1 January 2007
Before I begin…
Posted by Lady Artisan under: KSProject .
I got my third Keith Smith book this Christmas (not Vol III but Vol II, 1-, 2- and 3-Section Sewings) and realized I’d only done a couple of bindings out of Vol I and one binding out of Vol IV and there’s so much more to explore and learn from them….Which is when the crazy idea hit me: work through his books, starting with Volume I and going for as long as I feel like it. Make one of each binding (more if the mood strikes me or if I particularly like a binding technique or if I want to play around with an alternate version). Did I mention crazy?I know, Mr. Smith spends lots of time in Vol I explaining how important it is to see the binding as part of the whole, something about the space-time continuum being ordered by bookbinding and books singing duets, but I just love the physical act of putting a book together and binding it. Now, don’t lambast me for sticking my tongue in my cheek while writing this. I actually love his explanation for the mental objective at the beginning of his first book but I also find it thoroughly intimidating. It’s probably why I have yet to do an art book, preferring to focus my artistic attention on the covers, book structure and binding than the content.
So, it’s New Year’s Day and time for resolutions. Of course, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions so I’ve decided to challenge myself instead. Here are the rules:
- Start with Volume I, Non-Adhesive Binding: Books Without Paste or Glue and work through as many volumes as I can or want to.
- Use only polymer clay for the covers (mixed media allowed, as long as the cover is mostly pc–embellishments are definitely allowed and possibly fabric for structural purposes). Pages are up for grabs–anything goes; pc, fabric, paper, or whatever.
- Can be a blank book or an art book with content.
- No stress! (Ah, music to my ears).
- All rules are completely arbitrary and subject change at a moment’s notice according to my whim, interest, level of exhaustion or frustration, the weather, lunar cycle, and if my dog has fleas or not.
For anyone who decides to follow this little adventure of mine, don’t expect me to do anything daily here–two young kids, part-time work, a new very young dog, and a big house. Need I say more? But I will, of course. I’m also working on a couple of other projects (sculpted dolls if you must know) so this will just be worked into the mix like everything else.
