Altered Books by Wendy Tucker

On the very first day of class with Jude, she discussed the concept of Altered Books. I hadn’t ever heard about this before and it got my mind moving around and around to all the things this could encompass. I was so excited about the possibility of making an altered book that I knew I had to make one ( ? )RIGHT NOW. I have trouble putting off good ideas (and bad ideas) and this time it has been a blessing.
    I have been collecting odds and ends of craft supplies and other useful objects for a long time. I began thinking about all the ways I could use these things and about all the new things I wanted to get. I visited my parents a few weekends ago and their house is a goldmine of junk. I went around the house collecting Barbie clothes, puzzle pieces, comic books, and maps. I filled up an entire garbage bag. My mom became invested in this odd cause of mine and she went around the house also, digging through her many boxes of give away things that have never been given away. Every time I come home, there is some kind of object or art supply that I want; my mom told me with content frustration, every time you come, you want something else and that’s why I never throw anything away!? After I left, my family went to Florida where my mom and little brother collected shells and sand to send me. They also brought my grandmother in and she sent me a box of discarded fabric, ribbons, buttons, and lace.
    I decided that I wanted to work on this altered book and I wanted to spend all my time on it. There must be some way for me to justify this. So I incorporated it into my studio art independent study, I am using it for this project, and I plan to teach it at my alternative site. This proved to me something else. If I have enough drive to do something, I will be able to fit it into my busy schedule.
    After making a trip to the library for free books, I started my altered book. For the past month, I have worked on this project for about four hours a few times a week. I love it. I finally have a chance to use all the junk I have amassed and my hot glue gun has been working overtime.  This book will not be finished for a long time, and like reading a good book, I want the joy to keep lasting. I usually spend this late night hours painting on canvases that will be later hung on my walls, at art openings, or shoved in my closet. Working on this book feels totally different. I’m not going to hang it on the wall and I don’t see it being incorporated into an art show. I’m making it only because I want to and only for myself. This feels more rewarding than art has felt in a long time.