Looking Back at 2020

 

I started last year with this image, created with no idea of how precious our breaths would become and how strong we would need to stand. As I embark on new projects in 2021, I wanted to take a moment to remember the ones I did last year.

KEEPSAKE BOOKS VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE

Keepsake Books is a series of how-to bookmaking videos I made to offer a creative activity during the pandemic. While most of my videos focus on the construction, these deal with the content as well. Here's what I wrote about them:

Keepsake Books help us embrace all the complexity of life—to celebrate the joys, cope with the difficulties, and honor those who have passed. They are made with the most accessible of materials and the simplest of techniques. These are books of the heart, made with your fullest attention and deepest feelings. Each of the eight projects has a theme. There are ideas for content—words to write and simple illustrations to make. 

Videos are free to view on my youtube channel.

SUFFRAGISTS SPEAK

I had casually contemplated a project on women's suffrage and then suddenly became passionate to do something as the anniversary came closer. I enjoyed the research as well as the lettering and found such power in their words and their stories. I'm still working my way through my list of biographies and am in awe of every single woman.  

Suffragists Speak can be purchased on my website.

SEA JEWELS: WAVE PAINTINGS BY SANDRA KAVANAUGH

Sea Jewels is a catalog of pastel wave paintings by my friend Sandra Kavanaugh. The book is 6" high by 8" wide. All the paintings are reproduced actual size. I am amazed at the power and immediacy she achieves at such a small size. I designed the book and it was such fun to work together.

Sea Jewels can be purchased on Sandra's website. 

On deck for next year: design of a book of poems by Anne Mulvey called Family Matters, a new book by me called Naming the Garden with photographs of flowers with their Latin names in calligraphy,

a new video series on youtube involving calligraphy and words, and new Spirit Books. I am grateful every day for my work which keeps me grounded and inspired. 

Studio Sunday-Patience and Strength

Here are two words that I will need as I move forward with my video series. My daughter and I spent a long day yesterday filming a couple of segments. She then spent time that night editing the videos in imovie. I felt so ungrateful this morning when I watched the first video and burst into tears. I had no issue with the content. I just did not like the way I looked. Who is this person?

I had done a quick video by myself with my iphone earlier in the week and I so preferred it. The fact that it was not as clear and sharp helped a lot. And I realized that as encouraging as she was while she filmed me, I was not as relaxed as I had been when I was alone.

I am going to back and redo them. I'm going to try them without lights and see if I can soften the look without losing the clarity. I know I have a lot of good material worth sharing and that I can't let my vanity get in the way. I'll keep you posted.