During the months of December and January, I will be offering the following workshops in Tucson, AZ:

- Basic Bookmaking (two workshops) – This workshop will focus on quick and easy methods of creating a book. Cut and fold books, accordion books, skewer books, pamphlet stitch, etc. as well as combinations of several of the methods will give you a variety of forms in which you can begin your creative adventure in bookmaking. No experience necessary.

- Books with Recycled and Repurposed Materials (one workshop). This workshop will include some instruction on simple bookbinding, but will focus on ways creative ways to reuse materials to create books. No experience necessary.

- Artist Books: Content & Form (one workshop). Bring your ideas and works in progress and we will discuss creative resolutions to issues related to content & form.

- Image Transfers (one workshop). “At home” methods of transferring images (photographs, etc.) to paper.

The workshops will be quite small (4 to 5 people each) therefore allowing for more one on one instruction. Dates and times are somewhat flexible. Some supplies will be provided. Workshops that do not fill will cancel.

Now if there is one thing I probably don’t need right now it’s another book about techniques in making books. I have to admit I have more than my fair share of the buggers, most of which are basically duplicating information found in in another one sitting only a few books down on the shelf. However, when I spotted this one I couldn’t resist. Woohoo! It’s a very nice book packed with information, helpful hints, etc. on making books as a form of artistic expression. Seems to cover everything from simple binding techniques (also shows how to make a simple piercing cradle), to image making text and their incorporation. Great book for sparking the creative process, and believe it or not it even had some information not yet on my shelves!

]]> http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/another-how-to-book-to-check-out/feed/ 0 Alice book-art-handcrafting-artists-books-dorothy-simpson-krause-paperback-cover-art http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/what-is-art/ http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/what-is-art/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:07:09 +0000 Alice http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/?p=159 ]]>
]]> http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/what-is-art/feed/ 0 Alice http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/its-not-the-quantity-its-the-quality/ http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/its-not-the-quantity-its-the-quality/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:12:37 +0000 Alice http://myartistsbooks.wordpress.com/?p=146 ]]>

Moment & Memory Reception

These words couldn’t be more true, as was the case at my most recent reception. I was a little unsure as to whether anyone would actually show up, given the odd day and time (which by the way was so due to summer hours of operations at the U of A). It was a genuine concern so I put my faith in the lucky number thirteen, which was not only the date of the reception but the number of pieces I had in the exhibit as well. Now mind you this number 13 business was all purely coincidence, but I am of the belief that occasionally things might just happen for a reason.

So the morning of the 13th came and I knew it was off to a good start when I awoke to overcast skies and cool air. Now for those of you who have not experienced the hellish heat of an Arizona summer you might have considered that to be less than pleasurable weather, but for us was indeed a glorious sight. It meant that for at least that day we could be outside without fear of roasting from the inside out, we could drive with our windows down, and we could enjoy a day outside of our little boxes. The amazing thing was that it stayed this way all day, not just the morning, but all day long.

But that was just the start. Then there was the winning of $7 in the lottery, and then another $2. Things just kept happening.

By 2:30 I was at the school setting up the refreshment table and was still a little skeptical about attendance (hence why I only purchased fourty plates, cups, etc.) but kept my hopes up that at least a few people would come. Around 3:00 a couple of people trickled in and slowly but surely more people arrived. It appeared as if lucky 13 hadn’t let me down. Now I’m not going to say the place filled up to maximum capacity and was overflowing out the doors, actually it didn’t even come close to that. But you know what, there seemed to be a perfect amount of people. Not to many, not to few. Now some might have been a bit disappointed, but what I realized as the reception progressed is that everyone who wanted to spend time with my work was able to. There were moments when I saw two or more people at each pedestal, each person taking the time to read and enjoy the book that was in front of them. It was really wonderful to watch, and it felt like such an accomplishment simply to break that “hands off” barrier with the viewer. It’s always been important to me that the viewer be able to handle the work, after all they are books and what good is a book if you can’t experience the joy of turning the page and seeing what awaits you? That’s just my two cents anyway.

By the time it was all over I had been able to chat with virtually everyone who had come to see my work, some of which even pointed out things about the work that I had never noticed myself. It really seemed like everyone really enjoyed the show.

In the end the reception went really well, lucky 13 or not. More importantly however, is that I discovered that it isn’t the quantity of people that matters most, rather the quality of each of those individuals experience that really defines a successful show.

Thanks to all of you who have stopped by, or plan to stop by before the shows end.

The Killing Jar - books/installation piece.

My life, including my own artwork (that without class requirements), has been put on hold for the past several years and I often wonder where I would have been as a working artist had I not returned to complete my degree. What would have happened to my career had I simply continued to plow away at making and selling my work for those four years? Will I really gain something more substantial from all of this hard work, than a piece of paper and accumulated debt? I certainly thought that I would feel more of a sense of accomplishment than I currently do. There is the fulfillment of a dream, but there is also the reality that I am no more qualified for a better job than when I started. You’re probably wondering at this point what brought this all on. Well folks I’d like to be able to say that the 105º heat has fried my brain, but the truth is hours of having to sit inside and ponder my thoughts (as to avoid the sweltering heat) along with the rather poor show I had yesterday, has brought me to the sad realization that perhaps it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I feel that I am on the fast track to living out the rest of my life as a fry cook in some fast food joint, with no free time to make art or non art for that matter. I suppose not all hope is not lost yet though. I am starting a little business in a last ditch effort to “live the dream” (even if it’s only part-time) when I am finished with school, but with one year left I certainly feel that the pressure is on. So who knows if in the end it will have all been worth it or not, I guess only time will tell.

For those of you who might be out and about this summer, I will have work at the following exhibits:

June 15- July 16 – 10th Annual “Artists’ Books” Exhibition, Cuesta College Art Gallery, San Luis Obispo, CA

July 18 – 2nd Annual Summer Salon Group Exhibition and Sale, Tucson, AZ (please contact for more information)

August 10th – 19th – Moment & Memory, Lionel Rombach Gallery, University of Arizona

Just a couple of notes: The 2nd Annual Summer Salon Group Exhibition and Sale is a great chance to meet some very talented local artists, and pick up some artwork or gift items for yourself or others. The upcoming Moment & Memory exhibit at the University of Arizona, is a two person show with myself and photographer Jessica Livengood. Many of my works will be for sale and up to 50% of the purchase price will be donated to the gallery to aid in it’s continued dedication to exhibiting work by the students of the School of Art. If attending and interested in purchasing a piece, please speak to the gallery coordinator or contact me directly.

Also, don’t forget to check out the new Etsy shop – myartistsbooks.etsy.com .Currently I have a few artists books up for sale, but soon hope to have a nice selection of blank books and prints as well.

1 – Structure of the Visual Book

2 – Making Memory Books and Journals by Hand

3 - Cover to Cover: Creative Techniques for Making Beautiful Books, Journals and Albums

They were the only books I had for quite some time, and they have served me well. However, I now find that I tend to use most of my books about bookmaking for inspirational rather than informational purposes. My latest favorite’s are:

1 – Creating Artists’ Books

2 – The Book as Art

Again, more inspirational books but great ones indeed so be sure to check them out.