From Jen Staggs - Here is a Wee Boekie

[cheryl penn]

Jen asked me a VERY difficult question last year.  That was to write to her about the processes I use in my work.  My  reward – this boekie. And a Key. 

A key to unlock Jen’s block.  The very kind note reads “Dear Cheryl, Here is a wee boekie you inspired me to make – the quotes are from your letter about your processes.  Thank you for helping me out of my artist’s block”.  

This beauty is very recognizable to me as Jen’s work – a wonderful thing for me to see – a consistency that becomes recognizable as belonging to a particular artist.  Their own visual aesthetic translated into numerous forms.  

It stuff we all know.   Sometimes we just forget.  A reminder can bring on these wonderful bouts of creativity. Rewritten 1940's history. A palimpsest. Jen's 2011 process imposed on B Wilson's tabulations. Under Western eyes, so accustomed to viewing things best left to the imagination Jen poses her own stamp of censorship. 

Isolation. The juxtaposition of images and text offer a good deal of freedom of association.  There are paths of connection, but no discernible direction.   This isolation of pages from a its original journal? The reframing of discarded material in the creation of a new artifact - FAB :-)

Yes Jen, I SEE you too :-) - for more of these FABS, I'll write more letters!!! Thank you.

 

[De Villo Sloan]

I wish. By chance I have a piece by Jen and two by Austin - you know Austin. But geographic clusters, they definitely happen, don't they?

[De Villo Sloan]

This is a FANTASTIC piece by Jen. I was FINALLY going to blog something she sent me tonight - not the same one - but I feel like I got scooped here and need to wait. Hm... who would be another great Texas mail-artist? Seriously, excellent Jen.

[Jen Staggs]

Cheryl's work always inspires me to look deeper, to notice objects, strings, tufts of life that are sneaky.  Her words and creations are too in-depth for one or two readings.  I have to revisit her again and again.  This boekie is what happened!  Thanks to all for the kind words and to Cheryl for helping to unlock my brain!

[De Villo Sloan]

cp-sa - nice piece. jen's work is always stagg-ering.

[cheryl penn]

Hello :-) - like a gathering of girl-friends :-) Its a great piece.

[Karen Champlin]

Great work Jen!

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

What a creative ensemble using vintage pages, some rice paper/vellum, and stampings, etc. 'Can only image how wonderful it is to the touch as you turn the pages. Beautiful work, Jen. Beautiful blog, Cheryl...you both inspire!

[Lesley Magwood Fraser]

Jen what a fabulous boekie! Wonderful work.

[Imelda Wubben]

This is a lovley reward for sharing your thoughts of process.