Artist’s books are a traditional, though less well-known, form of art-making.  They derive roughly from medieval times and historically were a form of artwork, bound as a book, that somehow united imagery, color, and text.  Often, the books are self-published and available in limited editions.  They are another format, like the canvas and the photograph, for artist’s to achieve their vision.

Why do you like this medium?

I love texture, color, and layering, and all of these techniques come together in the artist’s book.  Indeed, the artist’s book embodies this concept of layering.  You can cover over images, and you can add immense volume and texture, challenging the viewer about how to encounter the piece. 

I also like the book because it gives the illusion of a linear landscape - you read from page to page and from left to right.  And yet, as you review the images, the book challenges this linear narrative.  For example, your eye doesn’t know how to “read” texture, or what to do when you encounter words that are turned upside down.  Your mind asks, “this look likes a book, but is it?”  It is a way to visually trick the viewer. 

How do you create your books?

My books are very visceral.  They are layers of photography, paint, and thick mediums, such as wax, used to create images that work together as a piece.  I generally start to create the pages and will add layers over time - sometimes over years.  So, in many ways, the books are a memorial - to growth, to change, and to struggle.  View pages from my books.