{ 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
{ Designing Artist Books : Workshop in Review } : Floyd, VA //
This past weekend, seven women gathered at the Floyd Center for the Arts for the Designing Artist Books workshop.
Group photo! All the amazing ladies that designed Artist Books with me this weekend!
Plus Grace, who had to leave early for the opera!
We explored many background paper techniques using wet-on-wet and dry processes. The end product was less important than the process. We learned to not judge what was made since the paper would be used as a piece and not as a whole. This can be a challenging concept for many people!
Using watercolors and rubbing alcohol to create unexpected results on paper
We made as many papers in 4 hours as we could. The participants could use any technique that they learned that day to make their cover paper.
MaryJo exploring art and science while creating her background papers
Spray inks are always a huge success! Being highly pigmented make them very attractive to students of all ages.
Anne LOVES her ghost prints!
Penny and Suzanne exploring spray inks…the possibilities are endless!
Using everyday items found easily, on the cheap or around the home make pattern easy to create.
MaryJo using handmade stamps on black and Kraft cardstock paper
Our books are 6 x 6” while our papers are much larger. Participants cut down their papers to he desired size. This leaves them with loads of handprinted scrap paper to use as collage within their books.
Pat using scraps of her handprinted papers to collage her pages
We had an AMAZING time creating in community. The great thing about these books are that you can add, takeaway, make pages in any size, put int ages, envelopes, pockets and fold out pages. This is a book that is never done…making it organic and endless.
{ Handmade Book Challenge } // January 2019
I have been making handmade books for over 10 years. I tend to stick books I am familiar with making so that I can work on my craftsmanship while creating enough product to sell at various stores, galleries and shows. While teaching a class on bookmaking at the local university here in Blacksburg, VA, a friend of mine handed me a book on how to make books. As we combed through the book together, I realized that there were so many books that I had yet to discover! I decided to challenge myself to work from one end of the ‘How To’ to the other. This month, I created the 5 Hole Pamphlet (with inside folder), 5 Hole Pamphlet Do-Si-Do and the Basic Codex.
5 Hole Pamphlet : Front View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Spine View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Inside View with Folder
5 Hole Pamphlet Do-Si-Do : Front View
5 Hole Pamphlet Do-Si-Do : Back View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Front Top View
5 Hole Pamphlet : Back Top View
Basic Codex : Front View
Basic Codex : Spine View
Basic Codex : Back View
Basic Codex : Endcover View
{ 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.
{ NEEDING } : An Altered Book Spread //
