Dear Everyone ~
My ninth workshop collaboration with Cat Bennett—Bookful for The Arrival of Winter—debuts in just under two weeks. On Saturday, January 28, we will all convene to make our buttonhole-stitch books. The spine has a little window in it, through which you see your embellished signature folds. Speaking of signatures, I think of this structure as my signature binding style. I’m thrilled to be teaching this technique as a Bookful workshop for students far and wide.
I have assembled all the materials for the kits, and it was quite a fest of Wanderlust. Two students’ parcels are wending their way to Canada, and one is en route to Austria. All of the stateside parcels have also been entrusted to the USPS and are on their way to all corners of the country!
I truly love students’ exuberance for wanting to make more and more books. It brings a smile to my heart from ear to ear. One Bookful student has ordered all three palettes, and three students have ordered two palettes. We will be joined by a young couple from Arlington VA, who will be sharing their new bookbinding tool kit. They each will have their own set of materials. I ❤️ this!
Cat is generous talking about her creative process. She offers warm-up exercises to get us in the flow. One of my personal all-time favourite Cat mantras is act on inspiration. When I suggested she elaborate on this here, she replied:
“Hmmm. Not easy to do, I have no idea!! It’s all intuitive and natural and I basically do what I did when I was in kindergarten—just pick up a pencil and start with a mark!”
“I like to use different mediums—watercolour, gouache, and coloured pencils too. Some things are best painted. Some can be bolder in cut papers. Sometimes a simple pen drawing and a few words is enough. With painting, I put down the basic shapes in color and then add detail with paint or coloured pencil. I’m looking to make art that surprises me so I often try things in different ways—flat, strong colours or bold lines.”
“I love that I never know what will emerge. I like to work on the book in one fell swoop, as much as possible, to keep the stream of ideas flowing. I may change things, even the first page. The images speak to me and tell me what to do next. In the end, there it is—a beautiful story that I didn’t know wanted to be told.”
If you are considering joining us, I will still have time to ship your kit(s). As always, Cat & I like to emphasize, especially if you are a Bookful newcomer, that absolutely no drawing, painting, collaging, or bookbinding experience is necessary. The pace and camaraderie are truly zen. (Plus you will have complete videos to watch and rewatch—all 12 hours-ful!)
Bookful for The Arrival of Winter
Anticipatory, Bari