Painting Pizzazz workshop with Sherrill Kahn

Our special guest artist this year was Sherrill Khan.

Sherrill flew in from California and gave us a 3 day workshop filled with her innovative techniques using paint, sponges, stamps, pencils, thermofax etc. on paper, fabric and photo paper.

We now look at hair gel in a whole new light! Let’s just say there were many “Aha” moments during this wonderful 3 day experience.

BOOKED 9 Opening

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Booked 9 got off to an excellent start this year. The weather was cooperative and a large group of attendees enjoyed seeing the show and hearing a lecture and slide show by mixed media guru, Sherrill Kahn

The reception was humming with artists and friends and patrons connecting with one another and discussing the many books.

Three books were awarded the prestigious Newark Library purchase prize.

The winners were Debbie Livingston's book, Remarkable People I met in Sierra Leone, Barbara Scharf Lehrhoff's book, Hope, and Anne Duschanko Dobek's piece, Travel Wallet

Maplewood artist and BAR member, Chuck Miley, will be reading from his new book, Zombie Christmas Trees on Saturday, March 24th. The book is set in the South Orange area!

The gallery will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays till the end of March. (see earlier post for hours) I find weekdays are wonderful for viewing the books in a more meditative way than could be done at the opening. There is a lot of depth to this show and it takes time to take it all in.

It was a particular joy to see Benita out and about!

And, I do think the food offerings were excellent, even though I was on the food committee and might be biased.

Booked 9 is Coming!!

Holiday Sale--A Lot of Fun!

Everyone ready for the opening!

There was wonderful live music!

There was lots of holiday spirit and excitement and many wonderful things for sale and inspiration.

Add classes and door prizes and it adds up to a great experience.

I, for one, hope we make this a yearly tradition!

Book Arts and More Holiday Sale

COME TO THE ROUNDTABLE

AND MAKE SOME MAGIC

Join the Book Arts Roundtable at the Baird for a little holiday magic on

Saturday December 10

Shop, Meet, Create and Greet During This One Day Only Sale

At the Baird Arts Holiday Workshops

11:00 – 4:00

What a perfect way to meet the artists and ask questions about their work. The informal relaxed atmosphere in the gallery will take some of the stress out of the shopping experience and help us all to feel the real spirit of giving and sharing. Members of the BAR will be selling their handmade books, journals, cards, prints, handmade paste papers, marbled papers, paper art and more in the Pierro Gallery at the Baird.

Many of our artist members are professional in other areas, so you will see exquisite beaded jewelry, baskets, clothing with hand printed images, wonderful little books and paper items to fit all occasions.

Album making workshop for adults: 2:00 – 2:45 ( you must register for both workshops)

While you are in the gallery, take some time to sit and learn to make an album, perfect for gift giving. All materials will be supplied to make this 6” x 6” book with pockets to hold a page of poetry, a collection of photographs for a relative or friend or a record of memories.

Great Things come in Small Packages: Accordion Book Workshop: 3:00 – 3:45

This little 3” x 3” book is a treasure. Learn to fold a strip of paper into a perfect accordion and then embellish the pages with seasonal rubber stamps, nature inspired stamps etc. Write your text with pen or colored pencil. Or use paper punches and make a counting book for the little one on your shopping list. You can design the strip first and then fold for a more serendipitous feel as you turn the pages. Finish it with a hard cover and ribbon.

The Baird Arts Holiday Workshops start at 12:00. Go to the Baird site to register for all workshops.

The Book Arts Roundtable Sale and More starts at 11:00 in the Pierro Gallery.

Card images by Diane Gerard http://stationeryobjects.com/index.php

Joan Bess & Her Amazing Gelli Plate

During the Booked 8 Exhibit, the BAR had the treat of getting a sneak preview of a new monoprinting plate developed by our own Joan Bess! The Gelli Plate is a flexible plate with the qualities of a gelatin printing plate but which can be stored at room temperature and used over and over!

Joan showed us a dizzying array of techniques that can be used.

She showed how you can keep adding layers using color changes, stencils, texture plates, brushes, rollers, paste paper techniques and stamps.

Joan's tips on ways to keep the mess under control were fascinating, such as using a container with a wet paper pad to clean off the roller.

She used a sheet of waste paper that was waxy and translucent for clearing the inks off rollers and tools which was a work of art in itself at the end of the session.

We also heard about the interesting process of taking an idea and turning it into a product that can be brought to market.

The demo whetted members' appetites for a hands on experience but the plate wasn't yet for sale to the public. The plate is now available for sale and Joan gave a drop-in workshop on June 15th where about a dozen BAR members went wild trying out this new printing option!

It was amazing how different and beautiful each person's prints were. Joan pointed out that it's a great way for someone who usually works in a very tight controlled way to cut loose and have a lot of fun.

Here is the link to Joan's Gelli Plate website:

http://www.gelliarts.com/collections/gel-printing-plates

Caterpillar Stitch Demonstration

Wednesday we were treated to the next to the last demonstration for the Booked 8 show. BAR member Ann Vollum showed the Caterpillar Stitch. This technique is such an attention grabber and good to have in your repertoire of skills.

Ann shows variations of what can be done with

this stitch. A large demo card makes it easy to

see how to progress.

Here she is adding beads.