{ Afterschool Arts : Registration Opens Monday, August 19th } : Fall Session //

An Afterschool Artist works on decorating her Smash Book

Riv proudly displays her decorated Smash Book

An Afterschool Artist explores color and pattern as she makes the cover for her sketchbook

An Afterschool Artist diligently folds her pages for Mini Photo Accordion Book

In Afterschool Arts, young Artists ages 6 years and up explore a variety of mixed media supplies and techniques including book arts, printmaking, fiber/textiles, 3D design/assemblage and more! This September begins my third session of Afterschool Arts and it is one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon. If you have a Creative Child in your life that loves to work with non-traditional art supplies and mediums and wants to explore techniques in a fun and supportive environment, this class series is for them!

{ BOOKMAKING AT FLOYDFEST : JULY 26-27, 2019 } //

It will never cease to amaze me the wonderful opportunities that are presented to me for being a Book + Paper Artist Teacher. This summer my weird skill set allowed me to attend Floydfest—a large outdoor music and art festival held annually in the beautiful mountains of Floyd, VA.

Rebecca, an art teacher from Roanoke, joins me for Mini Accordion Album

It has easily been 8 years since I attended any music festival. One thing that I forgot—music festivals are SO MUCH FUN.

A young Artist Friend joins me Mini Flower Fold

I taught two variations of mini handmade books—the Flower Fold and the Accordion Album. I had several repeat visitors. It was GREAT to see the interest that young Artists have in book arts!

When one Young Artist does it, the others often join in…

While the Mini Accordion Album can be a bit tricky for my younger Artist friends, once they get the hang of it, they love to keep adding more and more pages. Rainbow Accordions are always a huge hit!

We had a full house for Mini Accordion Session 2!

A dedicated future book artist joined for me Mini Accordion Album Session 2

After a weekend of teaching, the rest of the weekend was mine to enjoy! I danced into the early hours of Sunday morning. I came home with a stack of CDs from great new Artists, sunburned, exhausted and hungry. Decompression can be hard after such a fun-filled weekend of friends, art and music, but memories of spending my weekend teaching an old world art form that I love is absolutely priceless!

{ Bookmaking with VT Industrial Design Students } : April 2019 //

On Friday, April 5th, I joined 14 VT students to create one-of-a-kind mini handmade books as part of a class entitled Mindful Makers. This was the second semester I have been invited onto campus to be a part of this class. Isn’t it funny how others see us in regards to how we see ourselves? When I was originally invited to join the class, I remember how honored I was to be thought of as ‘mindful’ in my making.

Working with young adults that know how to (and love) work with their hands is a treat!

A VT student is learning how to ‘convince’ the decorative paper that it wants to wrap around the book board.

Here the Instructor discusses with the class their final projects as we admire the uniqueness of each piece

Yes…mini handmade books are the cutest…these students nailed it!

This class has inspired me to become more intentional in my mindfulness in regards to the way I create. I try to weave mindfulness into every class, workshop and camp I facilitate. Breathe, be in the present and focus on workmanship.

{ Bookmaking Bonanza! : A Personal Dream Come True } : March 2019 //

In my mind, I had imagined this thing that I eventually named the ‘Bookmaking Bonanza!’ I wanted to gather a group of people together to see how many handmade books we could make in a day. I had tried multiple times to make this workshop happen. Third time is the charm! 11 magnificent women joined me on Saturday, March 23rd at the Floyd Art Center in gorgeous Floyd, VA to make this artist’s dream come true!

We made 5 handmade books in 5 hours—the Accordion Fold, Flower Fold, Smash Book (a variation on the Accordion Fold), Japanese Stab Binding and a 5 Hole Butterfly Stitch Pamphlet.

SO. MUCH. FUN. This group of women ROCKED it! Infinite gratitude to all that participated!

I am thinking that another Bookmaking Bonanza would be great around the holiday season?

{ NEW WORKS : Personal Graffiti } : October 2018 //

I was recently asked to participate in a group show for the holidays. I am completely honored to be a part of this group. I admire and respect the work they do, so I jumped on the chance to be included. But here’s the thing…I did not make ONE SINGLE BOOK in 2017. Not one.

‘Never Be’ 5.5 x 9 x 1” : (Binding View)

I did this for several reasons. One was BURNOUT. I was just frustrated. My books were not selling at various local galleries…or on Etsy…or at art fairs. So I quit. I quit making books.

‘Never Be’ 5.5 x 9 x 1” : (Front Cover View)

I realize now that this was not my best decision. To walk away from what I LOVE based on what the market told me? That is not me. That is not who I am as a Creative Person. I create because if I do not, I am do not feel Whole.

‘Never Be’ 5.5 x 9 x 1” : (Back Cover View)

So I started making books again. And I love them. They are funky and grungy and messy and so, so, so BEAUTIFUL. Just like me.

‘Never Be’ 5.5 x 9 x 1” : (Endcover View)

‘Let Them Go’ 5 x 7 x 1” : (Binding View)

‘Let Them Go’ 5 x 7 x 1” : (Front Cover View)

‘Let Them Go’ 5 x 7 x 1” : (Back Cover View)

‘Let Them Go’ 5 x 7 x 1” : (Endcover View)

My show with Ellen Braaten, Martha Sullivan and others will be on Saturday, December 1st from 10am-4pm at 702 York Street in breathtaking Blacksburg, Virginia.