In the second half of 2020 I started a book-long erasure poetry and collage project: The Summer Book project.
I have been mining Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book for poetic lines that express the isolation of living with a bewildering chronic illness and the struggle to keep a sense of purpose. This came about after reading a line in the introduction about how “an island can be dreadful for someone from the outside” and how it “has no need of you”. I just couldn’t decide if I’m the person the island has no need of or if I’m the island.
Progress has been slow, because I’m constantly distracted by a million things. Then there was some growth.
I wrote a post a while back “Where to go from here“. I talk about how I realised that this victim narrative was keeping me trapped in my discomfort. So now I’m making a conscious effort to draw out the positive instead of the negative.
I’d like to share some of these newer erasure works with you today 😊
You can also follow my progress on my Instagram page.
Tender Rebellion 
These are wonderful.
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I love this insight Conny ” I just couldn’t decide if I’m the person the island has no need of or if I’m the island.”
And your images with your poetry are just gorgeous!!!
💞
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Thank you, Cindy! Being a strong introvert, I relish the isolation sometimes. I guess this illness has given me the space to find those parts of my childhood self again, that I had lost in the process of being moulded into “a productive member of society.”
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You’re so welcome!
This is such a gift!!💕
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What fascinating artistic interpretations of poetry! Loving the muse-like feel of these pieces. 🙂
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Thank you, Layla!
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Too beautiful.
Your Creativity rocks!
I will forever be wondering how you get the images over the page.
Words are lovely. Thanks, Conny.
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Thank you, Selma! Wonder no more… 😊 I mainly work digitally. I use an application called GIMP. It’s a open source (free) program that does everything that Photoshop does. So, it’s all about layers and blending options and transparency.
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Gimp. Thanks for sharing that. Keep inspiring me. Beautiful work you do. 👏
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These erasure works are beautiful Conny! Loved the artwork, and the lovely lines! I particularly liked, ‘Calm hours have smooth spines, as sleek and pale as the sea of summer.’ Best wishes for drawing out the positive in you, and your Summer Book Project!
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Dominic, you’re so kind! Thank you for your support.
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My pleasure Conny!
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