Carving the linoleum block for the relief print.
Proofing the print in my studio.
Second run - printing the garden image in a indigo blue.
The layers are all cut - the book's pages are complete. Now for printing the text!
I printed the text on handmade cotton rag paper which I made a couple of years ago using cotton khaki trousers.
Welcome to The Garden! The book is assembled (view 1).
I recently completed a new artist book entitled The Garden. It is a tunnel book structure. I began the book by sketching images of my gardens. I then chose a sketch to transform into a relief print which I printed on my Vandercook SP 15. I printed multiple prints so that I could cut and layer the book's interior image. The viewer looks into these layers when experiencing the book. I added a bit of text which I also printed on my letterpress. The colors are shades of blue and the cover is adorned with painted papyrus. Here are some pictures of the book being made.
First run on the Vandercook - a blue mat. I used Stonehenge paper, quite nice for printing.
Cutting away areas to make the layers pages.
Setting the text, using Garamond 12 pt. metal type
Painting the papyrus covered davey board with layers of milk paint.
Sanding the milk paint layers to reveal the papyrus. I wanted the covers to look like an old door or gate. The viewer opens these to 'walk' into the garden.
Note how the side panels of a tunnel book are accordion folded papers. This allows for the layering of the book pages and their forward extension (view 2).
The interior layered pages of The Garden (view 3).
A good bit of work went into this book. It was worth it to create this tribute to my gardens. They are a source of inspiration - my daily destination!
