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Imaginal Trading Cards

I am modifying Artists Trading Cards for learning more about The Imagination

http://community.livejournal.com/artist_cards/

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/newstuff.html

http://www.europeanpapers.com/ supplies, papers, sleeeves for Cards

http://www.imaginalinstitute.com/imaginalcards.htm

SIZE: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" cards with images or materials on them... really, they are small collages on old playing cards

MATERIALS: We are going to use mostly natural materials, some recycled paper, markers, charcoal, postage stamps...

The materials we choose to work with should somehow be related to the natural world in color, origin, texture, smell, etc... and most importantly, evoke some memories of the natural world.

PURPOSE: We are using natural materials as a portal into a pre-conscious state of mind where we then "say" something. As my yoga teacher, Patty, put it a few weeks ago: "Express and Release" and my friend Judd, the fishing guide, puts it: "Catch and Release"

So we are a little different from the general pool of artists who make and trade cards. We are not making "art" but looking to catch and express and release something through this card-making. So don't get stuck on the techniques of this right now. Gather your glue, markers, papers... and start to compose... on old decks of playing cards.

THEMES: We are looking for materials from the natural world to help us say something about the interior world.

ACTION:

Do several cards at a time. That way no one card becomes too important. The process is protected

First, an ID... Make an object/Card that IDs who you are. What do you know about your prominent characteristics that you can realise in an object or a card?

Second, another ID... what aren't you telling us? What's that part that's deferred, tucked away. I suspect your first card/object may have been flattering or celebratory. Good! ... And, now? What else?

Third, tell me about your family, birth or mated.

Fourth, tell me about your clan. What you know or feel of your ethnicity?

OTHER THEMES to Start the Imaginal Tradding Cards:

Muse Cards: Read about The Muses and see which ones stir some response in the form of a Card

Spices Cards: Go to the cupboard or pantry and gather up all those spices sitting there.

Look at them as Card materials: Ah, we got Shape, Color, Texture, Smell ...

News Cards: somethnig in the daily nesw upsets and touches us. Start there

Archetype Cards: Make cards which reflect the archetypes most working through you now, and before

A SUGGESTED WORKING FORMAT:

Mark off 1/3 of it for some icon/image of You in the World: what you do; what you are proud of what you are recognized for

Thiis is your name tag. People will recognize you by this

Fill the other 2/3s with materials to express some of your "other" characteristics:

Something about your family, your clan, your country

Something about your shadow: your fears, secrets, shames (these can be hidden and covered over, if you want)

Something about your future and your past

Something that you've discovered, learned, hard-earned about life

COMMENTS

The model in this course is a pool that we are all in; This is not a pyramid, this is not a racetrack or a lap pool. This requires, I think, patience with your self, with all your voices. It may require a accidental or coincidental contact with someone, some place some thing... that scratches you into a new awareness... We are looking for portalss that are never in the same place. Alertness is your ally; the rest of us is your hunting group.

Notes on Composing from other artists:

DAN'S WORK-IN-PROGRESS

02-04-07 a photo as I had just started the first card

02-06-07 Then I wanted to do more at a time since I had all th materials and glue out ... Card with forest green tiissue, little gold foil (from a Xmas plant), some ink... These are scans, not photos

02-07-07 ... having added "shed snake skin" that came in a middle of the night thought, some fabric from my great grandmothers wicker chair, lichen... I've temporarily "lost" the 1/3 --2/3 concept... or perhaps scattered the concept of Upperworld Self and Otherworld self throughout the card

02-09-07 I 'm starting a new group I've "mixed up handfuls of dry leaves from the cormer of a back porch, added some dried Hydrangias. Glue all over four cards, thne the geometry of ripped forest green pieces of tissue paper and then some of my leaves.

New Procedure: I put wax paper over each of these and press them flat as they dry. Too much curling on the first ones.

02-10-07 Reactions the next morning... Hmmm a start. Hey, Wait.... I'm sitting at my computer... behind which are many many pictures that have been there for years:

There are connections between what I have placed at my computer shrine and what I am concocting out in my workshop

I've always responded to the glance of the face cards... and a friend, Charlie, had drawn me in a similar "watchiong" post in 1985

Another, aren't Holy Cards, really Religious Trading Cards:

And, finally, I have collected Kuba Cloth...

And finally, finally

IM Cards started 2.17.07

IM Cards started 2.19.07 Pink glossy card stock, wasp nest, burch bark