THE WANDERING BOOK ARTISTS

Peter and Donna Thomas are book artists from Santa Cruz, CA. Since 1977 they have worked both collaboratively and individually on letterpress printing, hand-lettering and illustrated texts, making paper, and hand binding both fine press and artists' books. From 2010-2019 they have traveled around the USA in their gypsy caravan as the "Wandering Book Artists" giving talks, workshops and demonstrations to both academic and community based audiences. This fall was the farewell tour with their caravan. After 9 years of road trips and over 90,000 miles they are retiring from travels, but not from their book making. Details of their journeys can be found at: http://wanderingbookartists.blogspot.com.

This fall they started in Idaho, continued to Seattle, Portland, Eugene, and finally found their way to Eureka to give a workshop for NORBAG. Peter taught us the "Nested Pop-Up Accordion Book" and the "Dowel Spine Stick Folder". 

Here are some photos of the books that Peter and Donna brought as examples.

The workshop participants got busy making their own books.

Charline C's book

Edge G.'s book

Kathy W.'s book

Front of Linda S.'s book

Back of Linda S.'s book

While we were making our books Peter serenaded us with his ukulele book – it is both a book AND a playable instrument.

Peter also made a book using an accordion. Viewing only, no playing with this "instrument" book.

Peter and Donna Thomas

It was a fantastic workshop, and we were so fortunate that Peter & Donna were able to come by on their way home.

Visit with The Wandering Book Artists

On June 27, the Humboldt Bay area received a visit by "The Wandering Book Artists", Donna and Peter Thomas. After traveling about the US for over 230 days in their handcrafted gypsy wagon this talented couple was headed home. These ambassadors of the books arts taught many workshops (some of you might remember the NORBAG  workshop they gave a number of years ago), sold books, and talked about books to anyone who was interested. Many of our local guild members were traveling back from Focus on Book Arts in Forest Grove, Oregon but thanks to the organizing skills of Bonnie Julien some of our members were able to share a potluck dinner with the Thomases at the Arcata Marsh. 

Their colorful gypsy wagon attracted a lot of attention and we all had a great time in spite of the bit of drizzle we encountered. 

Visit their blog by clicking on The Wandering Book Artists and you can follow along on their adventures. They have included a post about their Humboldt visit and they have a link to their website which features their creative books. The photos above were taken by Bonnie Julien, Michele Olsen, and Rollie Lamberson.