It has been a mixed few weeks as the weather has improved and become Spring- like, gardening has occupied much of my time and spending time in the studio has been spasmodic.
I had received a wicker hamper full of edible goodies and when they were eaten I wondered what use I could make of the basket. I lined it with felt and white linen and have used it as storage for most of my archive of books. It looks good sat on a shelf.
Then I refocussed on my printing and book construction.
The fragments that I use in my books are called blind prints, I rip the paper to the size I want and then place the paper within the inked up plate. This method allows the ink to run over the edges so giving a different effect than one if I had ripped the print up. I then thought that I would cut up a plate into squares, join them together on the reverse and then use them to print.
This page from my notebook shows the result. I decided that I preferred my original method of blind prints as I feel that it’s more lively with extra texture.
And so on to making a differently constructed book, called Fragmented Folds. The book is constructed from 7 pieces of Indian Cotton rag paper stitched together. A recess has been made in the centre fold with and a collagraph print fragment placed within and embossed linen to the reverse. There are stitched holes to either side. It measures 8.5 x 8.5cm.
Happily there are more ideas spinning around my head waiting to be fulfilled!
Annwyn Dean 