Masa Paper - Paihting Bookcovers

At work, I keep a kit at my desk - a box of Fabriano Mediovalis stationary, awl, piece of heavy cardboard, linen thread, scissors and needle.  When I am not busy, I like to put together signatures and assemble them into book blocks which I bring home and make into journals.  Over the holidays, work has been kind of slow so I have managed to create quite a stash of book blocks ready to be made into journals.  Some of these will be covered with purchased paper (there is a great little paper store near me) and some will be covered with hand painted masa paper (Japanese paper).  I have been painting over the holidays and although I have not had time to cover any journals, I thought you might like to see my painted masa paper.  Some of these are experimental pieces and may not end up on journals but I am having fun painting them.  One thing I find is that I like the pieces I mess up and have to fix the best.  They end up with lots of layers.  Not sure yet if it is possible to mess up on purpose but I think I can manage it.  Here they are:

 

 Painting

 Close up

 Painting

 Close up

Some of these did not photograph well - my camera equipment is trapped behind the ping pong table which is going to be moved to a new location soon.  I will take better photos once these are actually journals.  Today is a small day (yesterday was a giant day!) so need to get moving.  Wishing you all the best in 2010 - I am as always a Happy Giraffe!  Belinda