Busy, Busy, Busy

There have been a lot of things going on this week, starting with A Day in Davidson. The morning started with Kristina Komendant introducing calligraphy tools and techniques.

It’s a while since I did any calligraphy, so it took some time for the hand memory to return. Along with pencils and Speedball pens, Kristina gave us some hand made wooden tools to play with. (We also got to take them home, which was most generous.)

After a little practice we each did a version of an illuminated letter. Here we are all working away. (My illuminated letter is indicated by the pink pointy finger.)

After a lunch break Leanne Clifford taught us how to make three book structures, each folded from a single sheet of paper after some careful cutting.

Tri-shutter book:

Dos-à-dos:

Hedi Kyle fishbone spine:

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I delivered work to the Dimensions 2017 jurying on Tuesday. I still don’t have a picture of the completed Map Quilt, but here are a couple of images of the Tussah Shawl.

Spread out after washing. (That was scary. The washing part, I mean.)

Laid out ready for packing:

Wednesday evening I attended the Saskatchewan Craft Council’s Jurors’ Presentation by Belinda Harrow and Jenna Stanton. It was chance to see what their work looks like, and hear about their personal histories.

Wednesday I got an email saying that Babel 2016 had been selected for Reader’s Art: Control/Alt/Shift.

From the Call for Entry:

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) seeks art for inclusion in Reader’s Art: Control/Alt/Shift — a juried exhibition of artists’ books that explore one or more of three related themes: the politics of control; alternative methods of public discourse; and the ever-shifting nature of social norms and values. This exhibition continues the tradition of the “Reader’s Art” exhibitions organized for many years by the Susan Hensel Gallery in Minneapolis, MN. At the Susan Hensel Gallery “Reader’s Art” explored the broad theme of narrative in the arts. As the new home of these popular shows, MCBA is dedicated to continuing Hensel’s tradition of supporting new voices, emerging artists and students.

I think the work fits nicely with the theme, and apparently so did the MCBA.

Friday I got the call saying I had one piece in Dimensions 2017. I had looked at the jurors’ bios before deciding what to enter and had covered the bases —Map Quilt pushes boundaries and is made with an unusual combination of material and technique, Tussah Shawl (although an original and non-traditional design) emphasizes the traditional techniques of hand spinning and hand knitting.

The shawl was selected.

Saturday morning was the critique session.

Dimensions 2017 jurors Belinda Harrow (L) and Jenna Stanton

You can just see my shawl in the picture above, indicated by the green pointy finger.

The critique session, a quick survey of what had been selected, and conversations with a few of the best craftspeople in the province whose work had not been selected confirmed what I had suspected when I learned my shawl had been chosen. The jury’s selections emphasized technique and shied away from work that crossed the boundary between Traditional Craft and Art.

Entering work in a juried show is a bit like buying a lottery ticket.

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We may finally be moving back into Spring weather this week. It snowed after I got back from Davidson last Sunday,

but the forecast for the coming week looks promising.

Here’s hoping!

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In book arts news:

If you would like to try making your own versions of the books we made in Davidson, here are some links.

Tri-shutter: Beccy’s Place

Dos-à-dos: Green Chair Press here and here.

Fishbone: Green Chair Press

The books are listed from easiest to most difficult. I haven’t yet thought of appropriate content for the Fishbone, but I would love to use it as it is such an elegant structure and fun to make!

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