My artist’s books are invitations into small worlds where you often can invent your own pathway and pace for exploration. Especially in these books, I enjoy trying out nontraditional forms—books with different shapes, books that move in various ways, books containing other books—and learning about each one’s potential. While some books originate with form-related ideas, others stem from curiosity about materials: how do unusual papers, threads, beads, and natural objects relate to themes I’m pondering? Still other books start with content-related questions: how can certain writings, artwork, and photographs spring to life differently in book form?
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No matter the impetus, my initial clear answers give way to better ones as I handle the materials, settle into the bookmaking process, and welcome serendipity. And that leads me to the name of my new imprint . . .
Curious Pursuits Press
With this updated website, I’m launching the Curious Pursuits Press imprint for my artist’s books. Why that name? Mainly, several meanings of curious, as cited in my treasured and dog-eared Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, are what I seek to combine in my books: “made carefully . . . precisely accurate . . . marked by desire to investigate and learn . . . exciting attention as strange, novel, or unexpected.” That rather odd mixture speaks both to how I craft books (carefully and precisely) and to how I let curiosity lead me into book subjects and forms (through surprising twists and turns). As for pursuits, bookmaking is certainly my “vocation, profession, or avocation”—a way of chasing, following, and finding form for my visions . . . or of finally awakening to potential forms for ideas that have been haunting me.
In our frenetic world, the very act of making books by hand often feels like a curious pursuit indeed. One of the most enjoyable challenges lies in reimagining the nature of books, and one of the greatest pleasures lies in finding kindred spirits equally enthralled with this multifaceted art form.
My artist’s books created since May 2008 bear the Curious Pursuits Press imprint, whereas those created before that time contain my name only. With either designation, each artist’s book is solely my creation, unless I have specifically noted any collaborative roles.
Limited Editions, Open Editions, and One-of-a-Kind Books
I offer two types of editioned books—limited editions and open editions. Most of my artist’s books are created as limited editions of 30 or fewer copies. With open-edition artist’s books I craft multiples of a specific book, one by one as orders are received, without limiting the total number to be made. Every book contains some combination of distinctive artwork, unusual papers, and handwritten or printed text, and every book is numbered.
The type of edition, price, and, for limited editions, the total number available are indicated in the descriptions accompanying the larger photos you will see after clicking on the Editions album photos.
Because of the artwork, the book form, or the fit between all of the features I have in mind, I sometimes design one-of-a-kind books. The currently available ones and their full descriptions appear with the larger photos you will see after clicking on the One-of-a-Kind Books album photos.
With any artist’s book purchase, you will receive an artist’s statement and a colophon (that is, a description of the materials and processes), along with a receipt for your distinctively crafted book.