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A WALK WITH
HENRY DAVID THOREAU with excerpts Earth Water-lily Spruce Maple Thrush Technical Description My paste papers - pigmented with Nu Pastels, Pigma Micron pen, altered books, book board, book cloth, wheat paste, PVA. Page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2021. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist. |
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Artist Statement
Three excerpts resonated from Roderick MacIver's, Thoreau and the Art of Life. Researching these quotes lead to copies of Thoreau's, Walden, and two of his Concord Journals. These books presented the opportunity to design an artist book using altered book techniques. Journals in hand, two more quotes were found to round out A Walk with Henry David Thoreau. Offering five distinct natural elements designed to draw the reader through the sculptural landscape. These excerpts touch on thoughts for the poet, poetry and the book. Henry David Thoreau was an acute naturalist, who lived his poetry comfortably in the wild. He was a conscientious man of letters who affected his world in a meaningful way. His words continue to resonate, as climate scientists compare his journals with the Concord of today. |
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Earth - "There is nothing inorganic. These foliaceous heaps lie along the bank like the..."
Water-lily - "Exquisitely beautiful, and unlike anything else that we have, is the first white..." Spruce - "The lower two-thirds of the white spruce has its branches retraced or turned..." Maple - "A spreading red maple in bloom, seen against a favorable background, is a..." Thrush - "Hear the evergreen-forest note. The true poet will ever live aloof from society..." Closed: 4.25” tall x 20” wide x 12.5" deep
Open: 13.5” tall x 20” wide x 12.5" deep
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SPRING'S
BRIGHT AWAKENING Technical Description Katie MacGregor handmade papers, written in gouache, silver leaf, decorative threads, book board, book cloth, PVA, and metal wire. Prose, lettering, page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2020. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist / author. Copyright protected. |
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Artist Statement
One late winter, early spring morning, I was walking a favorite stretch under bare deciduous trees, which reach over the trail. It had rained before dawn and the sky was still overcast. The day was already heating up, creating a heavy mist rising from the slushy snow pack. The ground, the sky, the very air was diffuse with white light, contrasted with the dark wet trees. The only signs of life were the lichens and mosses. There are certain lichens that blend with dull gray bark, and shine brightly upon damp bark. As if the trees have been gilded. Spring's Bright Awakening is my sculptural memory of that beautiful morning. A fortunate moment when variables in nature align for one to witness something magical. Something I had never before experienced, and may never again see in my lifetime. |
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Spring's
Bright Awakening "Morning air, thick with moisture. A clean scent, after a soaking rain. Ghostly mists rise, over a diminishing snow pack. Silently taking leave, the ethereal soul of Winter. Closed: 15.75” t x 12” w x 7" d Open: 15.75” t x 15” w x 8" d |
Emerald mosses, hug
damp-darkened bodies. Lichens shine richly on bare limbs, reaching for a translucent sky. Soon buds, then leaves, will shadow these woods. For now, I walk in the gilded altar of Spring's bright awakening." One of a Kind $4,000
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WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
with poem Overpopulation Technical Description Katie MacGregor handmade papers, my paste papers - pigmented with Nu Pastels, Ruscombe Mill Chateau Vellum paper written in Pigma Micron pen, Chartham Satin Vellum paper written in gouache, adhesive bandages written in Sharpie, book cloth, book board, PVA and ribbon. Prose, lettering, page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2020. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist / author. Poem copyright protected. |
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Artist Statement
In 2019, a report on PBS stated a startling wildlife management statistic. Our planet can comfortably sustain roughly 3.3 billion people. Earth currently holds 7.8 billion people. A horrific imbalance. The numbers may be argued, but the real pain happening across our planet is unmistakable. We are quite literally living 'in a world of hurt'. This piece discusses many uncomfortable consequence of our unsustainable habits. The Overpopulation poem covers our planet in alarming fear. Band-aids dress and address the effects of overpopulation on our broken planet. The Wildlife Management text discusses three main policy areas that would begin to address our dilemma. Until we fully understand where we fit into the global equation of wildlife management, we will never seriously consider managing ourselves. The conversation of overpopulation must advance beyond strictly scientific, to include everyone around the planet. Only then can humanity collectively evolve towards a sustainable future. |
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"Our planet is currently undergoing a proverbial death of a thousand cuts.
To dress and address our planet's wounds are but Band-Aids, symptoms of the greatest dilemma that we face. we are too numerous OVERPOPULATION we are the pandemic Humans cause the widespread dis - ease that is, pervasive, rife, rampant and prevalent, over the whole world. Address the speed with which everything is devolving at an increasing rate."
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MILKWEED SEED FAIRIES
Technical Description Virginia Sarsfield & Katie MacGregor handmade papers, my paste papers - pigmented with gouache & Nu Pastels and written in ground Nu Pastels on English Color Plan paper, decorative threads, book board, book cloth, PVA, ribbon and wooden dowels. Prose, lettering, page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2020. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist / author. Copyright protected. |
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Artist Statement
Milkweed Seed Fairies was written years ago as a short story, based on a beautiful afternoon of babysitting two vibrant girls. Re-imagined in a more poetic style, this book is a halcyon moment in Midcoast Maine. Created with a mix of colors, almost too busy to keep up with, but joyful to witness. Round letters designed with loopy ascenders and descenders, like a young girl would doodle when beginning to write. Airy seed fairy swirls repeat throughout the book, from the letter o, to the stitching in the leaves and weeds, to the marks on the paste paper sky. The tri-fold covers open, the tree lined road pops out, and the paper edges attach to the covers with seed pod decorated dowels. Lending anyone handling this book a sense of the fun in waving a milkweed seed wand. |
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Milkweed Seed Fairies
"A cool autumn evening, lit with soft lavender. Wildflowers, along a Maine dirt road. Gone to seed, brown-gold, silver-green. The older daughter and I pick our wands, pop open the pods, and waving, let fly the milkweed seed fairies. Glowing gossamer spirits. Circling and tumbling. Blinking in and out of shadow. A giggle and a chase down the lane." |
"Danced on a hip,
The sister's eyes alight. Face full of wonder, at the magical discovery. The fairies appeared just for her. Small hands reaching, through shimmer, as crisp breezes blow. The fairies drift away, along their airy exodus." Closed: 13.75” tall x 6.5” wide x .875" deep Open: 13.75” tall x 15.25” wide x 5.25" deep
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THE QUESTION
with a quote from Shakespeare's, Hamlet Technical Description Katie MacGregor handmade papers, my paste papers - pigmented with Nu Pastels and written in ground Nu Pastels on English Color Plan paper, book board, book cloth, PVA and ribbon. Prose, lettering, page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2020. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist / author. |
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Artist Statement
"To be, or not to be..." is an age old question we each continually face. This piece considers influences that lead to different paths. The Question is a paper flower garden of nature's wisdom, created through the lens of duality, and Victorian flower language. Yin & Yang is an ancient definition of dualism. A philosophy, describing how seemingly opposite or contradictory forces actually exist as inseparable, complementary and interconnected concepts. The daisy and stinging nettle were flowers associated with Ophelia. Daisies convey playfulness, protection, peace of mind, happiness, calm and support. Nettles signify cruelty, spite, slander, protection against negativity, and clear choices. |
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THE QUESTION
box: "To be, or not to be, that is the question." "Some influences in life teach us how..." "Other influences in life teach us how..." books: "To choose calm, supportive relationships and habits that promote playfulness, and the happy protection of our peace of mind? or..." "...To entertain relationships and habits bent on cruelty, spite and slander? Clear, positive choices protect us against negativity." Closed books: 2“ across x .5” deep Opened books: 10.5" long x 2“ tall Closed box: 9.75” across x 1.5” deep Opened box: 9.5” tall x 10” deep Full presentation: 22” across x 9.5” tall x 12" deep
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STARS
And first an hour... poems by Emily Bronte Technical Description Katie MacGregor handmade papers, my paste papers - pigmented with Nu Pastels and written in Derwent colored pencils on English Color Plan paper, other shiny papers, decorative threads, book board, book cloth, PVA, ribbon and pointed wooden skewer ends. Lettering, page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2018. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist. |
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Artist Statement
Initially, this work was designed as a codex, with dark and angry colors, intended to display the emotional discomfort of the poems. A woman recognizing her world and relationships in more illuminated terms and wanting desperately to go back to her safe, starry delusions. Having resolved such difficult revelations in my own life, the design was revisited, and led to a sculptural celebration of Emily Bronte's wonderful land, sea and star-scapes. And first an hour... was added as a curiously similar counterpoint to Stars. The imagery and word choice of each line of And first an hour..., corresponds quite closely with the stanzas of Stars. Both poems follow a similar visual and philosophical thread, but while STARS faithfully yearns for the night sky, And first an hour... ends in honoring our own star, the sun. Suggesting that, once the inner struggle is over, illumination is not so terrible after all. Emily Bronte was well read, and considered to be painfully shy. Though she traveled for education and literary pursuits, she mostly lived a rural life. Happier to spend time alone out in nature, than be in company. One could surmise that she would have preferred to live in her passionate writers' mind, rather than face a woman's mundane daily life in the 1800s. Though her life was brief, her imagination was vast, and sparked with brilliance. |
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STARS
"Ah! why, because the dazzling sun Restored our Earth to joy..." And first an hour... "And first an hour of mournful musing And then a gush of bitter tears..." Closed book: 5.5“ wide x 12.5” tall x 1” deep
Opened book: 11.25" across x 12.5“ tall Closed box: 14” across x 1.5” deep Opened box: 28.25” across x .25” deep Full presentation: 28.25” across x 12.75” tall
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VOCABULARY OF BOOK FORM
Technical Description Katie MacGregor handmade papers, my paste papers - pigmented with gouache and written in gouache on Arches Text Wove paper, shiny paper, threads, book board, book cloth, PVA, puzzle pieces, metal pegs and hard wood chopstick. Prose, lettering, page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2017. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist / author. Copyright protected. |
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Artist Statement
This project began as a solid idea of structure before the content had been decided on. My love of puzzles lead to the idea of piecing a page together in order to read the text. A short history of the jigsaw puzzle was contemplated, until a late night inspiration produced a different theme. There is an ongoing conversation in the book world about what an artist book is. While no one example could wholly define a genre of such rich, creative possibilities, this work expresses what my experience and interests have largely been in the book art's field. This work describes basic vocabulary defining an artist book, while visually challenging the idea of 'book' structure. Vocabulary of Book Form encourages a viewer to be part of the creative process by actively piecing together the text. The interaction along with the description allows a viewer to more fully appreciate the dexterity and expressive choices an artist makes while creating a handmade book. |
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Vocabulary of Book Form
"Combining a written work with visual composition, for a viewer to closely handle, is a multifaceted puzzle. Every piece is designed to enhance the artist book's content. The protective box, labeled with the title, serves as an artful introduction. Piecing together the book aligns pagination. Paper and other materials are carefully chosen. Carrying a reader across the threshold of binding structure, to be enveloped in the folds of text. There is unique expression in the style and size of lettering, with page decoration. Such details inform page layout, where ideas are appreciated at a particular pace within a particular space. The colophon celebrates the expertise of contributors. Recognizing an eclectic community of artists, crafts people, researchers and historians, keeping this form of creativity thriving." Closed: 12.75” across x 10.5” tall x 2.75" deep Opened: 28.75” across x 10.5” tall x 2.75" deep
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YULETIDE LUMINARY series
Katie MacGregor handmade papers, my paste papers - pigmented with gouache and written in gouache on Somerset Laid paper, shiny and vellum papers, decorative threads, book board, book cloth, PVA and flameless LED candles. Prose, lettering, page decoration, binding & box by Joelle Webber, Mermaid Bindery, Westport, Maine, 2016. Signed, numbered and dated by the artist / author. Copyright protected. |
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Artist Statement
The Yuletide Luminary series was designed to honor my favorite time of year with a philosophy that helps me thrive through the dark season. Visually the books are designed to celebrate the importance of light and it's illuminating interaction with the wintry northern landscape. Dark of Winter, in Alpine-glow colors of a winter sunset and starry skyline, speaks on contemplating the past year. Celebration, with painted and festively decorated evergreens, reminds us of the joys to be found during the season. Returning Light, in spring sunrise colors and uplifting skyline, urges us to think hopefully on the coming year. Along with this triptych of snowy carousel books, pedestal boxes were created to complete the luminaries. Luminous reflective papers on the inner layer of the books are mirrored on the pedestal platforms. The boxes were built to display the open books, as well as protect the books and tea lights when closed. |
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DARK OF WINTER
"Nights lengthen. The earth is tucked under a crystalline blanket. Snow reflects the sun's meager winter light, as we reflect on the old year. The weary land rests, and we use this dark season for contemplation and rejuvenation." |
Closed book: 5.5“ wide x 6.5“ tall x .75” deep
Opened book: 10.25“ across x 6.5" tall Closed box: 12” across x 3” tall Opened box: 12” across x 4.25” tall Full presentation: 12” across x 10.75” tall
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CELEBRATION
"Evergreens stand sentinel over the snowy north, reminding us how life continues in this cold landscape. We decorate boughs, gathering their sweet and pungent life into our homes. In the warmth of lit candles and hearths, we gather with loved ones. Joyfully celebrating all we hold dear." |
Closed book: 4.75“ wide x 8.5” tall x .75” deep Opened book: 8.5" tall x 9.25“ across Closed box: 11” across x 3” tall Opened box: 11” across x 4.25” tall Full presentation: 11” across x 13” tall
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RETURNING LIGHT
"The solstice arrives, a promise of lengthening days. Our hearts are warmed with hopes for a bright new year. We rest content, knowing when Spring returns, we will move forward into life." |
Closed book: 4.25“ wide x 5“ tall x .75 deep
Opened book: 8“ across x 5" tall Closed box: 10” across x 3” tall Opened box: 10” across x 4.25” tall Full presentation: 10” across x 9.75” tall
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Mermaid Bindery I Westport Island, Maine I mermaidlady @ gwi . net I Please email to join my Artist Book mailing list.