Wayzgoose Musings

I drove towards Nanaimo harbour in lashing rain, which thankfully eased by the time I boarded the single-engine Otter float plane, and by the time we splashed down in Vancouver harbour, the sun was peeping through. The day was newly-washed and fragrant as I turned in to the entrance of the Vancouver Public Library, a strikingly beautiful piece of architecture that reminds me of the coliseum in Rome.
It was a real treat to be able to talk to printers and book artists without concern for manning my own table, and to spend as long as I wanted just looking at beautiful books. I realised how much collaboration goes on between printer and binder, and printer and illustrator. There is also the connection between papermakers and paper decorators and the book artists who use the papers: one could not exist without the other. The phrase ‘on the shoulders of giants’ came to mind, the debt we all owe to those who have gone before, as well as those whose contribution is in the moment.

You can see the Alcuin Society photo stream of this event on Flickr   http://www.flickr.com/photos/alcuinsociety/   Enjoy! And thank you to all those self-less Alcuin Society volunteers who made it possible.

Vancouver Wayzgoose update.

Regretfully I have withdrawn from participating in the Wayzgoose this year, as I have very few books left to show, and my work on the next book is coming along so v-e-r-y  s-l-o-w-l-y. My disappointment is someone else's good fortune as I hear my table was eagerly snapped up by another. Every cloud has a silver lining, even if it is your cloud and someone else's lining!
However, there are lots of interesting presses, book artists and demonstrations, and it is always a very stimulating event. Check out the Emily Carr table and the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild table, and see how paper is made and marbled.
As far as I know it is the only event of its kind in this part of Canada, and as it only takes place every two years, it is a mecca for bibliophiles and artists of all stripes. The organisers, the Alcuin Society, are to be congratulated.  The society is entirely run by  volunteers, and has single-handedly mark out a little territory for those interested in books and the book arts.  Go to the Alice Mackay room at the Vancouver Central Library on West Georgia, between 10 am and 4 pm and prepare to be enthralled.

De Walden Press site updated: Bluewave Printmakers Fall Schedule

Well finally I've managed to re-build my website, De Walden Press, and have put up a page for 'Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine'. I know, I know, it's taken me ages, Pharoah could have been half way through building a pyramid in the time it has taken me. Anyway, you're welcome to visit the site, and tell me what you think. 

Anne Jones of Bluewave Printmakers in Nanaimo, BC, has posted her fall schedule for printmaking workshops. I really enjoyed the day I spent with her, and will be using some of the techniques I learned in my new book. Pharoah will probably have time to build the rest of the pyramid by the time that is ready for publication.