Tying Up Loose Ends

Two Jeannes work on Paula's project

Study Group welcomed two new members at its July 13 meeting. They will all be great additions to our active and always eager-to-learn group. Cooperation with one another is one of Study Group's strong suits, and our project this month was a good example of that spirit.

Presentation of original leather bound book to Pope John Paul II

In 2005, Study Group member Paul Kirk was asked to do a leather binding for a book to be presented to Pope John Paul II, a book documenting the exhibit "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish People." With that project completed, a busy professional life intervened and before 2 p.m. Saturday, Paula still had a large box of unsewn copies of the book. "Many hands make light work," the old adage says, and in 3 hours it was proven true. Participants completed stitching 100 additional copies of the book in a simple softcover binding, copies which will be available to museum visitors as the exhibit begins its European tour. After traveling throughout the U.S. for the past 8 years, "A Blessing to One Another" is currently showing in Warsaw, Poland.

Trish works with jute and learns a new stitching pattern to join two signatures

What first appeared to be a simple structure became more challenging as we learned a new stitching pattern and used a new material: jute twine. The completed books looked very professional, but our laughing consensus was that jute twine would not replace the more familiar waxed linen thread in most of our tool kits. As a thank you for helping Paula complete this long delayed project, everyone in attendance received a copy of the book.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and to Paula for involving Study Group in an unusual and interesting project.

Your blogger thanks Janice for the story and photos.

Workshop Weekend a Great Success

CBAS Chair Lou Kroner introduces Paul Johnson on Friday night

Paul show us his amazing book structures

This year's visiting artist Paul Johnson came to us fresh from teaching gigs in Vermont and Maine. We were indeed fortunate to be on his itinerary during this visit from England. Friday night he shared his work and enthusiasm with us at a lecture at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. His recent work, incorporating more text than in the past, is a joy to behold. His vibrantly dyed paper (he uses heavy 140 lb. Saunders watercolor) and unique locking mechanisms that enable the pieces to collapse completely flat were real crowd pleasers. There were gasps of amazement as he opened the larger ones. And Paul is so gracious in sharing his expertise and in encouraging us to pass along our own artistic gifts to others. He is an artist and a teacher who inspires his students, both young and young-at-heart.

Paul's gazebo provided inspiration on Saturday

Personalized gazebos take shape

Paul helps us get started on spirit house bases on Sunday

Paul's model (front) and his completed spirit house (rear)

Saturday and Sunday it was "hurray for gazebos and spirits houses!" Two dozen participants in the CBAS workshop focused on the many-part gazebo structure assembled with "Us and Ts" on the first day and then learned a different assembly technique making spirit houses on the second day. When the basic spirit house structures were all locked into place, everyone had time to get their creative juices flowing with embellishments for most of the afternoon. It was an inspiring weekend.

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 Thanks to the CBAS Visiting Artist Committee and CBAS Board for pitching in to handle all the details for Paul Johnson's visit. Special thanks to Janice for hosting the wrap-up pizza supper at the end of the workshop. And much gratitude to the Art Academy of Cincinnati for providing space for the lecture and workshop.

NATURAL DYEING ON PAPER AND CLOTH — a CBAS workshop with fiber artist Judy Dominic

Two options:

Saturday, July 20 (1-5 p.m.) & Sunday, July 21 (2-4 p.m.)

or Saturday, July 27 (1-5 p.m.) & Sunday, July 28 (2-4 p.m.)

Using only what nature offers, dye paper and cloth with the lovely colors of the world around us. We will collect interesting local organics, place them on paper and/or cloth, bundle, wrap, tie and simmer them to extract the available color. The first day will be spent collecting and bundling/folding and wrapping/tying. Pots will be simmered and left to cool overnight. The second day will be like Christmas as we discover what has happened with our bundled treasures. To complement the process, compost and rust dyeing on both paper and cloth will also be explored.

 Judy Dominic is a weaver, basket maker, paper maker, book artist and installation artist who has exhibited and taught nationally and internationally. For more information and images of her work, see http://www.judydominic.com.

Workshops will be held at the artist's studio in Harrison, Ohio. Directions will be sent to all registrants.

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

CBAS members $25

Non-members $40 (includes membership for remainder of 2013)

Fee covers 2-day workshop and basic materials. Estimated supply cost $20-$30. Reservations will be honored in the order received (no phone or e-mail reservations). All details, including cancellation policy, are on the registration form.

Space is limited. Deadline for reservations: Wednesday, July 10.
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(To print registration form, right click on your mouse, then save image as JPEG to your desktop.)

   

First Bookworks 14 Walk-Through Opens Our Eyes

Peg Rhein describes Parallel Lives, her collaged paper accordion

The First Bookworks 14 Artist Walk-Through on Sunday, June 23, brought a group of fifteen interested book lovers to the Main Library. Seven exhibitors each spoke about the work they had contributed: the inspiration behind the work, the process of creating it, the materials and techniques they used. Hearing those back stories gave us a glimpse into each artist's creative journey, and every one of the pieces took on much more meaning.

Fran Watson tells us what inspired her book Shades of Gray

 The second (and last) Walk-Through will be held Sunday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. in the Atrium of the Main Library, 800 Vine Street. Even if you've seen the exhibit, you won't want to miss the opportunity to hear from some of the wonderfully creative artists in this year's show.

NOTE: At the request of the Public Library, the exhibition dates have been extended, and Bookworks will be on display until September 1.

Thanks to Janice K. for the report.

CBAS Announces Purchase Award

CBAS is very pleased to announce its Purchase Award for 2013, chosen from its annual Bookworks exhibition. This book will be a gift to the collection of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in memory of Keith Kuhn, former CBAS Chair and Library Services Director.

Selected by judges Amy Bogard (Art Academy of Cincinnati) and Lisa Jameson (Northern Kentucky University) was Paul's Blues by Lou Kroner. The artist's statement describes the work as follows: Inspired by the work of artist Dolph Smith, this book of old blue prints seemed to have only one presentation possibility—as part of an architectural structure. This project includes the tools and blueprints of my father-in-law, Paul Stryker, teacher and architect.

Paul's Blues by Lou Kroner

Be sure to plan a visit to Bookworks 14, now on view in the Library Atrium, June 11 through August 18, where you can see Paul's Blues, one of forty creative entries this year. And mark your calendar for 3 related events: 2 Sunday walk-throughs with book artists at 2 p.m. on June 23 and August 11; a free journal making workshop on Saturday, August 3, 2-5 p.m.

Note: The Library's fine collection of artists' books can be accessed anytime by visiting the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room on the third floor during regular business hours. The collection contains the best of local, regional, national and international work.

CBAS MEMBERS TOUR VENT HAVEN MUSEUM

CBAS gatherings are always enjoyable, but our much anticipated June 8 field trip to the Vent Haven Museum exceeded everyone's expectations. Vent Haven, in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, calls itself "the world's only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism," and 20 CBAS members spent the afternoon exploring one of Greater Cincinnati's true hidden treasures.

Curator Jennifer Dawson (back row, left) was wonderfully generous with her time, taking the group through each of the museum's three main buildings, sharing a wealth of information about the history of the art and the museum's founding, introducing us to a few of the 800 ventriloquist's dummies that bring the museum to life, and then allowing us to stay to photograph and sketch. The field trip was the first step in a CBAS collaborative project to create an exquisite corpse book this fall based on images inspired by the visit to Vent Haven.

Most of the figures were new to us, but a few old friends—among them Charlie McCarthy, Lambchop and Señor Wences—greeted the group as well. In what may be the first CBAS sing-along, the whole group spontaneously burst into "N-E-S-T-L-E-S, Nestle's makes the very best choc'late" when Jennifer pointed out Farfel the dog sitting high on a shelf.

The Vent Haven Museum was the life's work of William Shakespeare Berger (1878–1972), a Cincinnati businessman who on a trip to New York in 1910 impulsively bought and then promptly lost interest in a dummy he later named Tommy Baloney. Years later he remembered the forgotten figure and began to learn the art of ventriloquism. After he retired in the late 1940s, Berger devoted his energies to acquiring figures for his collection and serving as President of the International Brotherhood of Ventriloquists. The revenue from a trust Berger established continues to maintain the museum today. In July, Vent Haven will again host the annual ConVENTion that brings over 400 amateur and professional ventriloquists from all over the world to the area and to the museum.

Many, many thanks to curator Jennifer Dawson for her time, expertise and hospitality. Our field trip to Vent Haven has been a highlight of the year, and great inspiration for our collaborative book.

Thanks to Janice K. for sending along this information and photos.

CBAS at Ohio Print Gathering

Cincinnati's Tiger Lily Press (TLP) hosted the Fourth Annual Ohio Print Gathering (OPG), May 31-June 1. Artists from Cleveland's Zygote Press, Phoenix Rising from Columbus, and the Dayton Printmakers Cooperative joined TLP members and friends.

Activities included a tour of the studio of Jay Bolotin; a visit to the Steam Whistle Letterpress and Design; the opportunity to view prints at the Clay Street Press; and the opening of Prints for Peace and Justice at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Congratulations to CBAS members David Umbenhour and Terri Kern, whose collaborative work with Richard Hague won the Director's Award.

Plenty of time to admire and discuss the work of CBAS members and Ohio printmakers

Thanks to Tiger Lily for inviting CBA members to display work during Open Portfolio Review on Saturday. OPG participants examined the work on display, asked lots of questions, and listened as Cecie Chewning, Nancy Driesbach, Lou Kroner, and Peg Rhein discussed their work and process.

CBAS members who had work on display included: Cecie Chewning, Trish DeMonge, Jo Diamantes, Judy Dominic, Nancy Driesbach, Nancy Hignite, Janice Kagermeier, Paula Kirk, Lou Kroner, Peg Rhein, Judith Serling-Sturm, Anne Endress Skove, Veronica Sorcher, and Stefan Washburn.

Thanks to Rick Finn for the photo and Lou K. for this information. For more photos of the weekend, visit TLP's blog. http://www.tigerlilypress.blogspot.com/