Here’s another one from the Biblio Files, a periodic profile of a community member, highlighting what makes ABAC an awesome place to work and to learn!

1. What is your role at Austin Book Arts Center?

  Instructor of Bookbinding.

 2. What is a special memory of teaching at Austin Book Arts Center?

In general, how connected and focused my students become in the making process. This connection between the human, their hands, and making an object.

3. What distinguishes book arts from other art forms? 

As someone who views myself as a craftswoman, I consider book arts through the lens of traditional bookbinding. Therefore akin to other crafts, such as woodworking, structure often comes first. These technical concerns govern the choice of materials, making the final product all the more rewarding as the result of the craftsperson’s limited and trained decisions working within a fixed range of possibilities.

4. What is your background? 

My background began in the craft of papermaking, working at the Oakdale Papermaking Facility and with Tim Barrett at the University of Iowa Center for the Book (UICB).

5. What drew you to study book arts?

I remember when my former professor showed us students his gampi paper and deerskin book as a demo for the first time. I was amazed by the contrast between the rough texture of these homespun materials and the precise mechanics of the book which allowed these delicately thin sheets of paper to be easily turned from page to page. Additionally, Pamela Spitzmueller was working for the UICB and her research with the Long Link Stitch got me to take a course in non-adhesive bookbinding. Afterward I moved to Austin and met Olivia Primanis and Mary Baughman at the HRC Harry Ransom Center when volunteering. They encouraged me to take classes at the Academy of Bookbinding where I met Don Etherington my instructor. I took classes over the years before finally learning of the North Bennett Street School that Mark Esser began in 1984, a bookbinding program. He was a student of Bill Anthony from the UICB (never met him as he passed away), but was greatly influenced by his craftsmanship which Mark learned and most likely influenced the studies there. I studied under Jeff Altepeter for two years and returned home to Austin. 

6. What are you working on now? 

More than working on my original designs I have recently been focusing on book restoration. At NBSS we spent little time on this aspect of bookbinding, but I enjoy the challenge of being presented with various binding structures and using my skills as a binder and papermaker to restore them. My focus is to restore them in a way they just seem to be books that have been well cared for over the years. Their patina remains intact, but the “dust” of the book seems removed. I like to be invisible and let it be about the book.

Here’s another one from the Biblio Files, a periodic profile of a community member, highlighting what makes ABAC an awesome place to work and to learn!

1. How long have you been volunteering at ABAC, and what brought you here?

I discovered ABAC in 2017 after a quick google search for letterpress printing classes in my area. I had just purchased a Golding Pearl and had done quite a bit of research in an attempt to teach myself the trade, but wanted to take a formal class to learn more. It was so refreshing to meet people in the letterpress community and to talk about printing! I learned how to print on a Vandercook – and I completely fell in love!

2. What appeals to you about letterpress?

Probably the precision of it all. The way letterpress printing looks up close, the texture, shadows, it’s just so much more captivating than flat printing. I still can’t help but to run my finger over the text every time I print something new. And the precision required when setting the press up to print is one of my favorite things. In a love/hate way. It can be very challenging which makes the gratification that much sweeter.

3. What is your background?

I have no real background in print or design. I actually never considered myself a very creative person growing up, but I have learned that creativity can be cultivated. The main thing I try to do is keep developing. I’ve taken classes at ABAC, read a million articles and forums online, studied the design work of other artists, and allowed myself some grace when I’ve created some really ugly work in the past. 

4. What inspires you as an artist?

I am inspired by nature, other print work, and most of all, architecture. It might sound strange but sometimes I see a really beautiful building and think, “What would that look like as an invitation?” Some of my favorite color palettes have come from buildings or interior design I’ve seen while traveling. My business card should read “Travels with Pantone.”

5. What are you working on now? 

Right now I’ve got a few small weddings in the works and a line of greeting cards I hope to release in early 2020. I also plan on taking the Bookbinding and Improve Your Penmanship classes at ABAC to keep cultivating creativity!