources I've recently found

I have been so honored to have fellow art teachers ask to use my images and techniques in their classrooms.  I have been contacted by teachers and students from all over the world who saw my work online and wanted to know more.  I am amazed by this kind of notoriety and I am really pleased to work with elementary to collegiate students.

Here is a lovely lesson plan developed by Miss Wilson for her students that includes some of my work

http://artwithmisswilson.weebly.com/2-artist-research.html

Here is another website that features student work on dictionary pages.  I love student art work!
http://www.smallhandsbigart.com/illustrated-book-pages/

Pinterest has been provided me with an international audience and fabulous resources for both my studio and my classroom.  I really enjoy finding others creating dictionary art and this kind artist even mentioned me
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/359373245236017133/

Yesterday I stumbled on this blog that wrote about a facebook group dedicated to artists who are drawing and painting on dictionary pages.  I asked and they kindly invited me to join.
http://www.artbyyukari.com/2015/05/dictionary-art-sort-of.html