Building a Book

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” 

― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

I have not read Mr. (now deceased) Adams' books but I really related to his quote above.  In fact, I always feel that if a project is not complete before a deadline then I am really totally behind.  Makes no sense, it's just how I am.

To that end I am thrilled to hear the whooshing noise of a deadline go by as I finalize the last of several paintings and drawings I am doing for a friend's book on Marrakech, Morocco.  Not stealing her thunder nor revealing the gist until she (and others) hear their deadlines whoosh into publication, I nevertheless less will share some of the pieces I've sent.

grinding argon nuts in the Atlas Mountains, oil

camel waiting for a rider, pen and ink

mint tea service, oil

Mosque entrance, w/c in sketchbook

the rug souk, oil

pen and ink, portal

conundrum: I like the unfinished nature

of this piece so it is resting.

As the "real deadline" is actually another week away I

have time to tweak and cogitate...

WHOOSH........love that sound.

Next on the list.

COLORFULLY ON SCHEDULE,

Cindy

BOOK ART

For those of us who lament the claim that electronics will eliminate the need to ever hold a book with real paper pages and gorgeous binding: take heart!  Meet Sharon Sharp and she will reassure you that the art of books is alive and well and growing.  You just need to take another look!

Sharon Sharp, Boone, NC, is an artist, a poet, a teacher, an editor and probably a few other things of which  I am unaware!  When I met Sharon I immediately liked her and hearing she was teaching a class in bookmaking at the Florence Thomas Memorial Art School, in Glendale Springs, NC.  I signed up.  What an education I received!  I will never be a bookartist but I learned some new skills which will enable me to make a few gifts; I also gained an enormous  respect for those that do make these beautiful pieces of art.

Isn't this intriguing?  The folding book fits into the lower shelf of this beautiful box (which has a lovely closing leaf) and the six little cubbies you see at the top all contain handmade books as well.

Here is a shot of two covers she did previously.  Every inch of these pieces is exquisite and original.  Being a poet, Sharon has graced some of her books with her writing, others are blank for journals and others are meant to hold things in their pockets.  There was no end to the ideas and creativity she showed us.  I just wanted to ohh and ahh and start a new shelf in my library for handmade books....and while she swears they need to be used, I think they are very much collectors' items.

The class was great fun: a neat group of students and a very patient, talented instructor.

And a p.s.: As a painter I definitely gathered some new ideas to enhance my painting efforts...things I want to try in collaboration with some of the bookmaking techniques.  I am a big believer in "cross training" in the arts because I sincerely believe the cross pollination will ultimately make our own products much more interesting.

Thanks Sharon!

Visit her website at the link on her name to learn more about this art.