Category Archives: Photography

More Recycled Books: Pressed Bark Wrapped Drum Binding

Today’s experiment with recycled materials: Extra photographs leftover from another project and some beautiful bark I brought home and pressed after the same walk where I took the photos.

Before:

And after:

I used a drum binding so the photographs could be bound without stitching. They are folded such that when you open them the photo lays flat just as it was in the “before” photo. I inked the edges of the photographs to get rid of the bright white using a Staz-On ink pad. I mounted the pressed bark onto a scrap of Rives BFK and let it dry under pressure over night (a lot of pressure, think a BIG stack of books). Lastly I glued the bark cover to the inside pages. Again drying it under pressure overnight. Voila! I really love the bark cover. I’m going to have to play with that on a larger scale.

Have you used pressed bark in your books? How did it work out for you?

~Ginger

www.gingerburrell.com

Robert Dawson’s Library Road Trip

Book artists have a thing for libraries. We love books. Period. Photographers love libraries too. Rows of colored spines, amazing and beautiful architectural gems, multiples of scale – all make great subjects for photography.

I mentioned Robert Dawson in a recent blog post and, when I was searching for links to his The Great Central Valley and Farewell Promised Land projects, I found that he is on a summer-long photography trip with his son, Walker. (I never asked Bob, but I wonder if he’s named after Walker Evans?)

Bob and Walker’s project is called “An American Commons: Photographing Public Libraries Across America” and, while I’m sure we’ll all want copies of the final book that comes out of this project, we can get a sneak peek now by reading the blog, Library Road Trip.

I spent quite a lot of time wandering through the blog and I am reminded how much I enjoy Bob’s photography and how much I need to go on a road trip. The blog is also very interesting because Bob and Walker have included historical, cultural and political influences relating to the libraries they are photographing. I’m looking forward to spending more time reading the details.

Do you have an ongoing photography or other project that you’re working on? Feel free to share in the comments.

~Ginger

www.gingerburrell.com

Outside of the Comfort Zone (Mine)

Not only have I been encouraging you to get your art out into the world, but I’ve also been sending out mine. I’m proud to share with you that my artists’ books will be in three current and upcoming gallery shows in case you’d like to see them in person.

4th Annual Juried Show – Sylvia White Gallery – Ventura, California – now through September 3rd

The first show, going on now through September 3, is at the Sylvia White Gallery in Ventura, California. This annual juried show is why I titled the blog post “Outside of the Comfort Zone.” I was not going to enter this show because: 1. It is the Sylvia White Gallery, 2. It is not a book arts gallery, 3. I was pretty darned sure my work wouldn’t be chosen in this kind of setting. But, at the last-minute, I decided to enter. What’s that saying, you could have knocked me over with a feather? Well, in this case it was true. I’ll admit to some impromptu dancing with my husband in our closet (long story) when we found out that two of my artists’ books, The Heaven Project and Loves Me/Not had been chosen from 1800 entries for the show. If you can’t make it to the gallery in person, you can see the show online, here.

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From Our Perspectives: A National Women’s Art Exhibition – Oakland Community College, Farmington Hills, Michigan – September 15 – October 14

I’m pleased to have been asked to participate in this annual show for a second time, this time with my artists’ book I’m Telling You Now.  The description for the show: “Within their chosen medium, today’s women artists continue to share their unique viewpoints on the material, personal, global, political and cultural landscapes that surround us.”

I’d love to see the show in person but don’t think I can get to Michigan during that timeframe. Are you local? I’d love to see some photos. You can also see slide shows of previous year’s shows: 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

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BookOpolis 2011- Asheville Bookworks – Asheville, North Carolina – September 23 and 24 (Some work extended until November 28th)

This year I’ll have One Second of Time and Empty at BookOpolis in North Carolina. It’s not too late to send your own work, learn more here. I’m hoping like last year, to have one book, or both, chosen for the extended Capital Works Show.

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Is there a show you’ve been thinking of entering but are not sure it’s worth the entry fee, potential rejection (At the same time that I was notified of the Sylvia White selection, I was notified that my work was not chosen for the Marin MOCA show, Shattered), or hassle? Remember your art needs a viewer to fulfill its potential and give it a try.

~Ginger

www.gingerburrell.com