Shereen LaPlantz, University of Puget Sound

Article by Dolores Guffey, Photos by Bonnie Julien

Currently, at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, there is an exhibit of the work of artist Shereen LaPlantz. The exhibit is through March 12, 2010. Not all of our current guild members may be aware that Shereen was one of the founding members of North Redwoods Book Arts Guild. Although she was only a member during the first year (1995-96) her influence and dedication to book arts has shaped not only our guild, but anyone who decided to try their hand at book arts. I feel honored to have had the experience of not only taking workshops from her, but observing her create Cover to Cover.  She had "play days" where she invited other book artists to come to her studio to work up models that would be in the book. Among those at the play days were Dorothy Swendeman, Elaine Benjamin, Robin Renshaw, JoAnne Berke, and Dolores Guffey.

After Cover to Cover was published, Shereen initiated the organizing of a Book Arts Conference here in Humboldt County, one of the purposes of creating The North Redwoods Book Arts Guild. In June of 1996 we put on a fantastic conference with nationally recognized book art instructors from all over the U.S. and even Canada. Shereen was able to use her connections to gather 18 book artists to participate. This was our first and last conference. As successful as it was, it was just too much work! After the conference Shereen took a different direction and concentrated on her one and three year workshop commitments which she taught in her home.

Editor comments:

The University of Puget Sound has an excellent press release where you will learn more about Shereen and her books. NORBAG member, Bonnie Julien enjoyed touring the exhibit and she was given permission to take photos. She has provided all of the captions and has taken photos in very challenging conditions with great results. View the following Picasa slideshow to feel as if you're touring the exhibit yourself! (Click on the slideshow image to view a larger version in Picasa)

To our readers! Do you have a favorite structure from Cover to Cover or The Art & Craft of Handmade Books? If so, use the "COMMENT" link below, then type your favorite structure, answer the "word verification" (keeps out computer spam), use the "Name" button (you only need a first name) and publish your comment to share with other readers.

Holes, Gaps, and Apertures from England

Article by Margaret Beech, photos by Jill Williams, UK

 

OCTOBER MEETING OF QUARTO AND BOUND TO BE GOOD

Quarto was founded in 2001 and its members—around sixteen—meet four times a year at the University of Sunderland. In lieu of membership and attendance fee we have an obligatory book exchange at each meeting. Members spend quite some time explaining to the group how the book was made and what inspired it, followed by either a workshop by a paid tutor or a mini-workshop taught by members. In October 2009 members of Bound to be Good (BTBG) from Calderdale near Halifax (about 100 miles south of Sunderland) drove north to share our meeting with us. Like Quarto, BTBG grew out of a local calligraphy society when their members decided to take their lettering skills further and discovered book arts. Now both groups have members who have no lettering skills but bring other disciplines to share. 

On the day of the exchange everyone brought a book; the subject was "Holes, Gaps, and Apertures. We had plenty of opportunity to view books made for previous exchanges, meet new people with similar interests but sometimes a different take on what was done, and share lunch together. It was a most successful day and we hope to share meetings and books again in the future.

Picasa Slideshow:

View Larger Map
(From editor): We look forward to more "online" meetings. Thank you!

Stamps and Stencils Workshop Results

We had a great turnout for the Valentine Card exchange; it's always great fun to see how twenty book artists interpret the Valentine theme. These cards (or books) were made by some of our out-of-town members. Thank You!

The workshop focused on creating our own stamps using Fun Foam or meat trays. Sandy V. was the instructor and she had many great examples, inspiring us all to snip away and come of with some really good results.
To see a slide show of stamps being constructed, completed stamps, and results of the printing, please visit Stamps and Stencils. This is a Picasa website and you can view the workshop as a slide show. We will certainly see more handmade stamps and stencils showing up in our books. Great fun and some great chocolate candies.