Create

My artist/librarian upbringing definitely has something to do with my love of literary-inspired creations and art that involves books in its many forms. Of course, throw some travel ephemera in there too, and now you’ve really got my interest.

For most of my 30-odd years, I’ve focused on the literary side of things — reading and writing are activities as routine as brushing my teeth. I’m a voracious reader, and my written creations have been primarily works of words — a few published articles and a large collection of personal journals chock full of musings, observations and dreams.

As far as the visual arts, my role has been primarily that of an appreciative admirer.

But recently, I’ve begun dabbling in some creations of my own, inspired by my growing interest in book art. I made my first artistic book in February 2008, at an event with Esther K. Smith, of Purgatory Pie Press and author of How to Make Books. Soon after, I found myself hard at work on a book art project that became a gift for friends. This month, I also had the chance to stop by the The Center for Book Arts, to see their current exhibit, Mapping Correspondence, which reminded me of my dad’s recent exhibit, in which security envelopes played a large part. I love projects where words, art and travel themes converge, and this current exhibit is just that. (Take this piece by Carol Stetser, for example - Postal Dreamtime.)

There will surely be more on this topic from me in the future. Recent readings have fueled my imagination and I’m feeling super creative these days. I’m also realizing that the scrapbook projects I did during my teen and college years were simply an earlier version of this craft. When I’m done reading Lewis Hyde’s The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World (currently sitting half-read on my nightstand - and recently mentioned by Dwight Garner at the NYT ), I’ll be back to say a whole lot more about art and books.

Till then, why not draw some inspiration from the creative spirit of my pal (and former neighbor) Danamarie Hosler at greenstarstudio. (I recently became the owner of this original painting she did.) Or do, indulge in this fabulous collection of hand-crafted book-related gifts. (If there was only more time to troll the treasures on Etsy!)

~ May 2008