The final book in the collaboration series came to me a week or so ago. The theme is water in all its variations. A little daunting for me, it is not a subject I have ever tackled, so required a fair bit of thought before I started to make marks in Gale’s book. I am the last contributor, and the work done by the other three artists, Gale, Cathe and Karen, is wonderful, exploring the theme in their own unique ways. Above is the front cover, created by Gale but added to by all of us – decoration on the strap by Karen, a title tag from Gale, H2O watery tag from Cathe, and a little jellyfish from me.
Coloured pencil was my medium of choice, and maybe not a good choice as the paper is heavy, cold-pressed watercolour paper with a distinct texture, but once I had begun there was no going back! On the combined first page I added drips running down to Karen’s splash and Gale’s droplets on a leaf (Cathe will add her bit later).
For my main page I decided to plunge under the water and explore the world of jellyfish – such wonderful, odd and beautiful creatures, delicate yet potential killers at the same time.
The next combined page offered me a clear subject – clouds. Mine are top left, Gale’s top right with Cathe’s delicate watercolour bottom left and Karen’s rain falling on the bottom right.
Gale’s glorious ocean started us all off. I think she has captured the flow and motion of the sea’s constant movement so beautifully.
Cathe moved from the Pacific North West of Gale’s inspiration to France, giving us her elegant, beautifully drawn swan on translucent water.
Continuing the travel theme, Karen’s painting took us to a serene lagoon in Bali, with a wonderful fleshy lotus flower.
The final page, inside the back cover, gave us all an opportunity to say a little about our own inspirations and journey through this book.
The experiment is almost done – the four books will be soon making their ways back to the original maker of each. I have gained so much from this – I have been challenged, daunted, inspired and stretched in so many ways, and gained from the insights of each of the three others. So, thank you and kudos to Gale, Cathe and Karen for coming with me on the journey – there will be more!
anna warren portfolio 
Anna, I am so inspired by this experiment!! All of you ladies are extremely talented and your artworks are amazing!
Thank you so much for sharing.
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Thank you Peach, I’m delighted you are enjoying these – it has been a great experience.
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I was lucky enough to meet Anna yesterday for the first time, and with Karen Hull, spend some time looking at this book. I had already been shown it when Karen Bailey came to Perth but now it was finished. It was a pleasure to actually hold it, observe every art work at leisure and physically turn the pages. These collaboration books are mini-treasures and I do hope that there will be more of them.
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Seeing something first hand is a bit different from on line, so I am very glad the book is still holding up to closer inspection! Part of the essence of these books is in that turning of the page, developing an acquaintance with the individual viewpoints. I think there will be more!
It was very good to meet you, Julie, yesterday – you get an impression of a person from a virtual relationship, and I am glad to say it was reinforced by meeting!
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So interesting how each of you approach the theme, particularly when it’s a subject you might not normally be so comfortable depicting. A wonderful collaboration.
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Thank you Anne, the different interpretations have been fascinating to watch – each person bringing something new to each book, and as you say, sometimes working with subject matter or materials that are unfamiliar. By learning we grow!
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Ladies, this is such a beautiful book! Well done, all of you. The intricate mix of vibrancy of colour and the gentleness as well captures the water theme so well. I hope there are more to come, I’ve really enjoyed reading about them.
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Thank you Kylie – yes, I hope there will be more too!
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Anna, your spread and collorative pages are beautiful and harmoniously thread into the theme so nicely. It’s wonderful to see it all together, complete…almost complete (guilty me). What a wonderful project to share and be so inspired by. I guess it’s time you to “hit the road” starting a new journey! I too, look forward to another creative collaboration! I loved working with such talented and thoughtful artists!
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It has been such a wonderful experience Cathe, and it has been all about the input and sensitivity of the contributions from you, Gale and Karen. Everyone has collaborated in the best possible way to make each one of these work. When I come back I definitely want to be involved in a development of the collaboration idea. We can’t stop now!
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How absolutely beautiful!! What a joy!
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Thank you Johanna, much appreciated!
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What an exciting art journey you all took, I’m so inspired by all of the artwork and commitment to the project.
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It has been exciting Sharon, and I’m sure the journey is not over yet!
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Anna, I can imagine how scary it must be to ‘put pencil/pen to paper’. You have all done an amazing job and what a great keepsake for each of you to treasure.
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Thanks Patsy – yes, each being able to keep a book at the end keeps it alive. I know I will treasure my book when it returns to me. I’m sad to let each one go as well!
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Me again! Cathe’s beautiful picture of the swan brought the lovely Irish folk story, ‘The Childen of Lir’ to mind, in which the king’s three children were turned into swans and banished to spend hundreds of year on the rough seas.
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That’s a wonderful story Patsy, and Cathe’s swan fits it perfectly. Maybe it somehow pervaded her subconscious!
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Anna, you all did a beautiful job! The jellyfish, water, everything! I love the swan!! Congratulations. I am so glad you learned so much and had a lot of fun. 🙂
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So glad you like it Patsy! I really have learned a great deal, and it has been SUCH fun!
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That’s wonderful, Anna. Are you a full-time artist? Or do you have a “day job” also?
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I do have a day job Patsy, I am a graphic designer, specialising in book design, but I am winding it back so that I can spend more time on my art.
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Wow! No wonder you wanted to do those little books! 🙂 That was right up your alley, and they turned out beautifully, Anna. I hope you find more time for your art, too, since you are so talented.
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You are very kind Patsy, thank you!
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You’re welcome, Anna! Hope you are having a good week!
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Reblogged this on Patsy's Creative Corner and commented:
This is some gorgeous work by a few amazing artists! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this Patsy!
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You’re welcome, Anna. It was my pleasure! 🙂
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These are pretty sweet – have loved seeing the books. This one speaks to me with the water and jellyfish. Amazing artwork throughout.
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Water is very much your domain Mary, so I am delighted that this book connects with you.
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One finally completed, congratulations Anna, you have finished this book off beautifully. I just love your jellyfish and I share your fascination with them. I also love how you dived under the water, it rounded off the theme. Are you getting organised for your trip, I have heard that the wildflowers in WA are particularly good this year. I am excited about tagging along virtually on your trip, you must be thrilled to be almost ready to go. Karen
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Thanks Karen, I am glad to have it done before I go away! The packing is underway – lots of stuff still to do though! Yes, I have heard the wildflowers are good, and early too, so I hope there will still be some left by the time we get there! I am looking forward to getting going, but it will be cold for the first couple of weeks …
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Beautiful!! So inspiring. 🙂
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Thank you so much Carina!
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Congratulations on this wonderful and beautiful endeavor taken on by all of you. The result is just magic. It amazed me how the work from all four artists just seemed to fall into place—seemed to have meant to be together.
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I think we have all been astonished and delighted by how the books have all come together. Thanks Nancy, I always appreciate your comments!
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Such a gloriously fluid book Anna, floating us around the world with such beauty. Well done to all of you.
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Thank you Jane – we have all had a lot of fun with it. I do like your analogy of us floating around the world!
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I could dive right into the “water” book! FANtastic!
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Thanks Elena, so pleased you like it!
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