Cincinnati Book Arts Society

Illuminated and Royal

2012-02-28T14:44:00.000-05:00

As the admin person of the CBAS blog, I thought I would post a small report from London (I am away with my spouse leading a Study Abroad program) where a wonderful exhibit of Royal Illuminated Manuscripts is on display at the British Library. I always go to exhibits with my camera in hand however, in this case, there was no photography allowed and several guards keeping watch. Hmmm…take pictures, get thrown out and not see the exhibit….or… Unfortunately, I am unable to provide few images to go along with my explanation of the exhibit. The ones that are here are from a few postcards I bought! And one of the entry sign. I have posted below a link to the exhibit web site too.

The exhibit was spectacular and exhausting, my eyes burning after a while looking at such small and intriguing details. It had over 150 manuscripts as part of it as well as a few paintings and is drawn primarily from the Old Royal Library that was given to the “Nation” by George II. The works on exhibit spanned from religious texts, prayer books, historical genealogical works that confirmed respective Monarchs their status and authority to rule to French literary texts, books on how to be a king as well as bestiaries, early encyclopedias, atlases, books on health and a small book written in the hand of Queen Elizabeth I that she made for her dad, Henry VIII. All from the 8^th to 16^th centuries.

Margaret of York and the Resurrected Christ

The marginalia was really great, fascinating, along with the usual floral and plant like scrolls and line designs were margins decorated with an abundance of fruit and flowers, including the thistle, butterflies, birds of all kinds, snails and bees. Dragons waving flags and little people moved along the edges. I can’t say that I had an absolute favorite but I am partial to maps and spent quite a bit time looking over the books that had various versions of the world from a 14^th or 16^th century viewpoint. One large atlas (18x24”) with a page that was open to a view of Brazil showed the coast line and had intricate, colorful drawings of people at work in the fields and clear views of the crops and the houses. I wanted to see more of course!

Lions breathing life into their new born cubs

It appeared that Bruges was a center for book illustration, binding and illumination as well as St. Albans in England. A fun little detail is that the collection, while contributed to by many kings over the centuries, had the largest number of texts added during Henry VIII’s rule, as he collected many religious and philosophical texts hoping to find evidence and reason to support his desire for divorce!

From the Psalter of Henry VIII

The British Library has an engaging and wonderful permanent display too, AND an exhibit on Dickens, who is celebrating his 200^th this year… I decided all that had to be for another day, as I my mind was swimming with plenty of little squiggles and beautiful illustrations for one day.

Click on the link and it will take you to the exhibit web site. You can view a few of the images and texts from the exhibit. Click on the “Turning the Pages” link (left hand side bar) and choose your application (I choose SilverLight, which my laptop has for Windows 7) and you can view a few texts almost in their entirety.

http://www.bl.uk/whatson/exhibitions/royalman/about/index.html

Study Group having a great winter so far....

2012-02-18T12:51:00.001-05:00

Well, full disclosure, I (Diane - blog person for CBAS) have been away from the Ohio River Valley for the past few months and instead have taken up temporary residence in the vicinity of the River Thames. While I have been away the CBAS Study Group has been doing some wonderful things, teaching and learning together and Janice - the thorough and enthusiastic leader of the Study Group - sent this blog entry for January and February Study Groups.
Looks like great fun!

Cecie teaching Japanese Stab Binding

The CBAS Study Group has started 2012 off with two wonderful programs, and everyone is energized for a varied and busy schedule this year. It has been good to get together again to share our enthusiasm for the book arts.

On January 14 at the Northside Branch Library, CBAS Vice Chair Cecie Chewning led a workshop on Stab Binding. After introducing the history, basics and many practical uses of this often deceptively simple binding, Cecie did an amazing job teaching the group of 12 how to do 4 basic stab bound stitches.

Each participant received 2 pre-drilled and carefully labelled sturdy templates we then used to practice our stab binding stitches. The templates were a great idea and will be easy-to-follow visual reminders of each of the stitch patterns. After learning these basic stitches, about half the group began work on a blank book as their first project. The other half, members who had contributed art to a 2010 collaborative effort, stitched a book of Spring Grove Cemetery images and words inspired by a tour Cecie gave us highlighting the art-rich history of that beautiful landmark.

Template for Stab Binding

The afternoon’s last project was stitching a narrow ledger. It was fun to think about its multiple uses: everything from list keeping to sketching to writing haiku. Everyone left with some great ideas for new projects.

Many thanks to Cecie for all of her preparation and excellent instruction. Our January meeting was a perfect start-off to the new year.

Study Group met again on February 11, this time at the Corryville Branch Library, to learn how to make a beautiful box for holding postcards, loose pages, a bound book or other treasures.

Mark Palkovic - miniature book binder & instructor for the day

Mark Palkovic, longtime CBAS Board member and Chair of the Miniature Book Society, was the perfect instructor, able to made a project that looked daunting and labor intensive into an achievable creation for the afternoon.

Each participant chose a packet of pre-cut boards and lining papers and then selected ribbon and complementary cover material: wallpaper, treated paper or treated leather. Mark also distributed copies of his excellent instructions with illustrations by Cody Calhoun, CBAS workshop planner extraordinaire who is now living in Texas. We miss you, Cody. Thanks for helping in absentia!

Precise measurements and lots of PVA were the order of the day. Forming the box was made infinitely easier because Mark had pre-cut all of the materials.

Here is a completed box, all of its pieces glued into place. The fact that the box opens flat makes it a great choice for protecting books that might not fit easily into a slipcase, or for storing all kinds of loose pages.

A few finished boxes

Because of Mark’s great instruction, even those of us who are serious slowpokes were able to make a beautiful box that day. Who knows what Valentine’s Day treasures might be stored inside? Thanks, Mark, for a truly inspiring workshop!

Not summer quite yet....

2011-12-10T09:17:00.000-05:00

In the meantime consider taking this class by Gabrielle Fox, CBAS member and binder, conservator and artist extraordinaire!

Example of a Gabrielle Fox binding

Gabrielle Fox Butler Workshop

Introduction to Surface Decoration

Date: February 25-26, 2012

Time: Saturday 1-5pm, Sunday 9am-1pm

Location: King Library Press Pressroom, University of Kentucky; Lexington, KY 40506-0039

Cost: Members $150, Non-members $175

Materials: $50

Limit: 10 students

Have you been wondering where to begin or have questions on how to execute a design on a binding? This is the class for you!

Blind, foil and gold tooling will be demonstrated and you will then have a chance to begin practicing with guidance and information. Please understand this is just an introduction, but if you wish to pursue it, we will discuss where to go and what to do next. Attaching objects to bindings and various methods of layering, both raised and recessed, will also be demonstrated. You will have the opportunity to begin this exploration as well with guidance and information to continue experiments leading to satisfactory results.

Class will take place on Saturday from 1-5PM and then again on Sunday morning from 9am-1pm. Materials fee is $50. Previous experience working with leather in bookbinding is preferred. Some preparation for the class will be required in order to keep the materials fee to a minimum and allow accomplishing more while we are together.

To register for the workshop and save your spot, please contact the Midwest Programs chair, Mary Uthuppuru mary@springleafpress.com

Gabrielle Fox is an accomplished artisan in the binding, conservation and restoration of fine books. After receiving her B.A.in English Literature and Writing from the University of Cincinnati she traveled to England where she received a diploma in Fine Binding and Conservation from the Guildford College of Technology in Surrey. She spent many years in England and is now based in Cincinnati, traveling often to advise private collectors and institutions on their collections. Gabrielle has a strong emphasis in her work on making and teaching miniature books. Her bindings have been exhibited widely and her work is represented in many private and public collections both here in the US and internationally. She is the author of The Essential Guide to Making Handmade Books and is now writing the history of Larkspur Press. www.gabriellefox.com

Summer already....

2011-12-10T08:57:00.000-05:00

During the depths of winter, once all the bright lights of Christmas and Hanukkah have passed...it is great to think about summer! Or at least I do, plans for gardens, plans for vacations and plans for more books! Last year I went to Penland located in the mountains of North Carolina for a two week letterpress and printmaking intensive which was fantastic. I have heard (but never attended) that the Paper and Book Intensive is another great place to learn more, meet artists and make books. This year PBI takes place in Michigan at Ox-Bow and from a quick peek at the website, there are many workshops worth taking even for experienced artists.

Below is a description that was sent via CBAS's email list, check it out!

Now celebrating its twenty-eighth year, Paper & Book Intensive is a working sabbatical for practitioners and motivated beginners in the book arts, papermaking, and conservation. Daily class sessions are combined with lectures, discussions, and shared meals, to promote unusual levels of exchange and inspiration.

The program consists of two sessions. During the first four-day session, participants will take two classes: one meeting in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The second session classes will meet all day for four days, making a total of three classes for the event. Specialized class supplies as well as appropriate equipment and working environments are provided as part of the program.

PBI 2011 will be held at Ox-Box in Saugatuck, MI, on the wild and sandy shores of Lake Michigan. The natural environment, food and culture of Ox-Bow has served as both a refuge and place of creative refueling for many artists in the past 100 years.

http://www.paperbookintensive.org/2011/classes.html

CBAS member Peg Rhein at Memorial Hall

2011-12-01T14:39:00.000-05:00

Peg Rhein (long time CBAS member and email correspondent) and other talented local artists will be selling their beautiful wares this Sunday, December 4th. I hear it is not to be missed! Click on the link below to learn more about the artists and the art.

Holiday Sale this Sunday, December 4, 12pm - 4pm at Memorial Hall , 1225 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH with folks who love quality art & crafts. Your window of opportunity is only 4 hours - come early for the best selection.

This link is to a radio broadcast that was aired Sunday night on Around Cincinnati, on WVXU where Brenda Tarbell and Kymber Henson, two fine artists from our show talk about its history and the work that will be for sale this year. It is a great overview and they did an exceptional job.

http://198.234.121.108/aroundcincinnati/112711_BrendaTarbell.mp3

My quick visit to the Type Truck

2011-11-14T12:30:00.001-05:00

Type Truck parked outside of Art Building at Miami University

This past Thursday I made my way over to Miami University and easily found a parking spot (!) and then had a brisk walk to the Type Truck. Kylie Dury of Power and Light Press was there with her side step truck showing Miami University students as well as a few non-students the enticing art of letterpress. She has been traveling the country bringing letterpress to small towns and large cities and I might add, her sleeping accomodations within the truck looked cozy!

I had a chance to speak with Erin Beckoff of Inky Winky Press who helped to bring the Type Truck to Oxford. She offers a class at Miami University in Letterpress and is helping to revive interest among students. Along side the truck and inside were several Miami University students excited and delighted to have the truck there.

Once inside the truck I was able to take a pass at inking up some type and pulling a print (most of which had been printed prior to the open truck time) which can be seen in the photos here. I wish I could have stayed longer in the truck and attended Dury's talk later the same evening. Even still, what a great project and I am happy I got a chance to visit - inspiring!

Type Truck comes to Oxford!!

2011-11-10T09:05:00.001-05:00

A last minute reminder that a truck converted into a small traveling letterpress studio is coming to Oxford TODAY!

I will be there around 2pm and will take a few pictures for the blog. Should be fun!

Curmudgeon Press welcomes Kyle Durrie (Power & Light Press) to Oxford for a day of Printing on Wheels. "Moveable type is associated with the art of letterpress printing. It is also a project involving 1982 Chevy step van and a few thousand pounds of lead, wood, iron, and love." Portland, Oregon based Kyle will spend nine or so months driving her Type Truck "all over North America, teaching workshops, doing demos, and generally spreading the good word about printing the old fashioned way." For more info and to follow her Cross Country Adventures in Printing visit: http://type-truck.com/

Moveable Type at Miami University:
Thursday, November 10, 2011
2-5 pm Visit the Type Truck in the Shriver Parking lot and make your very own print.
7 pm Kyle Durrie: Talk, Q&A | Artist Lecture Series, Art Room 100
*After the lecture, more printing in the Truck!

FREE and open to the public!
Sponsored by Curmudgeon Press, art281 and the AIGA Miami U. Student Chapter.
http://type-truck.com/miami-university/

Pop-up success!

2011-10-24T09:39:00.000-04:00

Books by the Banks on Saturday, October 22 was a big success for CBAS again this year. Even before the event officially opened, folks started arriving eager to learn how to make their own simple pop-up book. It was fun to watch the parents, most of whom seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as their children. We gave everyone a number of options for pop-up figures: Halloween related and general, and just about every possible combination was chosen. After gluing in their pop-ups, kids moved on to the embellishment stage, where vigorous rubber stamping, stickers and some pretty imaginative marker work were all taken very seriously. It was great to watch the expressions on the children's faces when they first opened their books and ta-dah, a bat or a pumpkin popped out. By the end of the day, almost 175 books were made and we hope, some future book artists inspired. One young man of about 8 who added a dialogue balloon for the hand-drawn ghost on his book cover looked up and said very solemnly, "I like to put a lot of detail into my work."

Thanks to Cecie, Diane, Jack, Janice, Jeanne, Nancy D, Nancy H, Robin,Trish and Veronica, our great crew of volunteers. And special thanks to Jo for a lot of behind-the-scenes planning, and to Volunteer Coordinator Linda for organizing the schedule. If you missed it, look for Books by the Banks around the same time next year. If you love books and reading, it's an event you shouldn't miss.

Books by the Banks

2011-10-19T08:29:00.003-04:00

This Saturday, October 22nd, CBAS will once again be at Books by the Banks helping kids, adults and families make fun and simple books. This year Janice (CBAS board member) has designed a delightful pop-up with a Halloween theme or you can make a pop-up that has a theme of your own choosing. Along with the CBAS booth, there are many activities for adults and kids, from lectures to make and take projects. Best of all there will be lots of wonderful authors on hand for the public to meet and who will sign those treasured books that people bring with them (or buy!)

Books by the Banks takes place at the Duke Convention Center,
525 Elm Street, Cincinnati - October 22nd from 10am to 4pm.

For more information and to see the whole roster of events and authors visit the link below.

Please come see us (CBAS) when you are there!

http://booksbythebanks.org/

Renowned book conservator talk at UC

2011-10-17T12:34:00.000-04:00

UC Libraries Present Talk from Renowned Book Conservator William Minter

This announcement was sent to the CBAS email and I thought it would be a fascinating lecture for all you bookies and paper people! Follow the link for a more detailed description.

Join UC Libraries at a talk by renowned book conservator William Minter who will display and discuss the conservation treatment he did to the historic Martyrs Mirror. Scheduled for Friday, October 28th from 1:30-3:00pm in 814 Blegen, the talk is free and open to the public. A Q&A will follow and refreshments will be served.

http://www.libraries.uc.edu/liblog/2011/10/11/uc-libraries-present-talk-from-renowned-book-conservator-william-minter/

Small Press Fair in Cincinnati (who needs New York!)

2011-10-01T09:20:00.000-04:00

Just found out about this from CBAS Member Kate Kern's Facebook page:

http://cincysmallpressfest.blogspot.com/p/about-cincinnati-small-press-festival.html

About CSPF

The Cincinnati Small Press Festival is a two-day event centered around a celebration of printing and the printed word, hosted by The Mockbee. The Mockbee is located in Cincinnati's historic Mohawk neighborhood, adjacent to the Brighton Arts District, at 2260 Central Parkway.

The first day will consist of an evening-long event, PlexArt / TextArt, showcasing print-, word-, and book-related art, textural performance and reading, followed by a dance party. The second day will be the Cincinnati Small Press Fair, where local, regional, and national small presses, DIY artists, indie authors & musicians, book artists, printers, other word-based artists and more will gather together to show their works, sell small press-related products, and share information and ideas related to printing and the printed word.

The 2011 Festival will take place on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 at The Mockbee. PlexArt TextArt gallery hours will start upstairs in the main tunnels at 7 p.m. on Friday; readings and performances will begin downstairs at 8 p.m.; and the dance party will run in the main bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Door will be $5 to the public, while admission is included for festival participants. The Cincinnati Small Press Fair will take place on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., and is FREE and open to the public!

If you are in New York!

2011-09-30T11:40:00.000-04:00

Be sure to check out the THE NY ART BOOK FAIR
September 30–October 2, 2011
Preview: Thursday, Sept. 29, 6–9 p.m.
It takes place at a fantastic space, MoMA PS1, a re-purposed elementary school in Queens that is now an exhibiting art space. Just seeing PS1 is great but add in a book fair and you have a great trip.

Printed Matter presents the sixth annual NY Art Book Fair, from September 30 to October 2, 2011, at MoMA PS1, Long Island City, Queens. A preview will be held on the evening of Thursday, September 29th. Free and open to the public, and featuring more than 200 exhibitors, the NY Art Book Fair is the world's premier event for artists’ books, contemporary art catalogs and monographs, art periodicals, and artist zines. Exhibitors include international presses, booksellers, antiquarian dealers, artists and independent publishers from twenty-one countries.

Philip Aarons, Chair of the Board for Printed Matter, Inc., said: “The NY Art Book Fair remains the premier venue to find what’s new in art publishing. This year’s focus on artists’ photography books, and the addition of more than 60 zinesters in an outdoor tent, will make this year's edition of the Fair the best so far.”

16,500 people attended The NY Art Book Fair 2010, the last edition of this favorite meeting place for book collectors, dealers, artists, curators, independent publishers, and other art enthusiasts.

The NY Art Book Fair 2011 will include special projects, screenings, book signings, and performances, throughout the weekend. The Classroom—a curated series of artist-led workshops, readings, and discussions—and the fifth annual Contemporary Artists’ Books Conference—a dynamic, two-day symposium on emerging practices and debates within art-book culture—will engage visitors in lively conversation all weekend long.

HOURS AND LOCATION
The NY Art Book Fair is free and open to the public.

Preview: Thursday, September 29, 6 pm–9 pm
Friday, September 30, 11 am–7 pm
Saturday, October 1, 11 am–7 pm
Sunday, October 2, 11 am–7 pm

MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Avenue at 46th Avenue
Long Island City, NY (map)

Grandparents Day at the Mercantile Library, Cincinnati

2011-09-13T09:21:00.001-04:00

A group of dedicated CBAS board members and volunteers spent the day at the Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati during their Grandparents Day. CBAS volunteers helped the happy kid and grandparent teams to make a variety of book forms, shown here.

Here is what Janice had to say: "A lively crowd of about 50 grandchildren and grandparents descended on the Mercantile Library on Saturday, September 10 for a special Grandparents Day program presented by CBAS. Eight hard-working volunteers helped everyone make 4 projects: a one-page wonder, a rubber band book, a paper wallet book, and a circle book necklace. After they finished their projects, everyone headed over to the decoration table for rubber stamping, stickers, markers and some wonderful enhancements to their projects.

Included in the day's creative outpourings were a one-page wonder called "How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich," a rubber band book on the subject of Peace, and several tributes to family cats and dogs. Even some of the granddads somewhat sheepishly got into the mood and made their own books. We were packed around the tables like artistic sardines, and the creativity was certainly contagious.

Kids and grownups all seemed to have a genuinely good time, thanked us profusely and left with a lot of enthusiasm for making more books. Our favorite comment of the day came from a young man of about 8 or 9 who was proudly showing off his work and said, "When my grandparents told me about this, I really didn't want to come. I thought it was going to be really boring. But I'm really glad I came. It was awesome!" Who can ask for a better recommendation than that?

Many thanks to volunteers Ellen, Janice, Jeanne, Judith, Linda, Mark, Nancy and Veronica for making this one of our best outreach programs ever.

And what a beautiful place to make books, or spend the afternoon. If you are unfamiliar with the Mercantile Library, check out their website. It is a membership library with a wonderful history, an interesting collection and many current events and author visits.

http://www.mercantilelibrary.com/

Last Artist Walk and Talk a Great Success

2011-09-03T17:01:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday several artists gathered to talk about their books in the Bookworks 12 exhibit. It is always so interesting to hear what everyone has to say about their work. The show is down now and so a special thanks to everyone who contributed work, volunteered in some way or another and made our Artists Walk Throughs a success. We hope to do it all again next year!

Artists talk - Bookworks 12

2011-08-26T18:25:00.001-04:00

Bookworks 12 Artist Walk Throughs

CBAS's annual exhibit Bookworks 12 at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (main branch, downtown Cincinnati) will close August 29th.

Not all is lost though! You can still see the exhibit

one last time and hear artists talk about their

work this Sunday August 28th from 2 to 3pm.

Artist Walk-Throughs of Bookworks 12-

August 28th, 2-3pm (Sunday)

The walk through will feature artists: Diane Stemper, Veronica Sorcher, Janice Kagermeier, Maxine Seelenbinder-Apke, Patty Bertsch and Stephan Washburn. Each artist will talk for 5 to 10 minutes about their piece(s) in the show. The public, friends and other exhibiting artists are all invited. We thought this would give us an opportunity to meet new artists, get to know one another and give the public an opportunity to hear what goes through the minds and hands of those who make books!

Hope to see you there!

Tell your friends about the exhibit and invite them to the walk through too!

Books by the dozens

2011-08-24T10:18:00.002-04:00

While this blog entry is a bit behind the moment of the event (CBAS field trip to Columbus), it is absolutely worth writing about almost two weeks later! On August 13^th a group of CBAS members took a Book Arts field trip to Columbus. It was a full and interesting day that began in the Ohio State University Manuscripts library with Geoffery Smith. We continued to an exhibit “The Prehistory and Abiding Impact of the King James Bible: An exhibition celebrating the 400^th anniversary of the King James Bible”, hosted by The Rare Books & Manuscripts Library in the Thompson Library Gallery (Exhibit ends August 28, 2011). In the gallery we saw a full range of bibles from medieval manuscripts beautifully painted with illuminated letters, early printed books, contemporary illustrated bibles, comics illustrating the bible and an amazing set of etchings by William Blake “Illustrations of the Book of Job” 1826. The delicate lines, precise lettering, and dramatic images Blake envisioned were a highlight for me.

The Holy Bible illustrated by Barry Moser 1999, OSU Libraries

Eric Johnson, curator of the King James Bible exhibit gave a great lecture and tour of all the works and I wish I had taken more thorough notes! He took us through the early history of the bible as a crafted book. The early hand lettered, illustrated and bound bibles had to be housed in several volumes and there was one portion of the exhibit that showed the progression of medieval bibles (housed in several volumes) to later manifestations that reduced the overall size (columns, lettering) and resulted in the Proto Paris Bible and the Pocket Bible that succeed in containing all of the written content of the bible in one volume or book. He went on to talk about the printing of the King James Bible. It was a fantastic inspiring and edifying exhibit and talk by Eric Johnson. (Patty Bertsch contributed the photos of the exhibit to this blog, thank you Patty! )

First printing King James Bible 1611, OSU Libraries

Bob Tauber of Logan Elm Press was also along for the day and he inked up some letterpress type he had set on an old Albion Press. We were each given a small broadside with information about the exhibit on it. A wonderful keepsake!

We went on to see Ann Hamilton’s installation at the University libraries/OSU. It is a mesmerizing assortment of cork alphabet/words/text installed and inset on an OSU library floor. I enjoyed walking the words and saying them to myself in a random fashion - the floor read as a piece of poetry. From there we headed over to see a private collection that was inspiring to see and hear about. First, before seeing the books we were treated with a lunch, an unexpected delight. We viewed and could touch (after cleaning our hands!) many small press books that contained beautiful calligraphy, watercolors, wood engravings, and of course letterpress! There were many miniatures, some movables, and dozens of small press books finely printed and bound and a super collection of books that featured Pochoir, a technique using stencils to create an illustration. Stunning and lush!

We had a great day and special thanks to Cody Calhoun and to all those in Columbus for arranging this field trip, it was a reminder of the tremendous resources we have in our region.

"Bookworks 12" - Artists tell all!

2011-08-12T11:55:00.000-04:00

Final days of Bookworks 12 !!

CBAS' annual exhibit of fine bindings and artists' books is still on view but not for long. The exhibit comes down on August 29th. SO! It is a good time to visit the library for one last look at the wonderful display of books made by hand and by regional artists whose creative output is varied and delightful.

Exhibition view of Bookworks 12

JOIN us for an

Artist Walk Through

August 28th, 2pm to 3pm

Main Atrium

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

main branch

800 Vine Street, Cincinnati

Artists will talk about their work and it will be a great opportunity to meet and talk with more artists who love and make books.

We hope you can make it! Bring a friend!

Artists scheduled to talk are: Nancy Driesbach, Veronica Sorcher, Janice Kagermeier and Diane Stemper and more TBA.

If you have a book in the show and would to talk

about your artwork on the 28th, please contact

Diane at CBASinformation@gmail.com

and let me know ~~ we would love to

have you particpate.

The Gentle Worm ~ tunnel book by Diane Stemper

Bookworks 12 library slideshow

2011-08-03T20:38:00.001-04:00

I know that by now people have see plenty of our Bookworks 12 exhibit BUT...it is always fun to see more! The library has posted a slide show of many of the books from the show. So check it out! Visit the exhibit on line or share it with family or a far away friend - this is your chance. Follow the link below.

Bookworks 12 slide show

Bookworks 12 gets some press

2011-07-27T17:34:00.000-04:00

Bookworks 12, the CBAS exhibit at the Main Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County was reviewed in the on line arts magazine Aeqai - the review, written by Fran Watson, is quite nice and speaks to all of us who love the tactile nature of handling a book and who relish the visual in an artist's book.

Check it out below by clicking on "Aeqai". The exhibit runs through August 28th. A final artist walk through is scheduled for Sunday August 28th from 2 to 3pm.

Aeqai

Farewell

2011-07-17T21:26:00.000-04:00

This past CBAS board meeting (July 2011) was bittersweet as Cody Calhoun officially announced that she will be leaving the CBAS board and moving to Texas! Oh Yeah! Texas (although we know, no State is too big for Cody...)

Her spouse, Kim, got a job in Texas, (congratulations) and off they go! We will miss Cody immensely. Cody was instrumental in organizing and planning projects for community book arts projects that CBAS did for the Fine Arts Fund and for Books by the Banks. She gave fantastic book arts workshops for the study group and her spirit and subversive giggle will be very much missed during board meetings!

Cody with a book!

Tunnel book workshop

Cody demonstrates book making techniques

CBAS president Jack Campbell had this
to say during the board meeting:

"Cody, Calhoun, our brilliant book artist and long term board member, is off to the Lone Star State. We are sending

up a Bravo and many Kudos for all the wonderful workshops, time given to the organization and tremendous

assistance she has lent to CBAS over the years.

THANKS CODY!"

Great Books in Bookworks 12

2011-06-13T16:38:00.000-04:00

Bookworks 12, view of the Atrium

I (Diane S.) just got back from the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, downtown branch, where installation of Bookworks 12 is almost complete. The show looks great, filled with expressive, poignant and textural books along with lovely miniatures and splendid leather bindings.

Thanks to Library staff, Kate Lawrence and Cindy Benasch for careful and great placement of the books. I tweaked and did some rearranging but not much. We had so many books this year that more cases are being requested, so the installation of the show should be completed by Tuesday afternoon, June 13th.

Judith Serling-Sturm & Jeanne Taylor

Thanks to all the artists, whose work makes the show so impressive!

Bookworks 12 Exhibit

2011-06-12T09:02:00.004-04:00

BOOKWORKS 12 opens June 14th!

CBAS's 20111 annual exhibit of artists' books and fine bindings will feature 52 works from regional artists and binders. Come see the wide range of talent displayed in these books that delve into poetic musings, reveries on daily life and that pay homage to important texts. You will enjoy the variety of technical approaches too, from altered book to finely crafted bindings.

Constance Wozney

June 19th from 2pm to 3pm is an Artist Walk Through featuring artists from the exhibit:
Patty Bertsch, Pamela Howard, Bobbi Vallery and Cecie Chewning, Lou Kroner
and Judith Serling-Sturm*

The exhibit runs from June 14th to August 29th, 2011 and is located in the atrium of the lobby of the main branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, downtown Cincinnati, on Vine at 8th Streets.

In conjunction with Bookworks 12, the library has mounted an exhibit in honor of our beloved and passionate CBAS troubadour, Keith Kuhn, who passed away in 2008. The Keith Kuhn Memorial Artists' Book Exhibit will display books from regionally and nationally recognized artists on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the library.

Don't miss it and bring a friend!

*Judith still to be confirmed

Larkspur Press workshop!

2011-06-10T07:01:00.000-04:00

Join the folks at Larkspur Press in Monterey, Kentucky for a mini retreat in the beautiful countryside near Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky.

Larkspur Press is located about half way between Louisville and Lexington and has been offering this workshop regularly for one weekend each summer.

Workshops on Bookbinding & Decorative Papers

including marbled & paste papers, hand

sewing, case and non-adhesive bindings

at Larkspur Press from

Carolyn Whitesel

of Yellowbird Editions

Carolyn is moving back to Cincinnati and looking forward to seeing more of us all again.

Saturday & Sunday, June 18 & 19, 2011

Cost: $160

Limited to 15 folks, cost includes materials.

For further information or to enroll,

call or write Gray Zeitz at Larkspur Press

340 Sawdridge Creek West

Monterey, KY 40359 501-484-5390

For more information about the press and proprietor, Gray Zeitz, who has been publishing letterpress printed, limited edition books at a reasonable price for nearly forty years

www.larkspurpress.com

Gray doesn't do e-mail though, so phone!

Bookworks 12 Artist Walk Throughs

2011-06-02T10:16:00.003-04:00

CBAS's annual exhibit Bookworks 12 at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (main branch, downtown Cincinnati) will close August 29th.

Not all is lost though! You can still see the exhibit

one last time and hear artists talk about their

work this Sunday August 28th from 2 to 3pm.

Artist Walk-Throughs of Bookworks 12-

August 28th, 2-3pm (Sunday)

The walk through will feature artists: Diane Stemper, Veronica Sorcher, Janice Kagermeier, Maxine Seelenbinder-Apke and Stephan Washburn. Each artist will talk for 5 to 10 minutes about their piece(s) in the show. The public, friends and other exhibiting artists are all invited. We thought this would give us an opportunity to meet new artists, get to know one another and give the public an opportunity to hear what goes through the minds and hands of those who make books!

Hope to see you there!

Tell your friends about the exhibit and invite them to the walk through too!

Documenting the show! BOOKWORKS 12

2011-05-25T22:16:00.000-04:00

Jo Diamantes cataloging the work

Whew! Putting together a exhibition is a long process - but we think worth it! All the team effort pays off in presenting strong and interesting work in a professional setting and producing a digital catalog that each particpating artist will be given. Three dedicated CBAS members spent a long day at the library on Friday May 20th photographing all 52 entries in Bookworks 12. Photographer Dianne Dennis was assisted by Jo Diamantes and Cecie Chewning. Thanks to Jeanne Strauss-DeGroote for reserving our "studio" space in a meeting room at the library and so carefully receiving all the entries.

Dianne Dennis lends her photographic expertise

Judging from all the excellent creative work submitted, Bookworks 12 will be a great exhibit to see this summer! Tell your friends and...

Remember to mark your calendars now for the two exhibition
walk-throughs

with some of the exhibiting book artists:

Sunday, June 19, and Sunday,
August 28, both from 2-3 p.m.

More delicious books and news!

2011-05-03T10:51:00.001-04:00

While I was busy being anxious about life and all the stuff I have to do, many CBAS members were at the downtown main branch library sharing their own unique books, listening to the good news about Bookworks 12 (49 entries! Our highest level of participation yet) and hearing a fascinating lecture by CBAS member Kazuko Hioki. Read more below!

Example of Edo Period printing and illustration

Fifteen CBAS members gathered on the afternoon of May 1 at the Main Library to be brought up to date on CBAS activities, meet with other book artists, admire the books on the Show-and-Tell table, and listen to a fascinating presentation by Kazuko Hioki, Conservation Librarian at the University of Kentucky. The focus of Kazuko’s talk was the Edo period of Japanese bookmaking, the subject of her recently completed fellowship at the Library of Congress.

Kazuko Hioki

Lasting from about 1600 into the 1860s, this trans-formative time in Japanese history saw increases in literacy, advances in printing technology, and an enormous expansion of book production, making books available to a wide and eager audience. To keep competitive and attract buyers during a time when tens of thousands of small publishing houses came into being, even mathematics books had imaginative designs and ample illustrations. Several of the examples in Kazuko’s presentation were from these wonderfully detailed mathematics books. Though many of the structures had simple side stitched bindings, the colorful and often intricately embossed and burnished covers resulted in some truly beautiful books.

After the presentation, everyone gathered around the table where Kazuko had brought examples of about a dozen wonderful books from the Edo period. Everyone’s favorite was an authentic Edo book Kazuko purchased on eBay for $1!

Thanks to CBAS board member Janice Kagermeier for writing the blog entry.

Many thanks to Kazuko Hioki for sharing her time and expertise with us, and to Jeanne Strauss-deGroote at the Library for making all of the arrangements for the meeting.

CBAS Annual Meeting - May 1st

2011-04-19T08:54:00.003-04:00

All are invited to CBAS's Annual Membership Meeting

Sunday May 1st, 2pm
Tower Room, Main Library, 3rd Floor, South Building.
800 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

At 2pm, CBAS Board Members will report on and review the past year and discuss plans for the future. Please come to the meeting to ask questions and find out more about CBAS activities or dream about the future! We are a member organization and we want to know what you think!

Featured Guest Speaker: Kazuko Hioki at 3:00 PM

Illustrating and discussing: "The World of Edo Binding"

Kazuko will have actual examples to share with the audience.
Informal question and answer periods during and after the talk.

All are welcome to attend this presentation.

Summary for CBAS meeting on May 1, 2011

Until the seventeenth century, most Japanese texts circulated in the form of handwritten manuscripts and were limited to a small group of social elites. Although printing was introduced as early as the eighth century, printed texts were almost exclusively made by Buddhist institutions with small print runs. The Edo period (1603-1867) was the turning point of print culture in Japan. During this period, books became a popular commodity, as a result of a flourishing commercial publishing industry. At the peak of the print culture in the eighteenth century, it is estimated that over 10,000 titles had been published totalling more than ten million copies. A wide variety of texts, from classical to how-to manuals, and medical texts to popular fiction, were published in response to the demands of the expanding reading population. Book covers became one of the most effective advertising tools. Bright colours and elaborate decorations were used for book covers. Books were mass-produced using low-cost paper, and dimensions were standardized. Physical appearance, such as size and book cover decoration, became associated with certain genres of writing.

This talk examines examples of these physical characteristics, in particular book covers, of printed Edo books, and discusses the publishing industry and print culture of the Edo period.

Making Books

2011-04-12T11:31:00.000-04:00

Cody Calhoun (center, front row) with workshop participants.

Last Saturday, CBAS member Cody Calhoun gave a special book arts workshop exploring both traditional and contemporary book binding techniques.

The books look great, perhaps we will see a few closer up and in more detail in the upcoming Bookworks 12 exhibit!

Book arts workshop reveals a Pyramid

2011-04-06T09:51:00.001-04:00

Several CBAS members traveled to Lexington, Kentucky, April 2, to participate in “PYRAMID POWER”, a workshop taught by Chicago-based book artist and CBAS member Karen Hanmer. The night before the workshop, Karen presented an illustrated lecture about her work, including her artist’s books, design bindings and installations. (You, too, can check out her work at www.karenhanmer.com.)

Triangle book form

The Saturday workshop was held at The King Library Press, a fine printing heaven on the University of Kentucky campus directed by Dr. Paul Holbrook and associates. (You can find about more about the Press at www.uky.edu/Libraries/KLP/.) Our work for the day began with Karen explaining the triangle book structure we would be learning. We then proceeded to cut lots of “perfect” triangles, glue up lots of hinges between triangles and apply a top layer of triangles. Precision was our aim though not always achieved in our prototypes; however, we’ve taken the first step. Now it’s up to us sixteen participants to be as creative as we can and think of appropriate content (images, text) with which we might use this very flexible and interesting form.

Workshop participants

Karen with her Triangle book

Thanks to the Press, Paul, Dave, and the library volunteers for the hospitality and to Karen for sharing her enthusiasm and skill. We’re duly inspired or, should we say, “empowered by the pyramid!”

25 days and counting! "Bookworks 12" wants you!

2011-03-31T21:57:00.000-04:00

Not That Hungry D. Stemper

Call for Entry - BOOKWORKS 12

The time is getting close, only 25 days until entries are due for Bookworks 12. Get out those supplies and finish your wonderful creations for submission to CBAS's annual exhibit at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. We hope that this year, the exhibit will better than ever and span many cases in the main atrium of the downtown main branch library. We know it will be a delight for all to see!

We are looking for finely bound handcrafted books, artists books, or sculptural books and seek a diverse and representative showing of the regions' book arts.

Deadline for submission is April 25th. Visit CBAS's website for an entry form and more details: http://www.cincinnatibookarts.org

For more information or questions send an email to: CBASinformation@gmail.com

Gabrielle Fox Lecture at UC Blegen Library

2011-03-31T21:43:00.000-04:00

With Jazz, cover

CBAS members might enjoy this upcoming presentation that Gabrielle Fox will be giving at the Archives & Rare Books Library, in the Schott Seminar Room, 814 Blegen Library, UC on Thursday, April 14th at noon. Gabrielle Fox is one of the founding members of CBAS and a book binder and conservator extraordinaire.

Gabrielle will talk about one of her most famous bindings, the 1994 Larkspur Press edition of With Jazz by Kentucky author Bobbie Ann Mason. Other bindings of Gabrielle Fox's will on display, one is of specially commissioned binding of 18th c. Irish plays that commemorated the 75th anniversary in 2007 of the Association of Research Libraries, of which UC is a charter member.

A fun time at Arts Wave!

2011-03-28T11:11:00.001-04:00

Decorative papers were used for the cover.

Finished book - view from outside.

Eight CBAS members spent part of their Saturday afternoon on March 26 at the Main Library introducing children and adults to the books arts. Although there were many other ArtsWave activities going on throughout the region and it was an unusually slow day the Main Library, together we made nearly 100 rubber band books. At a number of tables in the first floor Reading Lounge, we worked with interested folks to create a simple and practical booklet with pockets, a structure that required only simple folding and cutting. Everyone seemed pleased with their creations, and some took the time to embellish their books using rubber stamps, cut-outs, glue sticks and crayons.

It was really inspiring for those of us who volunteered
to see the variety of people who joined us. The day's
bookmakers included a number of early elementary age

Final touches were added with stamping and writing.

kids who were very into decorating their work, several teenagers (male and female), members of a local sketching group, a woman especially interested in using the booklet format to create invitations to her daughter's graduation. A middle-aged gentleman very happy to create a special gift for his mother since he was on the way to a surprise party for her, and a man in his 80s who smiled when he sat down and announced he was ready to learn something new. A number of those who joined us took membership brochures and expressed an interest in joining CBAS and becoming more involved.

Many thanks to Cecie, Jack, Janice, Nancy D and Nancy H, Patty, Trish and Veronica for volunteering, to Cody, Jo and Mark for helping choose the day's project and gathering supplies, and to Kate, Jeanne and Chris, our library contacts.

Arts Wave & Book Arts

2011-03-20T19:30:00.000-04:00

Join CBAS on March 26th from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County - Main Branch, CBAS is a participating organization in the Arts Wave Sampler.

We love the visual arts and literary arts, and are always looking for fun ways to combine them together. We have a delightful little book for participants to make and space and materials to decorate or write with. The event and making of the book is free and you can take it away with you. And if you are super motivated you could even make your book look like the book cover from the Getty Museum of Art!

Book cover from the Getty Museum

The event is perfect for all ages and families and adults too! See you there.

Location

800 Vine Street

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: 513-369-6944

Website: Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County - Main Branch

March 12 Study Group meeting

2011-03-14T21:05:00.003-04:00

Eight members of the CBAS Study Group were guests of the Greater Cincinnati Calligraphy Guild on March 12 for a visit to master calligrapher Holly Monroe. Surrounded by the beauty of Winton Woods, Holly's house is full of her exquisitely detailed work. The focus of the morning meeting was on the enormous undertaking of creating a modern day illuminated manuscript, a Book of Hours which she is creating letter by letter, beautiful illustration by beautiful illustration, on vellum, the same material used by illuminators in the Middle Ages.

Example of Holly's calligraphy

After showing a whole piece of vellum (calf skin), Holly described the process of preparing the skin for use, discussed the painstaking process of first designing the book (a 2-year process), and then spent considerable time comparing the various materials she uses, including watercolor, gouache, and gold leaf. Before heading downstairs to Holly's studio, everyone had time to look at the completed manuscript pages spread on the dining room table. Comments ranged from "look at the amazing detail on these leaves" to "this tree is just beautiful" to "I can't even imagine the patience Holly must have." In short, her work is so jaw-droppingly beautiful that some of us couldn't even find words to describe what we were seeing.

In the studio, Holly showed the group one of her other current projects, an enormous family history book that will no doubt be as beautiful as the Book of Hours. She then demonstrated the intricate process of applying gold leaf, showed us some of the tools she likes best (there was great admiration for the rolling ruler), and discussed the relative advantages and disadvantages of the different types of gold leaf. The studio was filled with hundreds of examples of her colorful and beautifully designed work.

Thanks to the Calligraphy Guild for including us in this program. Holly Monroe is truly a treasure in this community, and it was an inspiration to see a master artist at work.

Artist books in Columbus

2011-03-13T10:19:00.003-04:00

Ohio Art League, Columbus Ohio

CBAS member Diane Stemper is included in a current exhibit "The Naturalists" at the Ohio Art League in Columbus Ohio. Her artists books and drawings are featured along with work of two other artists from the Dayton Area, Francis Schanberger and Erin Almazan.

Melissa Starker reviewed "The Naturalists" at the Ohio Art League gallery in last Thursday's edition of the Columbus Alive. The exhibit runs until April 2nd, 2011

Here's the link to the article on line:

http://www.columbusalive.com/live/content/features/stories/2011/03/10/exhibit-the-naturalists-at-ohio-art-league.html?sid=108

Darwin at Sea by Diane Stemper

A CBAS Winter Gathering

2011-02-13T09:55:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, CBAS had a relaxed and fun get together at Visionary and Voices in Northside, complete with food, art, and a few new faces too including CBAS's newest board member and library liaison, Jeanne Strauss-deGroot.

I (Diane S) delighted in seeing the art at V&V but in particular was amazed at one of the Visionary and Voices artists; his studio area was plentiful with artwork of dashes and dots filling the surfaces of soda cans, bottles and planks. Inspiring! Now on to Janice Kagermeier's post of the event:

Examples of artists' books

V&V Director Linda Dietrich talks about V&V's mission

Twenty two enthusiastic book artists and would-be book artists gathered on February 12 for a CBAS Potluck and Welcome. The meeting was held at Visionaries and Voices in Northside, and the vibrant art-filled V&V studio proved to be a great meeting venue. We're grateful to CBAS member and V&V Executive Director Linda Dietrich for her hospitality, and for the introduction to the important work her agency does with disabled artists.

After sharing a wonderful lunch that featured everything from salads to soups to homemade bread and some decadent desserts, we introduced ourselves, sharing how we got interested in book arts and what we're working on at the moment. About half the group were veteran exhibitors in the annual CBAS Bookworks exhibit, and the rest of us were encouraged to submit entries for this year's 12th anniversary show.

One of the highlights of the gathering was the rich display of show-and-tell books, a wonderful testimony to the richness of the book arts community in Cincinnati. Some members brought the books they had created in response to one of the Study Group's monthly challenges, others brought pieces they had shown in previous Bookworks exhibits. The variety of works on display was amazing and truly inspiring.

Discussing and looking at artist book samples

All in all, it was a great gathering.

Special thanks to Peg Rhein who first suggested the idea. Maybe a new annual tradition?

CBAS Potluck and Welcome

2011-02-07T10:45:00.000-05:00

You are invited to - Potluck and Welcome

Everyone loves to share good food and conversation with other creative people especially in the depths of winter. Take this fun opportunity to meet others interested in the Book Arts and all the related arts – calligraphy, printmaking, papermaking, writing, illustrating, sculpture. Learn more about Bookworks, the CBAS annual exhibit held at the Main Library – how to enter, what to enter, and how to get inspired!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Noon to 3:00 p.m.

We will be meeting at:

Visionaries and Voices
Northside Gallery
3841 Spring Grove Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45223
(513) 861-4333

If you’ve been part of Bookworks in the past, bring some examples of your work to show.

The Bookworks deadline is April 25.
Help make a keepsake for CBAS members.

Bring a friend and a dish to share.

Claire Illouz "Whiteness" at NKU

2011-02-02T10:53:00.000-05:00


Claire Illouz unfolding WHITENESS

While some CBAS members were encased in an ice igloo last night, me for one, (Diane Stemper) others braved the weather to go to NKU and hear Claire Illouz talk about her book "Whiteness" (CBAS was a sponsor) Below is a beautiful description from Jack Campbell, CBAS President and a picture that Cecie Chewning took.

Robert Wallace during the introductions gave a thank you and recognition to CBAS. With a wish for further collaborations. The evening was a delight and the NKU staff pulled out all the stops. There was a recording of the entire lecture by two camera men with a sound man also in attendance, so there is a record for others to see & hear. The weather was hideous but the house was full, few empty seats.

Her (Claire Illouz’s) book "The Whiteness" of Moby Dick was terrific, a wonderful presentation was made of the book. Coming out of its box (which is a work of art in and of itself) and laid out on a series of long tables, almost wave like. An up close and personal examination of the book along with the background provided by the lecture is necessary for this book to make any real meaningful sense. Wonderful cultural expression of the French artistic & intellectual background to their book making contrasted against lack of French interest in this American classic made for a very interesting tale in the lecture. At some point two years ago someone mentions to Claire that she should look at Chapter 42 in Moby Dick. This has her very intrigued and she is off and running, a book percolates from this chapter. Plus she devours the rest of the book. Then she has a completely different idea of Melville, this is no longer a sailing adventure, which she hates, no longer about being at sea, which she equally despises, but an intellectual tour de force: Being and Non-Being, Form & Void; now we are challenging the French mind.
And this book becomes a huge technical challenge, basically how do you make a "white" book. Your type setter has to find a very hard type to deeply emboss the BFK; it turns out zinc type is the answer; a box maker who has some leather that captures the feel of whale skin and on it goes. (Jack Campbell)