In addition to Spirit Art, Melody creates Fore-edge paintings. What does art have to do with elevating consciousness? Any creative activity brings you into alignment with Spirit. She encourages you to make time for your creativity.
What are fore-edge paintings?
Fore-edge paintings are rare and found mainly in libraries and private collections. For an artist to create a fore-edge painting the pages are fanned. Then by clamping the fore-edge of a book, a surface is formed exposing the tiny edges of each page. A miniature watercolor painting is applied to these edges. An edge decoration, such as gold gilt, sometimes marbling, hides the painting. The fore-edge painting is only seen when the book is open and fanned. When closed the painting disappears, creating a phantom image.
In the 10th century, monks cataloguing monastery libraries identified books by lettering “class-marks” on the closed edges. Eventually, these marks included names, family crests, and other decorative objects, often in color. By the 17th century, someone decided to fan and clamp the front edge of the book, thus holding the pages in place so that the paintings could be applied. The earliest known signed and dated fore-edge painting is on a copy of the Holy Bible published in 1651 on which the Lewis brothers, Stephen and Thomas, apparently worked together. It was signed and dated in 1653. The Bible now resides in the New York Public Library.
Fore-edge painting of St. Teresa of Avila
As all art changes through the ages, fore-edge painting is no exception. Today we have new materials, evolution in technology and thought. Art is not isolated from its time. In ancient times we had cave paintings. Art changed its form in the Middle Ages which represented an Age of Faith, which was later replaced in the Renaissance, a rebirthing with works of great artists like DaVinci, and Giotto, and fast forward into the 20th century we had Cubism and Expressionism.
Now in the 21st century, it is indeed time to create new fore-edge paintings that represent the soul of the times with the resources that are available today. Fore-edge painting is about to change. Materials now permit the fore-edge painting to be seen and protected from the elements while the book is closed as a new form of artistic expression. While we can still admire the traditional beauty of the hidden painting, innovative fore-edge painting of the 21st century is what the artist must explore. Melody creates both, the traditional fore-edge paintings and modern 21st century fore-edge paintings.
Fore-edge Painting Gallery
To view gallery, click here.
Want more information? Hidden Treasures: the History and Technique of Fore-edge Painting by Jeanne Bennett is the only book ever written about the technique of Fore-edge painting. Melody’s Fore-edge paintings are featured in this landmark book.