BABE and other stories

In the usual style, a round up of activities and events from the last couple of months.

The Artist's Bookmarket at the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh was great, we met up with some lovely people, old friends and new.  It was small enough to have a good look around and talk to artists about their work, but with enough readings and events that there was a steady flow of visitors throughout the 2 days.  I think next time I would allow a bit more time for travel and mooching about as the 5am start didn't really start us on the right foot, though a large bowl of porridge each morning definitely helped get us back on track!

After that, in April, it was the big one, BABE at the Arnolfini, Bristol.  It never fails to amaze me that you can fill a 3 storey gallery with artist's book-makers and there will still be people missing, just shows how many of us there are if you look in the right places. Tom made this great timelapse film to capture it all in 2 minutes: https://vimeo.com/124769276

I took the clocking in machine, along with a set of clock-in cards that I letterpress printed with 4 designs, as I wanted an 'action' for people to take part in as part of their book experience.  It raised lots of interest, some surprise that it was operational, and some hard decisions for those who liked their printed cards untouched, but also wanted to take part.

BABE was swiftly followed by World Book Night with the project this year based on Stephen King's The Shining.  I wasn't present for the event and resulting film, only contributing a tiny model to the film available here, but didn't they do a great job?

An ode to the handmade

A conversation with a colleague over some particularly fiddly letterpress registration as part of a complex book composition, about how she knew it would have been so much easier to design on the computer and print digitally, and why even knowing this she chose not to do that, led to the comment 'because digital doesn't make you happy'.  This was meant not just literally, but as an acknowledgement that it is the hands-on process of making which brings some of us as much satisfaction as the end result.

At a course run by the same colleague, learning to print on an Adana press, I printed 'Digital doesn't make me happy' onto a set of postcards, one of which I gave back to her, the rest of which sold at the Manchester Artists' Book Fair, mostly to other letterpress printers, and I thought that was the end of that.  In the months following, I found the phrase was still in my head, with related sentences and the idea of putting them into a book.  I couldn't shake it off so finally I have printed and made the book, resisting the urge to compose the text in the form of a rhyme, and presenting itself in what is probably the cleanest, neatest book I shall ever make!

It is a celebration of the handmade, and doing things the difficult way because we like to.  It is intended as a light-hearted, humorous comment, rather than a deep statement, though it does reflect the overall ethos of my practice.

Digital Doesn't Make Me Happy
Edition of 20, letterpress printed and hand bound
Will be on display and for sale at the Leeds International Artists Book Fair in March, and at BABE (Bristol Artists Book Event) in April.

Bye Bye BABE!

Easter and BABE have been inextricably linked in my mind for sometime now, so please do excuse the image, an amalgamation of cards I made from Japanese origami paper,  for being slightly out of step with the calendar.

After what has felt like many months of anticipation BABE has now been and gone.  Its been a great weekend, so much to see and people to talk to, and a few leads to follow up.  Many thanks to all those who popped by to say hello, and if you didn't get a chance to participate in my book recommendation swap then why not take part now?  Fill in this form and receive someone else's recommendation in return.

Finishing touches

Its been a busy couple of weeks getting all the books and bits and bobs made and ready for BABE but I think we're almost there.  In a sudden rush of letterpress printing on Friday I made some more train-themed bookmarks, so those just need chopping up once they're dry.  And I am in the process of making some forms so folks can contribute their book reviews on the spot.  But then, I guess I can clear the table ready for the next project!

Not leaving it to chance

Printed on the letterpress using wooden type:
 OS Grot Ornamental 10 point

My preparations are underway for the Bristol Artists' Book Event (BABE) and its all going according to plan, though as ever there is lots more to get finished.  I will be joining other members of the abc to sell some books and ephemera, and our stand will feature an exciting Lucky Dip, for which we printed a few signs on the letterpress, just to get the right aesthetic.  The fingers on this manicule look a bit odd though.