Library
The art of painter and found object artist Patricia Hartnett is on display on the first floor at Central Library for the month of June.
We asked Patricia a few questions about her work:
How did you get the inspiration for this work?
I collect books and I'm a painter. So this was a way of combining my love of books and art. Very often the book is the inspiration for a piece of art. I love to create small intimate pieces of art that can been held in the hands and books lend themselves well. It's also a way to recycle books and give them a second life as art. I have great respect for books and I only use discarded or damaged books for my art.
How long have you been working with books in your art?
I started altering books into art about 3 years ago. The first books that I altered were antique hymnals that I found at the thrift store. They were lovely, well worn books with navy blue and gold covers. They had a nice feel and smell. I thought about how many hands had held them books in song over the century, no doubt many of those worshipers were gone now. So I sealed them shut and embedded paintings inside niches that I carved through the covers. I've altered many books since then. I love how versatile they are.
What are you working on next?
I paint every day in my studio. I usually have a painting or two in progress. My art book projects are a nice diversion. Lately I've been working on art journaling and also building some art book shrines. The book shrines are assemblages that contain a small book with them. A couple shrines are one display currently at the library.
You can view more images of Patricia's work on our flickr page, or come into Central Library and see it in person.
- What Do These Books Have In Common?
The Grapes of Wrath. A Clockwork Orange. The Outsiders. Their Eyes Were Watching God. These books - and many more - have been challenged, banned and sometimes even burned, by communities or governments who were uncomfortable with the ideas, events or...
- More Library Love
On Monday the Shirlington Branch Library put out valentines for kids to color. We also asked people to tell us why they love the Library. Here are some of the wonderful responses we received: "Because I learn so much. It is fun!" "I can bring...
- Soline Krug In The Art Of Food
Over the next few weeks, we'll be interviewing some of the artists in The Art of Food, our current exhibit at Central Library. Our first conversation is with Soline Krug, a local painter transplanted from Europe, who's fiery images of wine cellars...
- Why Do Columbia Pike Patrons Love Their Library?
Columbia Pike Branch Library patrons tell us why they love the library. "I love the library because you always find new things." "It has cool people." "Reading books, magazines, and newspapers at the Columbia Pike Public Library has kept me young." "Because...
- Art & Books Unite
"We embrace the digital but we all still love books and the book hive is a wonderful blend of art and engineering, reminding us of the intrinsic beauty and love affair we have with books as tangible items." Book Hive Teaser Trailer from Adam Laity...
Library
Altered Books by Patricia Hartnett
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| "The Secret Garden" |
We asked Patricia a few questions about her work:
How did you get the inspiration for this work?
I collect books and I'm a painter. So this was a way of combining my love of books and art. Very often the book is the inspiration for a piece of art. I love to create small intimate pieces of art that can been held in the hands and books lend themselves well. It's also a way to recycle books and give them a second life as art. I have great respect for books and I only use discarded or damaged books for my art.
How long have you been working with books in your art?
I started altering books into art about 3 years ago. The first books that I altered were antique hymnals that I found at the thrift store. They were lovely, well worn books with navy blue and gold covers. They had a nice feel and smell. I thought about how many hands had held them books in song over the century, no doubt many of those worshipers were gone now. So I sealed them shut and embedded paintings inside niches that I carved through the covers. I've altered many books since then. I love how versatile they are.
What are you working on next?
I paint every day in my studio. I usually have a painting or two in progress. My art book projects are a nice diversion. Lately I've been working on art journaling and also building some art book shrines. The book shrines are assemblages that contain a small book with them. A couple shrines are one display currently at the library.
You can view more images of Patricia's work on our flickr page, or come into Central Library and see it in person.
- What Do These Books Have In Common?
The Grapes of Wrath. A Clockwork Orange. The Outsiders. Their Eyes Were Watching God. These books - and many more - have been challenged, banned and sometimes even burned, by communities or governments who were uncomfortable with the ideas, events or...
- More Library Love
On Monday the Shirlington Branch Library put out valentines for kids to color. We also asked people to tell us why they love the Library. Here are some of the wonderful responses we received: "Because I learn so much. It is fun!" "I can bring...
- Soline Krug In The Art Of Food
Over the next few weeks, we'll be interviewing some of the artists in The Art of Food, our current exhibit at Central Library. Our first conversation is with Soline Krug, a local painter transplanted from Europe, who's fiery images of wine cellars...
- Why Do Columbia Pike Patrons Love Their Library?
Columbia Pike Branch Library patrons tell us why they love the library. "I love the library because you always find new things." "It has cool people." "Reading books, magazines, and newspapers at the Columbia Pike Public Library has kept me young." "Because...
- Art & Books Unite
"We embrace the digital but we all still love books and the book hive is a wonderful blend of art and engineering, reminding us of the intrinsic beauty and love affair we have with books as tangible items." Book Hive Teaser Trailer from Adam Laity...