Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Binding as a Repetitive Textural Element in Cover Design







Here are photos of the latest book that I have made. It is a four needle Coptic journal with a Coptic Headband stitched onto the head and tail of the book. I have adorned the surface of the front and back cover with repeating graduated centipede stitches, as a texture over the top of the cover surface. The centipede stitches are purely decorative and serve no function in structural stability. The stitches on the inside of the cover run in parallel lines and provide a distinctive rhythm in the interior of the book. I must say this book is truly a delight to hold in your hands...that way a book should be. Enjoy till next time!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Exits: For the Dearly Departed
















The Chesser Studio Project proudly presents Exits: For the Dearly Departed as our exhibit for the month of November. In celebration of Day of the Dead and with a kind eye to those we've left behind over the years this show offers a vibrant look into the artists represented. Artists include : Vikki Turner Finch, Wayne McNeil, Dee Carriglino, Bertice McPherson, Seven Scribe Three, Lydia Host, Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough, Cameron Hodges, Sol Davis, Allise, Angela Rand, Julie Day, and Rachel Wright. The Chesser Studio Project will be open Wednesday afternoons from 2pm-5pm and Sunday Afternoons from 1pm-4pm. Come in and enjoy.

El Manuscrito Illuminado de la Muerta











I've been teaching a Bookbinding Survey at Space 301 in downtown Mobile this fall and it has been very exciting. This Sculptural Book is an outgrowth of that class. (I'll post about the class next week after I take some photographs.) I challenged my students, which are a wonderfully talented bunch, to create books outside of class and bring them in to share. I took this as a challenge for myself as well. I plan to make 3 new Bookworks and this is the almost completed first one. It is an Accordion Fold Book with Concertina Pleating. When backlit it will tell a narrative about life and death using birds and dancing skeletons as characters. When unlit the book will be seemingly blank. El Manscrito Illuminado de le Muerta will be on display at the Chesser Studio Project (which I will post about soon) the second friday in November, 6-9pm for LODA Artwalk. The show will be exciting so please come downtown and check it out.

Until next time take care!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

New Small Works




Here are two of the ten new small works that I have been creating for Ashland Gallery's Great Art Small Sizes show which opens November 13th in Midtown Mobile. (2321 Old Shell Rd. Mobile, Al 36606 - 251-479-3548) The works are Re-designed Vintage Book covers that have been over bound with historic Coptic stitches. They will be framed in very simple shallow shadowbox frames which will give them a very specimen like quality.