The ins and outs of Bookful Nº 8

Dear Everyone ~

Bookful of Painted Paper Collage is my eighth Bookful collaboration
with artist, author & dear friend Cat Bennett. Our four-Saturday workshop via Zoom will debut Saturday, October 1. And the book we will make measures… 8 x 8!

Our inspiration for this Bookful is “inside / outside”, referring to things around us—as Cat explains, “whether it be a still life of fruits and vegetables on our kitchen table, a pot of tea and a book, or plants we notice on a walk.”

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

The book structure you will make is a traditional accordion book measuring 8" x 8" x ½" when closed. When completely open it will span 5½ feet! The materials I’ve chosen for this are Stonehenge Drawing paper for the accordion pages, Japanese fabric for the “floating spine”, and Cambridge Imprint papers for your front and back covers. You will also learn to recess a 2 x 2 window in your front cover, to which you can affix a card with a title or a mini-collage. (Not to obsess about the recess: it’s the exact same technique to put one in any hardback cover, so it’s a perfect way to personalize.)

Cat will lead the group in exploring free-form colour mixing and preparing a selection of painted papers, from muted & subtle to bright & bold. Once they’ve dried, you will cut your papers into shapes for creating images. Cat believes that collage allows us to work quickly and freely to make a snapshot of our daily lives. We will also make small abstract works to accompany any words we might want to add to our books as annotations. Painted paper collage is like drawing with scissors: a beautiful way to simplify and make bold & beautiful works of art.

I will be assembling each kit individually with a complementary combo of Japanese fabric & Cambridge Imprint papers. In addition to the materials for your book, you will also receive a stacklet of 80 lb sulphite drawing paper (9" x 12") to paint on, six extra hinges for good measure, and last but not least, a Cambridge Imprint envelope overflowing with Cambridge Imprint scraps for your collaging pleasure. If you fancy a particular Cambridge pattern for your cover, please e me and I will do my best to accommodate. And, as always, If you’d like to purchase an additional set of materials, you certainly can!

Cat & I want to assure you, especially if you are a Bookful newcomer, that absolutely no drawing or bookbinding experience is necessary. The pace is comfortable and the camaraderie is delightful. Plus you will have four complete videos to watch and rewatch.We look forward to seeing you soonish via Zoom!

Bookful of Painted Paper Collage

Infinitely (∞) excited, Bari