Illuminated and Royal

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....

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....

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....

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

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

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!!

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/