I made a book...

 It's not often I land where I have, which is I have made a book and I don't know what it is. I guess that reflects my time at the cottage a bit - I am less purposeful and more explorative; more open to trying a bit of this or that simply because I don't have a full set up or I have fewer commitments or goals to hit.

So I started painting marks with an acrylic ink onto some lovely kraft card squares I had brought with me. Payne's Grey and White.

Not knowing where I was going, I turned them over and kept going.

And then I cut them down and put them together and they were a BIG book - heavy and hard to handle, so B suggested maybe make two books. So I looked for some paper or card to make extra pages and found some beautiful Vintage Paper Company paper which I could use; as well as a test page where I had laid out all the stitching mark for my peg piece - as well as some test  stitching. 

I embossed some lines I had previously cut for my first book in my exchange The Shape of Things with Annwyn way back in 2022 into some black paper/card I had here, and then stitched them using some thread that a friend had passed along to me after her mother died. All together a compilation of things that I found along the way.

Here they each are standing - quite firm paper means they stand well!

And a selection of openings.

So my question is are they done? There is already so much in them it seems to me that it could be hard to add to them. I have pondered writing in tiny writing around some of the marks, between some of the marks and maybe begin to tell a bit of a story of sorts?

Is there any way the marks could guide me to a narrative or story? Could they support and enhance a storyline?

I have pondered are they just lovely things to look at?

Or are they book-like journals with pages begun and space for new ideas to be jotted down, sketched in? Something to be added to?

It's quite the confusement for me. I am usually far clearer in my intention before I begin; these wee ones evolved and became something, but I remain uncertain as to how best to use and appreciate them. 

Thoughts welcomed and gratefully received!

And in a weird sideline; as I was connecting my phone to transfer these photos across, I opened to this photo. 10 years ago I made these books with Susan Bowers, and I was struck by how similar they are to the shapes, tones and marks of the ones I have completed here. Very graphic in their sensibility. In these wee ones we deliberately left the pages unbound so the story could be told and re-told in whatever way one chose. My new ones are firmly bound.

Interesting.

2024, the year in review

 This time of year is good for so many things - slowing down, forgetting what day it is, as well as looking back and looking forward.

Each year I reflect on what I made in the course of the year, and consider the pieces I like the most; or those of which I am most proud. Sometimes they are real works; at other times they are simply little pieces that gave me great pleasure.

This year I have a real blend of things, as it was a busy year exhibition-wise and I experimented with different things.

In alphabetical order only, no listing of favourites by ranking, here are the ten pieces I made this year which I like the most.

1. All That Was Lost

The feature piece of my exhibition Hame, these five scrolls cascaded beautifully into their rusty tins, with the hand stitched words depicting such rich and full lives and homes. My heart still feels warm when I look at this piece and I'm thrilled it has a new home at the Strathnaver Museum.

2. Bundled and Burnt

Another piece for my exhibition Hame, this piece is so simple, so elegant and so poignant. It too now resides with the Strathnaver Museum and whilst I will miss it, I hope to visit it there again one day. The background story can be found here.

3. Grief is a Stone book-ets and cards

The three poems here, pondering grief at different points along the way; hand illustrated, embossed and stitched; are quiet and gentle acknowledgements of grief.

4. Hame exhibition activity

Alongside the exhibition Hame this activity brought me so much joy! Visitors participated by writing their responses to four questions over the four weeks and I hand stitched each week's responses into a book. I loved to read people's thoughts and was impressed by the time and consideration they gave to them. Such a lovely record of what home means to folk.

5. I Hit a Wall

This one kind of came out of the blue towards the end of the year, when I was just taken by the notion that this work, incomplete as it appeared, was in fact complete. I tacked the pages together and it was done. Telling the story of the pandemic in 2021 and how weary we were all were; how many things we had to deal with; how many decisions were made daily and how we were transfixed by press conferences, updates and data.

6. Pebble Jewellery

The Pebbles exhibition offered me the opportunity to expand my work into all sorts of mediums - laser jet cut steel words into stone sculptures; and hand formed-silver jewellery in the form of pebbles. I discovered I loved making pebble jewellery! And folk also seem to appreciate it. I now have an exclusive arrangement with a shop to sell it for me - who knew?!?!

7. The Emigrants

This unbound book was another new direction for me with the overlaying of photographs onto lightweight papers as illustration and image. Although the postcard size, Letraset and hand stitching meant it didn't venture toooo far away from me. Another piece for my Hame exhibition.

8. The Shape of Things 6

Although this piece was not my favourite amongst all of the books for The Shape of Things, it does make me happy as it reminds me what a lovely collaborative exchange it was with Annwyn Dean. It was also the only piece completed this year as all the others were made in 2023.

9. Together

Sometimes its a large exhibition or collection-worthy piece; sometimes its a small gift or offering that heads out and around... These together cards are the latter; and they just remind me of how important it is to stand alongside folk and remind ourselves we are not alone.

10. Travelling Home

Last, but definitely not least. This piece has been in the making for years. More than five, as ideas about pegs and threads and two homes percolated about in my brain. Hame offered me the place to put it together with notions of here and there, of travelling and of reminders of home. I quite simply love this piece and it is the only piece of my own work I have ever put up on our wall.

Thanks for coming along on the wander back through the works of 2024. On reflection having so many exhibitions to participate in meant I really did create some work! For once I was spoiled for choice for selection rather than rummaging through and trying to find the small things... It also looks a lot like my palette - the soft muted tones and a surprising amount of blue.

I focussed on the notion of home a lot, and the impacts of displacement on women; pebbles also featured in different ways, as did grief. Community, collaboration and care are there; along with my new found passion for silversmithing. Life is good and it was a very fortunate year.

Here's to more making.

Some lovely times...

 We had an amazing weekend at the studio (hence no Sunday post...) with Barry's exhibition of small watercolours, plus the showing of The Shape of Things, and a general happiness around other studio items on sale. We were thrilled, exhausted and exhilarated.

The opening on Friday was a real buzz, and I managed to take ONE photo!  Barry speaking at the opening.

I had lots of lovely conversations about the collaborative exchange with Annwyn called The Shape of Things, and so many people pored over the books and loved the stories behind them. 

In the lead up I had managed to make two pairs of pebble earrings - each earring with one silver and one oxidised silver pebble. They both sold on the night, which was very special.

Hopefully I will get the chance to make some more soon!

In other news I have bundled up some Together cards and whilst some are already in the post; others are waiting for a free moment to be able to address the envelopes -  it has been quite busy but hopefully the next few days will see them on their way. Please let me know your address so I can send you some (if you'd like them).

And I captured this serene moment on a side table in our house. So quiet, so still, so delicate...

Wishing us all some moments of quiet and stillness in the upcoming weeks...

A showing of The Shape of Things

 During 2023 and into January of this year, Annwyn Dean and I undertook a small and beautiful exchange of artists' books. Working with the theme The Shape of Things, we each created six books, in an edition of 2 each time. We kept one book for ourself and sent one book across the globe, so that we each have a set of 12 stunning artists' books along this theme.

I have documented the process on the blog see here for a summary of 4 of them; here and here; and in April this year, Annwyn prepared a catalogue of our work so we have a repository for the stories and the artwork.

During one of the exhibitions at the studio this year I was fortunate enough to be able to show and share the books with a group of interested artists' book makers who were enthralled by the project, and the outcomes. This got me to wondering if I should ensure these lovely books got a little showing of their own?. Not an exhibition; and the works will not be for sale; but just a chance for more folk to see them, to hold them and to enjoy them.

And now they will have!

Barry is having a solo exhibition of his small watercolour paintings in the studio on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December (opening event is 5pm Friday night and all are welcome!) and I thought this might offer an opportunity for lots of folk to see the books. I am arranging to make a small display of them in the studio space, so that those attending Barry's show can also peruse the books.

In addition all other studio items will be 25% off for the weekend, so it really could be worth a visit!

Here are a couple of compilations of Annwyn's, then my work. They are remarkable complementary (we did share papers with each other).

I am really looking forward to more people seeing them and enjoying them.

And here are just a few of Barry's postcard-sized watercolours that will be on show...

Brushstrokes...buildings, boats, birds and the occasional bovine!

It will be a great way to round off the year.

The Shape of Things - a catalogue

 I was thrilled a wee while ago when Annwyn asked if I would mind if she made a catalogue of our collaborative exchange of Artists' books "The Shape of Things", and of course I said 'yes!". It was such a great idea to have something tangible that held a record of our books and a bit of the story and background to it all. 

We have both documented the process and the individual outcomes; and I have pulled all the books together for a final gathering post here on the blog, but there is still something wonderful about being able to hold a book about it, in your hands. Rather than simply looking and clicking and linking.

And last week, the catalogue arrived in the mail. I simply love the cover. The muted tones, and the layering our papers in such an elegant and refined manner, accompanied by such fine stitching and detail.

I can see hints of some nest prints, some braille paper and the word 'home', all from my papers... partnering so well with Annwyn's own.

 

And the Japanese stab binding is intricate and delicate.

Inside each book has its own page, and there is an introductory page as well, explaining a bit of the back story.

Annwyn's Artist Statement followed by her first and last book.

My Artist Statement followed by my first and last books...

Annwyn also managed to use this fabulous paper on the inside of the front cover - stunning!

It is such a lovely thing in and of itself; but it is made even lovelier by the stories told within its covers, and the story of the collaboration that brought it into being. Thank you Annwyn.

More exhibition activity printing

 I had managed to fit the printing of the first 20 postcards from the 1st week of the exhibition activity back here; and then I had a day where I knew I could have a full run  at it, so I did!

I managed to print the second week's question onto 40 pages; then I re-set the type for week 3 and cut the 40 pages and printed, and then re-set for week 4 and cut the final pages and printed, and now they are all dried and ready to head to the exhibition.

Phew!

Week 2's question is: When I think of home, a word I think of is..."

Week 3 asks the question "If forced to leave, what three things would you take with you?" Which may have needed which rather than what, but I think most folk will get the gist of it.

I think Week 4's question "To make a home in a new place I would..." is interesting. It goes to the heart of what makes a home for an individual - perhaps an item, perhaps a ritual, perhaps creating a feeling...

And I have now packed each of the 'books-to-be' with their covers and their cards in a box, ready for transportation. They will be quite thick I think if folk complete all the cards!

I am really looking forward to seeing where people take this, and hoping that I am busy stitching books at the end of each week!