Morning Play-A rose is a rose

A few days ago I tackled the piles of paper on my desk so this morning a clean desk and my new glass pen, which I purchased at Papier Plume when I was in New Orleans, were an invitation to play. I recently reviewed my slides for my upcoming talk on the Gardens of Paris (Tues, April 22, 7 PM at the Newburyport Public Library) and one of a white rose was in my mind. I printed the photo, put tracing paper over it, and filled the rose with Gertrude Stein's famous words.

Manuscript for Passover from the British Library

The British Library has digitized MS 27210, the Hagadah for Passover (the 'Golden Hagadah'). The date is 1200-1699. Click on the images and then zoom in for wonderfully detailed views.

And of course there is much more to explore from the British Library. Thanks to Cynthia Garinther of Cynscribe for sharing this on facebook.

Book Arts Tuesday-Alicia Bailey Interview

A great feature by Zach Wolfson for Beyond the Gallery on Colorado book artist Alicia Bailey on infusion5 web television. She speaks of books, objects, and time. It's beautifully filmed and Alicia's thoughts on making books are eloquently expressed.

Watch the video.

Studio Sunday-New Business Cards

After years of printing my business cards on my inkjet printer, I was attracted by the ads for moo cards. What is fun is that you can print up to 100 different images on a set of 100 cards, if you that many images to share and the patience to upload them. I chose the mini moo size (1 1/8 x 2 3/4). I gave them out last weekend at two events, the Independent Publishers of New England Conference and the Book Arts Bazaar in Portland, Maine. For the conference, I think I might have been better off with a traditional size card. In addition to the puzzled looks, I got the sense that my little card could easily slip out of the pile of cards that was being collected. I thought they were more appropriate at my table at the Bazaar. The novelty of the size and the choice of images attracted interest.

It did take me two printing to get the cards I wanted and moo was accommodating. The first time I chose gray for the text on the back. The printing looked like it was done as a screen of black and the letters were broken and uneven. When I sent moo my complaint, they offered to print them again for free. For the second printing, I kept the text in black and changed the surface from matte to gloss which made the images pop more. When I do another printing, I will use only images that show all or most of the book. I thought the close-up shots might be interesting but I don't think they are meaningful outside the context of the whole book.

The Moo website

Book Arts Tuesday-Book by Walter Tisdale

I have had a busy few weeks and will slowly be sharing my experiences in New Orleans, at the Independent Publishers of New England Conference, and at the Book Arts Bazaar in Portland, Maine. For Book Arts Tuesday, I'll start with the treasure from my neighbor at the next table in Portland—Walter Tisdale. He is an extraordinarily skilled and sensitive creator of books. He gave me the gift of this bilingual volume of poetry by Niklas Törnlund, translated by John Tritica and illustrated by Kim Wilson.

Here's an essay by poet Karl Young about Walter's work.

Steve Miller's Book Artsits and Poets Podcast with Walter Tisdale and papermaker Katie McGregor

Walter will be teaching an Introduction to Book Arts class at Maine Media Workshops and College in June

Summer Workshops on Cape Cod

I'm very excited to be teaching at the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill on Cape Cod this summer. I'll be giving 2 workshops, each for 2 mornings. Here's the information:

BOOKMAKING WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS
June 30, July 1, 9 am-12 noon
$170. ($320 for both classes)

Enjoy bookmaking at its most friendly and accessible—no rulers or precious papers, no designing or planning ahead. The emphasis is on freedom and possibility—how the simplest forms can be adapted, varied, and combined to unlock our creative juices. Using cereal boxes and grocery bags, buttons, and sticks, we'll make intimate books that fold and fan, hang and stand.


SPIRIT BOOK WORKSHOP
July 2-3, 9 am-12 noon
$170. ($320 for both classes)

"Gratitude is a kind of seeing, an awareness of the magnitude of the gift of this earth."
Kathleen Dean Moore

Connect with your creativity and the spirit of nature in this hands-on workshop based on Susan's Spirit Book Series of sculptural handmade books. After an introduction to the Spirit Books and a walk to gather materials, you will make a simple handmade book and add texture, imagery, and pattern. There will be an array of materials to work with and gentle guidance from Susan whose twenty-five years of teaching bookmaking to children have made her a clear and patient instructor. No art experience or creative confidence is needed; this workshop is truly for everyone.

Both workshops are appropriate for all levels but may be of particular interest to those with little or no bookmaking experience. For those with experience, the workshops offer a chance to let go and play.

If you have any questions about the workshops, please leave a comment or email me.

If you would like information about the center or would like to register, go to the Truro Center for the Arts website.

View other Spirit Book workshops on flickr.

Books in Bloom 2014

I have my arrangement done for tomorrow night's Books in Bloom at the Newburyport Public Library. I feel a little self-serving using my own book but it has been the most important book to me this past year. Thinking about my life in art and drawing lessons from it has helped me enormously. I didn't know it at the time but I was talking most of all to myself. Thanks to Beach Plum Too for advice and freesia. I know it will be a great evening. It is always fun and inspiring to see the creations.