My interest in book arts began when I was studying Medieval Art and Illuminated Pages in graduate school at Cardinal Stritch University. Illuminated Manuscript, which refers to the decorative process to support the form of the letters, the theme of the content and the style of an individual letter forms, all plays a part in my fascination with books and their construction. But structure is only one part. What about content? Combining form and structure fascinated me and I began to write and illustrate books. It seems we have come full circle with books. Years ago, it was only the very few that had the privilege to own books. Beautiful illustrated books took years to produce. The printing press gave individuals the opportunity to carry their own book of verse with no middleman to tell them how to think. It was a vital point in our individual thinking. And now, with the onset of iPads, Kindle etc., the book has taking yet another form. It has gone back to its original intent of giving a personal spirit to the form and content for the individual creating their story, giving all of us the opportunity to give voice to our own journey.
The experience of hand making a book gives life to an idea and sharing it with others is just Amazing!
Close up samples of letters
Marks of Our Voice Mixed Media - Pen & Ink, computer technology, printed canvas
Size - 4ft x 17ft
Combining the history of letter design, Medieval scrolls, with a wonder for Bauhaus solid forms for the letters, I created an alphabet book of letters with a modern flair of playfulness. Each letter was researched to understand where it was formed and how it was developed in the the marks we understand today. The letters have an ancient meaning that travels time eternally.
Threads of our life closed size - 6x9 Best in Show Rogues Group, St. John Gallery - August 2019
'Wonderfully complex in its investigation of lines and forms. The visual narrative is engaging as it progresses from one page to the next, with forms appearing and disappearing, a play with positive and negative space and a combination of three dimensional shapes vs. flat. Reflects time and care in telling a personal story'. Juror - Kristin Gjerdset Artist and Professor of Art - Art Department Head Schlueter Art Gallery Manager - Wisconsin Lutheran College In creating this book, I was taken on a journey of healing. Recovering from surgery and not have much energy, I took a moment each morning to draw. This was a spontaneous process with no prep! It was very healing and all the drawings became part of the book as it is today.
Participated in the on line Book Art Competition, London The Wiener Library
Magick Power of Flowers and Color 3x3 inch Book
A 3x3 inch watercolor book. I have always been fascinated with flowers. I believe that flowers have given magic to everyone throughout time and I began researching their meaning. The flowers in this piece are done in watercolor with the lettering done on the computer, using my love of font style to enhance and compliment the paintings.
The book folds into a traditional book form and, at the same time, can be pulled apart to reveal a continuous verse of magic spells, done in 4 parts and assembled to be held in the hand as a secret. I was able to find a pouch and wrote a poem to go with the book. It makes a nice secret package.
Copper Tree - First Place - All the artist collaborating with a poet, Paula Schult, and others to transform their words into a work of art and they wrote beautiful prose for our paintings. She wrote for my painting - Take Flight and won First place for her poem.
Copper Trees
Everyone says “golden” but certainlythey are more copper. Seven, eight, maybeten stabbing themselves into autumn lightand the cloudless blue they never erasefor all their ragged wagging. Each centersupport ash gray but stalwart. This one life, and the coppercopperbluecoppergrey -copperblue of it. This only life I have.
Take Flight White Flower in Wind, you are always in the act of becoming. Child, you are a posture of spinning, petals-arms opening to the air around you.
The whirl of childhood suits your white reach.You pull to yourself black-brown loam,all rampant life. Sothe worldforms inside you: a green core,
joyous April of the heart. Fragile Pinwheel, you are fastened at center and spiraling:holy the vortex, the coming together. Holy also the sun-sparked airholy the wild merry-go-round rideof outward growth,holy every bold or tentative step