{ BOOKMAKING AT FLOYDFEST : JULY 26-27, 2019 } //

It will never cease to amaze me the wonderful opportunities that are presented to me for being a Book + Paper Artist Teacher. This summer my weird skill set allowed me to attend Floydfest—a large outdoor music and art festival held annually in the beautiful mountains of Floyd, VA.

Rebecca, an art teacher from Roanoke, joins me for Mini Accordion Album

It has easily been 8 years since I attended any music festival. One thing that I forgot—music festivals are SO MUCH FUN.

A young Artist Friend joins me Mini Flower Fold

I taught two variations of mini handmade books—the Flower Fold and the Accordion Album. I had several repeat visitors. It was GREAT to see the interest that young Artists have in book arts!

When one Young Artist does it, the others often join in…

While the Mini Accordion Album can be a bit tricky for my younger Artist friends, once they get the hang of it, they love to keep adding more and more pages. Rainbow Accordions are always a huge hit!

We had a full house for Mini Accordion Session 2!

A dedicated future book artist joined for me Mini Accordion Album Session 2

After a weekend of teaching, the rest of the weekend was mine to enjoy! I danced into the early hours of Sunday morning. I came home with a stack of CDs from great new Artists, sunburned, exhausted and hungry. Decompression can be hard after such a fun-filled weekend of friends, art and music, but memories of spending my weekend teaching an old world art form that I love is absolutely priceless!

{ New Works : Personal Graffiti } Vol 2 //

I am continuing to experiment with personal graffiti, free form calligraphy and COLOR with my newest handmade book collection. And there are so many more to come!

I LOVE this one with the lime green and magenta color combo. I do not typically for for green but I think that may need to change…

‘Let It Go’ : 3.5 x 4.5” : Spine View

‘Let It Go’ 3.5 x 4.5” (Front Cover View)

‘Let It Go” : 3.5 x 4.5” : Back View

‘Let It Go’ : 3.5 x 4.5” : Endcover View

‘Let It Go’ : 3.5 x 4.5” : Spine View 2

Dreamy blues and purples will always be my fall back color combo. Can you blame me?

‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Spine View

‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Front Cover View

‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Back Cover View

‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Endcover View

‘Moving On’ : 6.25 x 4” : Spine View 2

Thank you for checking our my newest work! My work is currently only available locally through the galleries that carry my work but that will change after the holidays when I fully update my Etsy shop! Happy Holidays!

{ INK INSPIRATIONS : PART ONE } : Sketchbooks // Oct-Nov

And the ink experiments carry on! I am working in so many different books at the moment and have no plans to stop any time soon. I am becoming more comfortable experimenting with color and bringing in experimental calligraphy with cola pens. My next step is to go in and add details with gel pens…a step I cannot wait to begin!

{ 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.

{ 40 Day Markmaking Challenge : Part One }

Back in May, I become enthralled with Helen Terry’s blog post about her experiment with the 40 Day Mark-making Challenge. She made her own handmade book with loads of different types of paper with the commitment of making marks for 40 consecutive days.

I loved the concept and decided to embark on my own 40 Day Mark-making challenge. I enjoyed it so much that working in one book a day was not enough. In this week’s blog post, I will share various pages from my own handmade book. Papers include vellum, found/salvaged, handmade, watercolor, drawing, Kraft papers and more!

I used watercolors, India inks, spray inks and of course, my beloved cola pens. There were many failures…the challenge of so many different papers consumed me. Below are the experiments that I found acceptable.

Be warned…taking on the 40 Day Mark-making Challenge is addictive!