BOOKS BY PEGGY MARRS

North Redwoods Book Arts Guild is proud to feature books made by our long time local member, Peggy Marrs. Peggy uses her original watercolor art, calligraphy, photographs, computer skills, imaginative text and historical research to create interesting and artful books. Currently on display at the Humboldt County Main Library in Eureka are her delightful stories: Kitty Litter-ture and The Story of a Mystery Story along with an original ABC book for coffee lovers: Java Alphabet.

Peggy researches interesting content and then creates art or photos to enhance her books. Bindings include hand-colored leather embellished with linen thread; Coptic; French link; painted sticks woven with satin ribbons; and linen thread woven with wood beads. Structures include accordion fold, pivot panels, flag books, and more.

Grasses, is an accordion fold book made with delicately hand-painted watercolor paper with steel nib calligraphy to quote a speech given in 1872 by Kansas Senator John J. Ingalls. Other featured books include: San Francisco’s famed Sutro Baths 1896-1966; Norbag Goes Gocco; and a piano shaped book about the music of numbers.

We invite you to visit this collection now on display in the kiosk at the library.

TWO SPECIAL MEMBERS

We would like to recognize the accomplishments of two members of NORBAG. Peggy Marrs joined NORBAG in 1996 not long after its conception in September 1995. She has been the Project Page editor of our newsletter for many years and has put together all four volumes of our compendium. This has been a huge job and one that she has worked on tirelessly. It is no easy task to come up with an idea, structure, or technique and illustrate and describe it for others to duplicate month after month. We applaud her work as an artist and editor and thank her for the many years of wonderful book art. With her retirement as Project Page editor looming, a group of us who have worked with Peggy wanted to recognize her contributions with a special book. We each made little cards to tuck into a star book made by Michele Kamprath. Peggy was presented with the book by Michele and Dolores Guffey this past May on her 80th birthday.

Peggy on the left with Michele, Margaret Beech and Sandy Vrem at Newport

Another longtime member of NORBAG is currently being remembered with an exhibition of her own handmade books as well as books she received in exchanges. Elizabeth Ryan Minor was a member of NORBAG from 1998 until 2010 when she passed away from a rare disease. Currently, the Redwood Art Association gallery on F Street in Eureka, California, is showing a selection of Elizabeth's books. Hopefully, local members will visit the gallery to see this wonderful collection of books in person.

Elizabeth Ryan Minor

This exhibit is in memory of Elizabeth Ryan Minor.
Known for her generous heart and artistic eye.
Made of light and love, beauty and courage.
Her memory is cherished by family and friends alike.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the book for Peggy and to Michele,  Dolores, Diane Williams and Maggie Stimson for the photographs.

September Workshop: Zentangles in a Stacked Circle Book

Zentangle by Peggy Marrs

Our workshop for this month will be to make the stacked circle book, using 4" circles and then fill the tiny pages with Zentangles. What are Zentangles? Working with a fine point, you just let your hand move the pen wherever it wants to go. Well, there's a little more to it than that, but it is basically a very easy process and we'll all have a lot of fun.

The only things you have to bring are:
● Cutting mat
● Bone folder
● X-acto/craft knife or scissors
● Soft pencil (not mechanical)
● Very fine pointed pen*
*I strongly recommend Micron pens. They are under $3.00, last a long time, deliciously glide across the paper and the ink is permanent. Once you have used them, you won't ever want to be without one or two or three. The pens come in different point sizes with #1 being the smallest. For our project, I recommend a #1 and/or #2. #3 is okay too. Micron pens are available at Ellis Art & Engineering and at Michael's (Michael's seldom has good supply, but Ellis has all sizes and has them in stock).

What will be provided:
● Pre-cut circles
● Information handout
There will be a $1.00 fee. Please RSVP (see newsletter).
Now take a deep breath, smile, and get ready to have some fun.

Library Kiosk featuring books of Peggy Marrs

Our Humboldt County Library has been featuring the wonderful books of Peggy Marrs. Do go by and see these, in the kiosk behind the checkout desk. Peggy's books display her great book art skills, imagination, and humor. Her watercolors are delightful. Click on the photo to see a larger version.