Thomas Allen

Thomas Allen, in essence, is a still life artist who through a very creative process disrupts the stillness. By carefully selecting from primarily vintage paperback novels and science journals, he brings two-dimensional images forward into three dimensional space. With simple lightning and the use of simple tools (i.e., scissors and razor-sharp knives), figures are cut out, bent and juxtapose in ways that present the tension and dynamics of staged drama. Other techniques are applied in achieving a pure sense of humor that also defy the original use of these materials and their ultimate destiny of being read once and retiring for eternity on the nearest bookshelf.

It's the weekend! And it's raining...

Antony Hart - Weather Report, series of 9 accurate rain drawings produced by placing letterpressed clouds, printed in watercolour on fences prior to rain.

AGGGGHHHH!!! I LOVE THESE! I want to start doing some more works on paper, intricate drawings, photocopies, etc. However, this weekend is going to be taken over with making Chrsitmas cards and presents (and a little touch of shopping). Have a good one!

Jacquline Rush Lee

As an artist I am inspired by the materials, colors and forms that I find in my everyday environment. I am particularly drawn to objects that record physical processes or bear the imperfections and scars of life. Intuitively chosen, these objects suggest layered metaphors of knowledge and corporeality as an embodiment of the transitory nature of the body, thoughts, memories, or one’s life experiences.

Quote from website.

Steel and Dirt into Lace

Read a New York Times article about Cal Lane and her beautiful work (above). It reminded me of Shelagh Wakeley's work (below), which I poured over during my university years.

Just quickly...

... want to show you this amazing cut book by Clare Bryan.

Su Blackwell at the Long and Ryle gallery

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that Su Blackwell currently has a show at the Long and Ryle gallery in London called To Take Us Lands Away, until December 20th. The new work looks spectacular, of course.

Su Blackwell graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2003. She makes intricate art-works from every-day objects, transforming clothes and books into fantastical three-dimensional forms. Using a scalpel she cuts and glues the pages of books to create miniature dioramas glowing with lights in wood and glass boxes, like Victorian relics found in a museum of intrigue.

She finds her books – or rather lets them find her – by trawling through second-hand book shops. She always reads the book first and this in turn inspires the work. Some of the books that come into the artist’s possession sit on her shelf for months and months. The books themselves, their histories and stories, also interest her. They hold in their pages a record of their past events, as physical objects; their damage, such as frays and stains, makes our relationship with the contents immediate and visceral, and in turn tells another story.

Bill Keaggy

Oh my goodness! There is so much on this site of "visual indiscretions" that I don't even know where to start. Of course, I particularly like the bookmarks.

V & A Artists' Books Database

Emissions -Katharine Meynell, Susan Johanknecht
Some Day - Sjoerd Hofstra, Hans Reichenbach
Dawn/Water -Bill Manhire, Andrew Drummond, Alan Loney
Mesmer: Stories of the Human Frame - Toni Dove


Between the Two - Helen Douglas
Little Museum - John Dilnut, Joe Dilnut

The new V & A database of artists' books provides information on the collection of artists' books held in the National Art Library and access to a Visual Database of a selection of artists' books in the collection.

They also provide information on the origins and development of artists' books, interviews with contemporary book artists, a bibliography for further reading, and weblinks to other sources of information (I stole most of that text straight from the website).

Some lovely Etsy zines...

Slumgullion

Whimsiology sketchbook/zine by Whimsiology

Nothing Unrequited Here by Heather Bell

We Carry Each Other from Sprout Head

Words Dance from Verve Bath Press

The Regional Assembly of Text

I love these quirky little books from The Regional Assembly of Text. They're only $6 - $10 each, so they would make a perfect stocking filler (for me, please).

Little Books: (n.) sometimes referred to as zines, these little books are imagined, conceived, designed, created, collaged, drawn, typed, etc. and then, self-published (usually with the help of a trusty photocopier). finally they are lovingly assembled and bound (commonly using staples) by the author.