Monday 3 December 2012

A SHOW OF HANDS





SEEING THE TREES IN THE FOREST

Seeing the Trees in the Forest is a combination of tunnel, pop-up and accordion books.  The arboretum is one of my favourite places to visit in Ottawa.   I love photographing the trees there and some of the buildings. When applying the photographs to this book I had to take into account the accordion and pop-up folds.  I cut the photographs in half and when looking through the side tunnels an optical illusion is created with the two halves of the pictures.  It’s very interesting.   I cut the building pictures in half and used them as doorways to surround the front and rear tunnel openings.  Other tree photographs include tree roots in the shape of an eye, a turtle and the head of a wild beast.  Six hands, made from balsa wood and Lokta paper support each section of the book.  The texture of the Lokta paper creates a bark-like look and feel to each of the hands.


Can you see the wild beast in this root photograph?

Do you see the turtle in this tree root photograph?

I'm watching you!



MEDIA RELEASE


A SHOW OF HANDS – A Book Arts Exhibit by Mary Kritz

If you are a book lover, curious about how books are made or enjoy different art forms, then this is an exhibit you won’t want to miss.  Mary Kritz is a bookbinder, book artist, photographer and artist who incorporates these elements into her book designs and creations.  She teaches Creative Bookbinding and Book Arts at the Ottawa School of Art’s George Street and Orléans campuses.  This past summer, while working on a book, she realized she was watching her hands at work.  Thinking about the importance of hands and the activities carried out by them, she asked herself how she could turn the idea into a book.  Combining a sense of humour and play on words, she designed a set of eight books, called, “A Show of Hands.  This is an exhibit that will appeal to people of all ages.

Kritz is known for using different materials in her books and for this set of eight books she has used clay, cloth, wood, paper, terra skin and acrylic. The books are shaped in hands, surrounded by hands and supported by hands, and incorporate photographs of hands performing different activities, as well as sites and images relevant to the narrative in each book.  She embroidered the cloth, inscribed Sumerian hieroglyphs into the clay and turned wood, paper and acrylic into accordion books, flag books, tunnel books with pull-outs, and incorporated a combination of tunnel, pop-up and accordion book techniques into one book. 

Kritz provides an opportunity for viewers to interact with one of the books called, Tell Me a Story, which consists of six shaped acrylic hands sitting in an acrylic staircase.  Viewers are invited to use their hands to play with the notion of a non-traditional book form by changing the order and content of the book.  Words may be hung on the fingers and thumbs of the hands or placed on or around the staircase.  When viewers hang the double-sided words on fingers and thumbs two different stories emerge. 

This exhibit challenges our understanding of what a book is and how it functions.  Each book’s narrative invites the viewer in to wonder about and interpret the story being presented through visual images rather than words.  The acrylic book, Tell Me a Story, provides a unique and unusual opportunity by inviting the viewers to interact with and create their own story, thus changing the previous artist’s story and becoming the artist and narrator in that moment of time. 

A Show of Hands will be exhibited at the LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space on the lower level of the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orléans at 245 Centrum Boulevard from January 8th to the 27th 2013.  The vernissage is Monday, January 14th, 2013 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. 

More of Mary’s work may be viewed at: www.bookartiste.blogspot.com, and http://youtu.be/k8w13Owr.


SUMERIAN MERCHANT'S ACCOUNT BOOK

The Sumerian Merchant’s Account Book, consist of six clay hands placed in a circle.  When thinking about creating the clay book, I researched historical books and found Sumerian clay tablets and hieroglyphs which I have inscribed in some of the hands.  When reading about what the tablets were used to for, I decided on the account book.  The two hands with broken fingers indicate unpaid accounts.

THE MAKING OF TELL ME A STORY


This is the router-like tool that was used to cut out the acrylic hands and staircase pieces.

Cutting out of the hands.

The final product.  Once all the hands were cut out, the paper was removed and heat applied to the edges of the hands to give a polished finish. 

Shaping of the staircase.  This is a heating strip that applies heat to a specific area of the acrylic so it may be shaped.

Shaping of the staircase.  Once the acrylic has been heated so that it is maleable, it is then bent into shape following a template.


Tell Me a Story is an interactive book and consists of six shaped acrylic hands sitting in an acrylic staircase.  Using a hot air gun I shaped the hands into different shapes: victory, call me, I love you, pointing, OK, and waving.   I wrote words on both sides of pieces of terra skin and joined coloured threads to each.  During the exhibit, viewers are invited to use their hands to play with the notion of a non-traditional book form by changing the order and content of the book.  Words may be hung on the fingers and thumbs of the hands or placed on or around the staircase.  When viewers hang the double-sided words on fingers and thumbs two different stories will emerge. 


2013 COURSES

It's that time of year again.  A very successful course will finish this Wednesday and the 2013 courses and workshops are available for registration. 

OTTAWA SCHOOL OF ART – 2013

BOOKBINDING AND BOOK ARTS COURSES

Do you have an appreciation for books?  Are you curious about how books are made?  Are you looking for a new set of skills to learn?  Join us to learn how to make 5 traditional books using centuries old techniques. Set your creativity free to create accordion, tunnel, slide, folding, and flag books (9 in total) that tell a story using images, photos or drawings.  Using paste, create decorative paste papers for your book covers and venture into the world of suminagashi – a Japanese paper marbling technique. 
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS – 35 George Street

BOOKBINDING – W13D040 – 12 weeks

When:  January 15 – March 23 2013 – 6:30 – 9:30 pm

ORLÉANS CAMPUS – 245 Centrum Boulevard

CREATIVE BOOKBINDING AND BOOK ARTS – W13S0400A – 10 Weeks

When:  January 23 – April 3, 2013 – 6:30 – 9:30 pm


2013 WORKSHOPS

February 2, 2013 -  W13SWS400A - Japanese Stab Binding- 10:00 am – 4:30
Orléans Campus – Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Boulveard

February 9, 2013 – W13DWS02 - Soft Cover Coptic Bound Book with Sleeve
9:00 – 4:00 pm – Downtown Campus – 35 George Street

March 14, 2013 – W13SWS400B – Soft Cover Coptic Bound Book with Sleeve – 10:00 – 4:30 pm – Orléans Campus, 245 Centrum Boulvard

March 23, 2013 – W13DWS03 – Japanese Stab Binding – 9:00 – 4:00 pm
Downtown Campus – 35 George Street

REGISTRATION FOR COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

Downtown Registration:  info@artottawa.ca – General Interest or by phone:
613-241-7471
Orléans Registration: osao.info@artottawa.ca – General Interest or by phone: 613-580-2765

As Christmas is quickly approaching you may want to give that someone special the gift of learning.  A great way to start a new year. 

If you have any questions about the books, the exhibit, the courses and workshops, please contact me at bbinder999@gmail.com.

Wishing you happy holidays.  

Mary 







Friday 23 November 2012

A SHOW OF HANDS





I am a book binder, book artist, photographer and artist and I bring these elements into play when I am designing and creating books.  This past summer, while making a book, I realized I was watching my hands at work.  I have always liked looking at people’s hands, their size, shape, length of fingers and their wear and tear.  I started thinking about the importance of hands, our tools for carrying out activities such as: self-care and care for others, creating and taking apart, indicating a presence or giving direction.  As a book artist, I am always asking myself, “How can I turn this idea or object into a book?“  This was the beginning of  “A Show of Hands” coming into being.   

As “A Show of Hands” moved from idea to possibility, I started to think about what materials I wanted to use to create the books.  I decided upon wood, clay, paper, cloth and acrylic.  I used terra skin, for support, to line the hands and photographs, and acrylic paint to colour the clay. A Show of Hands consists of eight different books which are the shape of hands, are surrounded by hands and supported by hands.   Photographs of hands performing different activities and abstract drawings are incorporated into each book. 

A STITCH IN TIME




A Stitch in Time is a hanging book.  I used some beautiful cotton with interesting designs and embroidered parts of the designs.  I then lined each cloth hand with terra skin and covered the terra skin with molded paper.  I attached words, that are used in the craft of sewing and stitching, between thumbs and fore fingers with waxed, braided cotton thread.  While at Manotick’s Heritage Days this past spring, I took pictures of ladies making handmade lace.  Two of these pictures are attached to the hands. 

EAT, CREATE AND PLAY 1:

I used a bright blue Fabriano card stock for this accordion slide book.  I designed pockets for the photographs and lined each photograph with terra skin and attached a waxed, braided cotton pull to each. I placed photographs on both sides of this book.  Mini acrylic paintings decorate the blank pages of this book.    

Abstract drawing on the cover of Eat, Create and Play 1 

I took this photo of a music man spinning out tunes at the China Town Remix event this past summer. 


EAT, CREATE AND PLAY 2:
Fabriano card stock surrounds mini photographs in this tunnel accordion book.  I cut the center out of each panel and attached photographs to both sides of the free floating panel.  Abstract drawings enhance the hand covers and when the panels are folded left and right a tunnel is created in which the pictures may be viewed.

This photo was taken during the China Town Remix event this past summer.  A young artist was adding her creative touch to a large painting. 

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS AT WORK

       Front view - looking into the tunnel


Side View

Boys and Their Toys at Work is a tunnel book with hands supporting each section.  I find construction sites very interesting to photograph.  Varying sizes of equipment and materials relative to the people who operate and use them create interesting proportions.  The photographs in this book come from four different construction sites; a building teardown on Elgin Street and the de-construction of the convention centre, the repair of a section of canal where an old corduroy road was exposed and a sidewalk installation in the west-end of the city.  Photographs of the construction sites, construction equipment and construction workers have been placed strategically throughout the tunnels to give the viewer an interesting perspective from the front and sides of the book.  I used book board for each section of the tunnel and covered it with Lokta paper.  The sides are stitched in place allowing for movement of the side panels.  I used a photograph of doors to create the open doors in the site office hand.  


I had great fun photographing these workers.  It was a beautiful day and the mood was light as these fellows installed new sidewalks in the west-end of the city.  

These are four of the books and some of the photographs in the books that that make up my book arts exhibit called: "A Show of Hands". 

A SHOW OF HANDS EXHIBIT

When:               January 8th - 27th, 2013

Vernissage:    Jauary 14th, 2013     7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Where:             LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space, Lower Level  
                          Shenkman Arts Centre
                          245 Centrum Boulevard, Orléans, ON

I hope to see you at the vernissage in January.  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

If you have any questions about this exhibit or the books I create, please contact me at: bbinder999@gmail.com.  I'd be happy to discuss them with you.

Mary







Thursday 4 October 2012

A SHOW OF HANDS BOOK ARTS EXHIBIT


Hello Everyone:

The exhibit is official and here is the information.  Please join me to celebrate my book arts exhibit in January 2013.  It will be a nice way to start out the new year.  

Here are the particulars: 

January 7 - 27, 2013/Vernissage January 14, 2013 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm

LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space, Lower Level
Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Boulevard,
Ottawa, Ontario


NEWS RELEASE
Fund Fuels Passion for the Arts at the Shenkman Arts Centre

2012-13 ARTicipate Grant Recipients Announced

Ottawa, Ontario



AOE Arts Council has announced its 201213 ARTicipate Endowment Fund Grant
recipients. $66,405 has been awarded to 13 artists and arts organizations, and to the resident arts
partners, to support artistic activities, programming and services at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

“The recipients are all talented artists and arts organizations who are passionate about their projects,” says Heather Jamieson, president of AOE Arts Council. “The funding is a direct way to foster artistic innovation and spark creativity by encouraging groups and artists to make the most of the Centre’s professional spaces.”

Now in its third year, the ARTicipate Endowment Fund Grant Program has distributed $183,537 to date in grants to stimulate local arts activities, programming and services at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

New this year is the opportunity for visual artists to apply for an ARTicipate grant to exhibit in the
LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space. Shenkman Arts Centre visitors will be able to interact with

A Show of Hands, an exhibit of creative books crafted by visual artist Mary Kritz, to be presented in early 2013.

“Visitors to the LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space will be invited to interact with the artwork; something not ordinarily encouraged in a gallery setting,” says Kritz. “I am very thankful for receiving the ARTicipate grant and for the opportunity to show my book art at the Shenkman Arts Centre.”

“The ARTicipate Grant recipients are energizing the Centre with projects from a variety of artistic
disciplines that are actively engaging the public and connecting with local audiences,” Jamieson adds.

That is about all for now.  Hope to see you at the exhibit. 

If you have any questions about the books or exhibit, you may contact me at: bbinder999@gmail.com.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

Mary
 

Monday 10 September 2012

NUIT BLANCHE - OTTAWA

Hello Everyone:

It is now October and Nuit Blanche has come and gone.  It was Ottawa's first and a great success.  I was located in the Ottawa School of Art in the Byward Market and there were over 6,000 people who visited the site.  The Endearment Tree was an amazing success.  I had nine books attached to the tree and all were 99% filled with endearments.  People loved the concept, took many pictures of the tree and wrote some beautiful endearments to special people in their lives.  As the heart shaped books on the tree filled up with endearments, they started to open up and remained open.  It was a beautiful sight.  I am very happy to have been part of the first Nuit Blanche in Ottawa.  


I found this beautiful old tree in Ruthen, Germany.  If you look closely you can see the tree spirits

THE ENDEARMENT TREE AT OTTAWA'S FIRST NUIT BLANCHE

WHEN:  SEPTEMBER 22, 2013

TIME: 7:00 pm to 5:00 am

WHERE:  OTTAWA SCHOOL OF ART, 35 GEORGE STREET

I have had the good fortune to be part of Ottawa's first Nuit Blanche.  I will be at the Ottawa School of Art with my Endearment Tree. 

The Endearment Tree is part of a tree with nine books attached to it.  Visitors are Invited to write an endearment in the books for someone special in their lives.  

Come out and celebrate Ottawa's first Nuit Blanche and visit the Endearment Tree.  It is fun for the whole family. 

Looking forward to seeing you there. 

Mary

www.http://youtu.be/k8w13ewrOqg  


Friday 24 August 2012

MINIATURES


Star Light, Star Bright
 We are approaching the end of summer and fall is just around the corner.  The nice thing is the warm weather has continued.  The rain has turned everything back to green from burnt brown. 

I have had a number of text blocks made up and ready to be made into books.  They kept getting pushed aside while I worked on my Show of Hands exhibit.  I have finished all but one of the exhibit books, which will take a longer time to complete.  I will be photographing them this weekend for the promotional materials. 

I have now put my hand to turning the text blocks into completed books.  All the books are miniatures - 3 to 3.5 inches.  Some are coptic bound and some long stitch which I have woven with other coloured threads.  This creates a nice finished spine with exposed stitching.  I have used a mixture of papers and leather to create these little treasures.  

Star Light and Star Bright are two little Coptic bound, hard covered books with silk ribbon ties.  One has 50 pages and the other has 60 pages of Fabriano sketch paper.  They measure 2.25 in X 2.5 in.

I joined two pieces of leather for this book, leaving the natrual edges on both.  I like to let the materials dictate the design sometimes.  The tie on this book is waxed cotton thread and finished with glass beads.  There are 60 pages of Fabriano sketch paper.  It has one mini painting on the first page and measures 2.5 in X 2.75 in. 


Textured Touch
This little book has a stamped leather cover and the binding is woven with waxed cotton threads, which are the same as the braided tie.  It is lined with hand made paste paper and contains 60 pages of Fabriano sketch paper with a decorative die cut on the edge of each page.  It measures 3.25 in X 2.125 in.


I have always wanted to try making a clam shell box for books.  This is usually done by conservationists who want to protect special books.  This is my version of a clam shell box.  The first caption shows the closed book inside the box and the second caption shows the open book.  The box measures 4.25 in X 4 in X 1.25 in.  The internal box is lined with suede leather and the book and box are covered with a green and silver hand made paper with a granite effect.  The book measures 2.5 in X 2.25 in and has 60 pages of Fabriano sketch paper. 



I combined mulberry coloured Lokta paper, lined with the green and silver granite patterned paper and created the tab from a piece of ox blood coloured leather and green suede leather for the loop.  The Coptic bound, hard covered book is covered with a decorative Japanese paper.  Mini acrylic paintings decorate some of the pages.  There are 50 pages of Fabriano sketch paper and the book measures 2.5 in X 2.75 in. 


This is the inside of the book.  This is one of my new designs.  I create the coptic bound, hard covered book and then attach it to the outer cover.  The effect is very stunning. 


This is another Lokta covered book with a leather closure.  It has mini acrylic paintings on some of the 60 pages and measures 2.25 in X 2.25 in.



I had a small piece of this beautiful yellow stamped leather.  Working with the original shape of the leather edge, I created a wrap around cover which is lined.  The book is tacket bound and has a yellow braided, waxed cotton thread tie.  It has 60 pages of Fabriano sketch paper and a heart die cut on the edge of each page.  It measures 2.25 in X 2.5 in.



This combination is a sleeve made from Lokta paper and leather and lined with the green and silver granite patterned paper.  The book is covered with Japanese decorative paper and the book has 60 pages of Fabriano sketch paper with mini acrylic paintings on some of the pages.  The overall measurement is 2.75 in X 2.5 in and the book measures 2.25 in  X 2.5 in. 

This book is a little larger.  I used the same design of the coptic bound, hard cover book attached to an outer cover.  The heavy leather cover is lined with a purple Lokta paper which is the same as the book cover.  The outer cover has a bone button and braided, waxed cotton thread tie.  There are 60 pages of Fabriano sketch paper, decorated with mini acrylic paintings on some of the pages.  It measures 3 in X 3.5 in. 


BUTTERFLY LANDSCAPES

This little creation came about as a result of playing with some small pieces of paper I had on my table.  Soon they became one longer piece of paper joined with butterflies and then mini acrylic paintings representing landscapes were added.  The box is decorated with mini butterflies, peacock feathers and wooden beads for feet.  The box measures 2.25" X 1.75" X 1" and the book measures 1.75" X 1" X 27".  It was great fun to make. 

 
 

CREATIVE BOOKBINDING CLASSES - Ottawa School of Art

Bookbinding classes will start again in September.  I'll be teaching at the Ottawa School of Art George Street campus on Tuesday evenings, starting September 18, 2012 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and on Wednesday evenings at the Orléans campus, located in the Shenkman Arts Centre, starting September 26, 2012 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

BOOKBINDING WORKSHOPS - Ottawa School of Art

I will also be teaching one-day workshops, on Saturdays, this fall:

George Street Campus

October 13, 2012 : Japanese Stab Stitch Book: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

November 10, 2012: Soft Cover Coptic Bound Book with Sleeve: 9:00 - 4:00 pm

Orléans Campus - Shenkman Arts Centre

September 29, 2012: Japanese Stab Stitch Book, 10 am to 4:00 pm

October 27, 2012: Soft Cover Coptic Bound Book with Sleeve: 10: 00 am to 4:00 pm

Registration is through the Ottawa School of Art at: www.artottawa.ca - General Interest Courses. 

That's about all for now.  Looking forward to a full fall and winter with teaching, preparing for exhibits, craft shows and book fairs. 



If you would like more information about the books, I would be happy to hear from you.  

Wishing you all a great fall. 

Mary


bbinder999@gmail.com

http://youtu.be/k8w13ewrOqg









Monday 23 July 2012

GOOD NEWS DAY


This has been a great month for good news about exhibiting my work.  

EXHIBITS   

I will have my books in two instructor's exhibits at the Ottawa School of Art, in August:

OTTAWA SCHOOL OF ART ORLEANS

When:  August 2 to September 2, 2012

Where: Ottawa School of Art at the Shenkman, 245 Centrum Blvd., Ottawa

Vernissage: August 2, 2012

Time:  6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

OTTAWA SCHOOL OF ART BYTOWN

When:  August 16 to September 23, 2012

Where:  Ottawa School of Art, 35 George Street, Ottawa

Vernissage: August 16, 2012

Time:  5:00 pm to 8:00 pm



GRANT AWARDED

I was awarded an ARTicipate Project Grant to exhibit my "Show of Hands" books.  The exhibit will take place in early 2013 at the Shenkman Arts Centre.  The grant is made possible through the ARTicipate Endowment Fund which is funded through gifts from private donors, local businesses, foundations and the Province of Ontario. 

The creation of the books for this exhibit is progressing beautifully.  I will post the date of the exhibit once it has been set. 

INVITATION TO EXHIBIT

CONTEMPORARY BOOK ARTS IN EASTERN ONTARIO

I have been invited to participate in a Book Arts group exhibit which will be shown at the W.D. Jordan Special Collections and Music and Art Library at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.  Book artists from Kingston, Peterborough and Ottawa will be included in the exhibit. 

Date of the exhibit:  March 1 to May 31, 2013. 

I'll post more information about the exhibit as it becomes available. 



A great month for good news.  I hope you can make it to one of the exhibits.  Have a great August. 

Mary 









Wednesday 20 June 2012

SUMMER and BOOKS and EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN


SUMMER and BOOKS and EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Summer is upon us, we have heat, humidity, rain, fog and sunshine.  Weather wise, it has been an interesting move into summer.  Today the horizon is touching the overcast sky and the air is hanging heavy over the city.  It has rained overnight and the green looks clean, newly washed. 

NEW BOOKS

I have ventured into the land of creativity and have been working mostly in leather this last little while and I thoroughly enjoy it.  One of the latest creations is a book within a book.  It is covered with grey, stamped leather and the binding includes a green leather toggle and agate.  The text block in the inner book is made from black sketch paper and has words related to bookbinding and pictures of books I have created.  The outer book has polymer decorations on the pages and a written poem:   

I AM A BOOK

I am a book!
I exist to share my contents,
Words to entertain and educate
Images to stir
the imagination.
Textured papers to engage
the reader 
Drawing one into
my depths.
The fragrance of ink on
glossy paper.
Transporting one into the
print shop.
I am a book!

I am a book!
I love to be held.
Feel the warmth of hands on
my cover.
Gentle breath wafting over
my pages.
Eyes forever scanning
my passages.

I am a book!
I have lived for centuries.
I have been made from
many materials.
I exist!
I will continue to exist!
I am a book!




 



LITTLE LEATHER TREASURES

These little treasures were so much fun to make.  I enjoy working with the natural cut of the leather , leaving the edges in their natural shape.  At other times I like to keep the edges uniform. 

I call this one, Little Friar 



These are some of the little leather treasures that I have created over the last couple of weeks.  The ties are braided, waxed cotton threads.  On the little brown book at the upper right hand corner, a goldstone bead is part of the closure and on the little book at the bottom left hand corner, an agate is part of the closure.


JOURNALS FOR EXPLORERS

I have wanted to make this book for a long time.  It was such a pleasure to see the finished product.  The cover is stamped leather and lined with a burgundy coloured Lokta paper from Nepal.  There are 46 pages - 3 embossed with a tree design - of Fabriano sketch paper.  The closure is a green leather toggle, and black leather cord finished off with a horse hair adornment.  The journal is tacket bound with a deep rose coloured cotton thread.




HUNTER GREEN LEATHER

I found this hunter green leather among my fabrics.  The covers were made with the suede side out, making the feel of the journal very pleasant and inviting. 

I alternated a brown leather with the green leather in the making of the closure and the tabs. 




This is another journal made from the same Hunter green leather. 

NEW PROJECTS

I have been busy working on two projects: 

Nuit Blanche, September 22, 2012 will be an exciting night of interactive art in the Byward Market.  I am creating The Endearment Tree which will be located in the Ottawa School of Art in the Bytown Market.  

Book Exhibit:  I am working on a book exhibit for 2013, called A Show of Hands.  The books will be in the shape of hands and made from paper, wood, acrylic, embroidered fabric and clay.  Creating this exhibit is giving me so much joy.  More to come as the exhibit takes shape. 

FINISHED PROJECTS

I wrote a book for my granddaughters, called My Birthday Suit.  This week I finished it. Once it is printed, I'll bind it and send it off to them.  Great fun.

 
Watson’s Mill Pioneer Days in Manotick took place on June 6th.  I was invited to demonstrate bookbinding.  It was a cold, rainy day, however, it didn’t deter the exhibitors and the attendees.  It was a busy day and 20 children and 1 adult turned their hand at making a single signature book.  I enjoyed helping them with their creations.  All in all it was a very satisfying day. 


This was my display of the different books I make.  Due to the wet weather, they were left in their plastic wrappers
Gary was one of the exhibitors.  He was deomonstrating different types of farm machines, such as a corn grinder and milk separator. 


These ladies were demonstrating the art of hand made lace.  Very beautiful.
Kevin Burke, a folk artist was demonstrating his wood carving.


Rick St. John, another wood carver, was demonstrating his wood carving techniques.  Here  he is working on a sculpture of Chief Dan George. 


UPCOMING EVENTS

Ottawa Small Press Book Fair

When not working on these two projects, I have been busy making books for this upcoming fair on Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Lane, room 203.  Come out and have a look.
The fair was founded in 1994 by Rob McLennan & James Spyker. Now it is run by Rob McLennan and occurs twice a year.  It contains exhibitors with poetry books, novels, cookbooks, posters, t-shirts, graphic novels, comic books, magazines, gum-ball machines with poems, 2x4s with text, Bywords, Dusty Owl, Chaudiere Books, above/ground press. 
 
Adult Summer Academy - Creative Bookbinding Classes

I will be teaching week long creative bookbinding classes this summer at the Ottawa School of Art, Bytown Campus, 35 George Street, Ottawa, ON.  

Fall and Winter Creative Bookbinding Classes will be offered at the Ottawa School of Art, Bytown Campus and Orléans Campus in the Shenkman Centre.  I will also be offering a number of one-day workshops throughout the fall and winter at both these venues. 

Immerse yourself in the creative art of bookbinding.  Learn traditional and non-traditional techniques to create artistic books with hand made paste paper, decorative paper, leather and book board.  Create new books every day using stitching techniques from all corners of the world dated as far back as the second century.  You will create accordion and puzzle books, a Japanese Stab Stitch book, hard cover Coptic bound book, and protective sleeves for these books.  Paste paper will be used to create covers and fly leafs for the books.  Leather will be used to bind a number of small books. 

July 16 – 20, 2012 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm    Code: S12DAAC2

August 13 – 17, 2012 – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
 
To register:  call: 613-241-7471 or online @ info@artottawa.ca, http://www.artottawa.ca/ – General Interest Courses.

ARTstravaganza is coming to West Carleton, to be held in the village of Carp!

The West Carleton Arts Society is pleased to announce its first summer art show and festival!

On Saturday August 18, 2012, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, you will find artists and fine crafts people set up in the big field of the Carp Agricultural Society at 3790 Carp Road, Carp, Ontario. As you make your way from booth to booth you and your family will enjoy the eclectic sounds and sensations from the buskers, musicians and clowns who will be invited to participate.

If you’re an artist or fine craftsperson who would like to participate in this exciting summer art show and festival as a vendor, entertainer or plein air painter please contact Kate Ryckman at katemryckman@gmail.com

If you’re a serious art collector or you just want something fun to do with the family come on out to our ARTstravaganza, a Show and Festival! Admission to the show is FREE. And while you’re here, why not stop by the farmers’ market right next door for locally grown, fresh produce.


SUMMER FUN

This past weekend I enjoyed the Italian Days Festival in Little Italy.  Saturday was Ferrari day.  With camera in hand I ventured down to take some pictures.  They will be great for making photo collages for the books. 


Such beautiful design lines. 




A Maserati was among these beautiful machines.

Fiat was well represented at the event. 




After 40 laps, Fast Red and I stopped to cool down and participate in a photo shoot.  The real story, I was allowed to sit by this beautiful racing machine, but not allowed to TOUCH it.  :>))


Looking forward to a great summer.

Mary