{ Artist Book : Green Grass & High Tides } : Winter 2021 //
Artist Books are some of my absolute favorite books to work in and to develop as a Book & Paper Artist. With so many found, handprinted and gel printed papers that are way too beautiful to throw away, Artist Books are the perfect solution to house funky collages and practice mark-making and hand lettering.
Artist Books take me YEARS to complete. As I loose interest or motivation in a particular book, I put it away and wait for inspiration to return. This way I have lots of techniques to choose from as my skills develop and I can watch my progress as an Artist over the years. The collages that you see now are not what the final collage will look when completed.
This Artist Book below is 4.5 x 8 x 1” using Canson Watercolor paper. There are (5) signatures bound together using a coptic stitch. In each of the pictures below, I describe the materials I use to create the collages that you see.
The cover of this book was created using a brown grocery bag. The hand lettering was applied using black walnut ink and a handmade cola pen. Collage papers include spray ink (my favorite are Dylusions!), handprinted papers using acrylics and handmade stamps and the black fern prints with a bleach discharge. The back cover is eco-printed on reclaimed wool.
This spread includes found papers, reclaimed paint chip, one of those beautiful gel printed paper scrap, scrapbook paper and hand lettering. I practice hand lettering as often as possible. Artist Books are a great place to work on that particular skill!
This spread includes spray inks, mark-making using black India ink and another handprinted gel print on found paper.
This spread includes spray ink, mark-making using black india ink applied with a handmade cola pen and elementary handwriting paper.
This spread includes spray ink background, watercolor (wet on wet application), hand lettering using black walnut ink applied using a handmade cola pen, and various found papers
How about you? Do you have books that you like to work in? How do you like to work in them? And if you are looking for the next installment of my Printmaking Series…do not worry! It is coming up in my next post. I got excited working in my Artist Books and wanted to share!
{ Little Red Corvette } : 3x 5 x 1" : New Work by Becca Imbur // November 2020
{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Spine View
{{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Front View
{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Back View
{ Little Red Corvette } : 3 x 5 x 1” : Binding View
{ New Works : Personal Graffiti } Vol 2 //
I am continuing to experiment with personal graffiti, free form calligraphy and COLOR with my newest handmade book collection. And there are so many more to come!
I LOVE this one with the lime green and magenta color combo. I do not typically for for green but I think that may need to change…
‘Let It Go’ : 3.5 x 4.5” : Spine View
‘Let It Go’ 3.5 x 4.5” (Front Cover View)
‘Let It Go” : 3.5 x 4.5” : Back View
‘Let It Go’ : 3.5 x 4.5” : Endcover View
‘Let It Go’ : 3.5 x 4.5” : Spine View 2
Dreamy blues and purples will always be my fall back color combo. Can you blame me?
‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Spine View
‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Front Cover View
‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Back Cover View
‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Endcover View
‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Spine View 2
Thank you for checking our my newest work! My work is currently only available locally through the galleries that carry my work but that will change after the holidays when I fully update my Etsy shop! Happy Holidays!
{ 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.