Uppercase

Posted on April 21, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 196/365

Exciting news!!

A couple of days ago the latest issue of Uppercase magazine arrived in the mail. It’s the printmaking issue and I’ve been waiting for it for a while now. Wondering why? Take a look at that photo above!! That’s page 85 folks, 85!! Woot woot! I’m honoured to be featured in this magazine, and a little over the top excited about it! (okay, maybe totally over the top excited about it!)

Anyone who’s read Uppercase knows what I mean, it’s a really fantastic magazine. And if you haven’t read it (or even just held a copy in your hands) you really should! I’ve been inspired by past issues on numerous occasions. I keep all my old issues and refer to them regularly for advice, prompts and to look up featured artists whose work I love. I mean, the slogan is: For the creative and curious. Perfection. It’s an informative, insightful, inspiring and beautiful publication, go check it out!

The Wayzgoose Annual Book Arts Fair

Posted on April 20, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 195/365

It’s the best time of the year; time for the Wayzgoose!! I’m not even going to try and hide the fact that this is my most favourite show of the year, anyone who’s attended will understand.

This is an annual gathering of bookbinders, book artists, papermakers, printmakers, paper marblers, and anyone who makes things to do with these things. We all get together for the day to show our work, engage in shop talk and be inspired! It’s the best.

Traditionally a Wayzgoose is a feast held by a printing house for it’s employees. Today the Wayzgoose is a day-long fair, plus a gorgeous letterpress printed poster (like the one above by Graven Feather, of course!). And it’s also when the Wayzgoose anthology comes out, which is bound in a limited edition of 115 copies each year, with signatures from the vendors of the fair and local printmakers. Like I said, it’s pretty incredible! Check it out if you can, details below.

When: Saturday April 25, 9am – 5pm
Where: Grimsby Public Art Gallery, 18 Carnegie Lane, Grimsby, Ontario.

For more information, please visit the gallery’s site here.

Book Arts 103

Posted on April 18, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 193/365

A bookbinding workshop in Burlington, Ontario!I’m excited to announce that Sprouts Press has teamed up with the Burlington Public Library! I’ll be teaching how to hand craft your own journal at the Brant Hills Library brand new Bookbinding Hub!

When: Saturday May 9, 1pm – 4pm (just in time for mothers’ day!!)
Where: Brant Hills Library, 2255 Brant Street, Burlington
What: I’ll be teaching the Longstitch binding, each student will leave with a finished softcover journal.

Not only is this amazing because there is a Bookbinding Hub in a library (brilliant!!), but also because I once worked at the library, many moons ago. I’m really looking forward to this workshop, it’s going to be special!

To learn more and register, please visit the library’s website here.

SpringPop!

Posted on April 17, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 192/365

Today marks the start of the SpringPop Pop Up Shop & Maker Mart!

The show is located in beautiful downtown Burlington, right by the lake. Sprouts Press will have some items there: lots of styles of journals and sketchbooks large and small, some mini book necklaces, ex libris bookplates and bookbinding kits! There are so many talented artisans, artists and makers showcasing their work at this show, go and check it out if you’re able!

Where: 408 John St., Burlington, Ontario
When: April 17 *Opening: 6pm – 9pm, April 18: 10am – 6pm, April 19: 12pm – 5pm.

For more information, directions, etc, please go here.

Sprouts Press at Graven Feather

Posted on April 7, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 182/365

Workshop time! Join me this saturday for a creative bookmaking workshop at the beautiful letterpress printing studio and gallery on Queen St. West, Graven Feather!

*Pictured above are examples of students’ finished projects; hand bound journals!

What: Longstitch/Linkstitch Bookbinding Workshop
When: Saturday April 11, 2015. 10am – 1pm.
Where: Graven Feather, 906 Queen St. West, Toronto
Cost: $65, materials included.

For more information and to register, please go here.

The Grey Beaded Journal

Posted on March 28, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 172/365

Cleaning and organizing always leads to reminiscing for me. Like this beaded coptic journal, for instance. It’s the last one of a series, all featuring my own handmade paper on the covers and matching beading details.

The covers showcase my own handmade papers, each is different.
From left to right:
Coral: pigmented cotton.
Green: pigmented abaca with multicoloured gampi inclusions.
Blue: pigmented abaca with multicoloured gampi inclusions.
Grey-Black: pigmented cotton with supersparkle!! *This is the last one!
White: cotton.
Tan: my own pine needle fibres mixed with abaca for strength.

And this is the last one left! The grey-black sparkly journal with royal blue beading detail on the cover, check it out here.

Creative Bookbinding

Posted on March 17, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 161/365

Learn the craft of bookbinding this thursday! Details below.

This thursday I’ll be teaching a bookbinding workshop at Little House in the City. Spend the evening learning the art of bookbinding using the Longstitch technique to make a hand bound journal!

Where: Little House in the City, 555 Parliament St., Toronto
When: Thursday March 19, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

For details and to register, go here.

See you at Graven Feather!

Posted on March 5, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 149/365

This is the last call, the final reminder, the almost last chance to join me this saturday at Graven Feather for a bookbinding workshop! There are only one or two spots left so act quickly!

However, if you miss out this time around, there is another workshop scheduled for Saturday April 11, same time and same place.

To find out more about both workshops and to register, go here.

Use Your Journal No. 4

Posted on March 3, 2015 by sproutspress

147/365

Time to use your journals!!

Today I’m taking a trip down memory lane and sharing a journal I haven’t worked on in years. There are still several pages to go, but that’s the nice thing about journals: they don’t expire or require the latest download to function properly. You can pick up a journal anytime and continue where you left off.

Today I’m going to talk about keeping a dream journal! And yes, I totally went down memory lane when putting together this post. I even searched my bookshelves for my old dream dictionary, which was right beside my well-used but very dusty book on palmistry, and my old tarot cards. If you’re into all of these things then this is the journal for you!

My little dream journal is a small case bound book I made while in art college. The dark and inky colour palette was inspired by Edward Gorey. Six tips for keeping a dream journal:

1. Keep your dream journal, with a pen or pencil, beside you when you sleep. On a bedside table is good.

2. Choose a fairly small journal so it doesn’t take up too much space on small bedside tables.

3. When keeping a dream journal, the idea is that the memory of the dream stays with you for only a few minutes after you wake up. By keeping the journal and pen beside you, everything is at hand when you wake up for an easier, more enjoyable journalling experience. I’m a visual person, so the main image stays with me longer than the details of the dream, so I write first to get it all down. Then I do a quick sketch if it adds to my entry/if I’m awake enough.

4. It’s most likely not going to be pretty; it’s utilitarian and a record-keeping practice. Don’t worry about it.

5. Sometimes I start to lose the memory of the dream and details fade away while I’m writing (it’s kind of like taking notes during a lecture with a very fast speaking prof who does not slow down). When this happens I just make a note that something else happened, but I don’t remember the exact details, instead of trying to remember all the details.

6. It’s fun to look into the meanings of your dreams as well! There are many different interpretations of dreams and their meanings, find a dream dictionary that suits you!

This is a fun and easy way to keep a journal. It’s also quite interesting looking back and recognizing patterns and recurring dreams. I’d love to hear about your experiences keeping a dream journal.

Sweet dreams!

Use Your Journal No.3

Posted on February 24, 2015 by sproutspress

Day 140/365

Today I’m going to tell you about a fun way to use your journal/sketchbook. It involves paring down your implements (pencil only) and taking your journal with you. You may have already guessed; today it’s all about sketching at the art gallery! Woot!! Here in Toronto there’s the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). I’ll be talking mostly about this gallery because it’s such a large place and there seems to be something for everyone. But there are so, so many other galleries both large and small to explore and discover.

When I was in art college, we were told to go to the AGO and practice our sketching skills. There are so many things there to sketch: sculptures, ceramics, paintings, patterns, portraits, and the list goes on. Here are 7 tips for basic art gallery sketching etiquette:

1. When sketching at a gallery, it’s always best to get in touch with them ahead of time to confirm that sketching is allowed. (At the AGO they have specific guidelines stating what is and isn’t allowed. Here it is: “Sketching is permitted in the Gallery except where indicated. Sketchpads must be 35 x 25 cm (14 x 10 in.) or smaller. Please use pencil only (no pens or charcoal)”. If you’re nervous about a pencil sharpener falling open and sharpenings going everywhere, just take a mechanical pencil instead. Much easier! (Especially if it’s the kind with the little eraser on the end).

2. Don’t sketch other people without their permission. (Obvious, but still needs to be said).

3. If you’re a bit nervous sketching in public, find a less busy wing of the gallery or a quiet nook. You could also just do quick sketches or gestures, rather than longer more developed drawings so that you only have to stop for a couple of minutes.

4. If you’re working on a specific project, check out the gallery website to see what’s showing so you can plan what section to go to. Or, just wander until you find something that catches your eye.

5. Always write down what the work is that you’re sketching. Record as much information as you can; artist, year, medium, influences, etc. If a piece really sticks in your mind maybe you’ll want to do further research or discover what else that artist has created. You can also write down which gallery you sketched at, even what section – especially handy if it’s in the permanent collection.

6. As you can see by my sketches, I tend to write a lot. Sometimes its just impressions of the art and sometimes it’s more practical. Often my trips to go sketching at a gallery are either to research for a project (practical notes) or they are unplanned frenzies of inspiration (impression notes). Either way, writing and drawing go hand in hand.

7. After your gallery sketching trip, treat yourself to a cup of tea or coffee at a nearby cafe and admire your work. I cannot explain just how satisfying it is to spend even an hour or two sketching at a gallery and immersing yourself in art. Taking some time afterwards allows you to develop any lingering ideas and make notes for your next visit.

As an added bonus the AGO has a section on their website stating how to get in for free! The most widely applicable way is to go on wednesday evenings. The gallery offers free admission to the collection galleries on wednesdays from 6 till 8:30pm.

If this has you planning your wednesday evening (that’s tomorrow!!) and packing your journal and pencils, then my work here is done! Feel free to share your favourite galleries for sketching below in the comments.

Happy Sketching!