Monday, August 03, 2009

the keeper of the key to the locks

This drawing is on an A3 paper and, as I've said before, I do not own a big enough scanner, so excuse the photos.
This drawing has taken my obsessiveness to new levels. I'm not sure whether you get that from the photos but, really, it really has.
I found this old book on Ebay and I just had to have it. I expected everybody in the world to bid for it, and I would have paid over the odds. However, my predictions were wrong and I ended up getting it for just £4.
I, religiously, meticulously, tried to recreate every crease, stain and colour on the white blank page before me. All the lettering too. I think I managed it more or less. I did make a couple of little additions of my own, though. I'll let you work out what they were.
It's also the very first page of my book. The story of my life.

27 comments:

Esmé Squalor said...

THis is almost frightening.
It is beautiful.
Wow.
(now speechless.

iva yaneva said...

wow, this is gorgeous! I love old books so much, this is just perfection :)

Anonymous said...

My gosh, whoever said OCD is a bad thing have not seen your work yet ! How ??!! Coloured pencil ? Love the tiny accents...my favourite is the teeny tiny key and the hearts...but does the one unlock the other ?

Fiona

suzanne cabrera said...

I may just pass out from this one...

cristinoel said...

Only an artist-type would want books of this kind. They are the only ones that see the potential.

cristinoel said...

I forgot to mention - It looks just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

OK...I spotted the key and your initials...
Andrea, you always stop me in my tracks.

The Little Fox said...

This.Is.So.Scaringly.Beautiful.

Kathleen said...

magnificent

Christielove said...

you are amazing

Sydney Harper said...

Wow just wow.

joseph's art and stuff said...

good God girl, your work continues to floor me! who would think to turn a book into a wonderful pice of art... you. love it, can't wait to see more!

Mooneybeams said...

Hmmm - saw the key and the hearts, off to hunt for your initials!

This is jaw droppingly good, as always!

petescully said...

unbelieveably good! So subtle.

PocketsOfInspiration said...

How lucky are we that can look at this and appreciate the beauty in it?

A work of art.

Louise said...

OMG
{*}

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Wow, thanks folks.

I'm so glad you liked it. It is quite a special piece for me, but I didn't think that you could get the full effect from the photos.

I'm also pleased that so many people have called it scary! I like that. I like that I have stirred some sort of emotion in people. That is the greatest compliment.

Fiona, I used pencil, coloured pencil and a little ink.

Fiona and Kim, thanks for pointing out the love hearts!! I never even knew they were there?! That's interesting. I was so emerced in the stains. Hmmmmmm.

Melanie, thanks so much for ALL the lovely comments. I'll get to answering your questions soon.

Thank you, guys. I hope one day you can own this book too.

Much Love.

Aurileide Alves said...

So real! So wonderful that I thought it was not a draw but a real book! Great!

mrana said...

argh where's the wall so I can bash my head against it again?! This is amazing Andrea.

Caroline B said...

That was quite an undertaking! I too, thought it was a real book at first glance - can't wait to see what comes next.

A Brush with Color said...

Amazing--beautiful!

Anonymous said...

This is such an interesting and intriguing concept, almost beyond comprehension, hence the scariness. But the beauty makes up for it.

Pippa said...

"Why is she showing us photographs of a book? That's not very like her. Although, that writing looks a lot like hers... hang on a minute... that's a drawing?!"

I was utterly gobsmacked. I am in awe of your genius.

Unknown said...

this makes my heart ache. so so good.

Art is for the Making said...

Wow, this is GREAT. Love it, love it. Yes, this is obsession worthy.

martinetminet said...

wow your drawing are amazing....

do you do contract or sell your drawing by any chance...

TonyaA said...

Great Work!
Blessings, peace, and love to you!
Tonya