Customer Reviews

Book + Art: Handcrafting Artists' Books

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Dorothy Simpson Krause www.dotkrause.com has written a new book, and it is wonderful. When I learned that she had put together Book & Art: Handcrafting Artists' Books, I could hardly wait to get my hands on it, for I have admired her work since I first set eyes on it. She fuses beauty, political commitment, ingenuity, intelligence, and an expansive world view in work that is both compelling and exquisite. Her knowledge of technology, digital imaging, and exploration of new materials works in the service of work that is deeply rooted in art of all cultures and all times. In her hands and mind, language and idea are the armature of visual expression.

Book & Art; Handcrafting Artists' Books is a beauty, full of descriptions of how Ms. Krause devised her artist's books & book-based objects. Well-written and handsomely designed, it is brimming with good ideas for further exploration, and the Helpful Hints will surely pave a smoother way for those of us experimenting with new materials. To its credit, the book presumes that the reader is has an inquisitive art spirit and an independent creative impulse. It is a wide-open, intensely beautiful doorway to discovery. I think that to really run with the ideas and the possibilities, it would be good to have some experience with basic bookbinding techniques, but it is not imperative. A copy of Digital Art Studio by Karen Schminke, Dorothy Simpson Krause, and Bonny Pierce Lhotka is, of course, a natural companion.

Even if you have no plans to ever take up a bone folder, I think you will find Book & Art a rich visual experience. The full range of Dorothy Simpson Krause's work is well documented on her website, but this book takes the reader even deeper into the genesis of the books. I am grateful to her for undertaking the project and emerging with such a well-produced and accessible book.

I, like many artists, have a substantial library of resource books. One of my favorite books is Digital Art Studio, co-authored by Dorothy Simpson Krause, that really paved the way for me to combine my printmaking with digital imagery and techniques. It is a resource I use often. Ms. Krause's newest book, Book +Art, will also prove to be a favorite resource for combining printmaking and layering with the book arts.
I have quite a few books on making book structures and the techniques that are good but the imagery is average. Not so with this book, the imagery is elegant, sophisticated, and visually complex. She discusses different avenues for surface design and bindings including a thermal binding, a new method for inkjet transfers, covers, scrolls,editioning, boxes,using foil over wood, sewn books, and using text and words.
Yes, some of the structures one can find in other books but as a visual learner, I like the way the techniques are expressed in photographically. The structures and the layered imagery she has used for her books is inspirational and makes one want to grab their paintbrush and go for it!
Another feature I appreciate is a text box in the technique explanation that is titled "Helpful Hints" and "Creative Explorations"- it presents some alternative methods to enhance and take a method several steps further.
This is a book that should be in a serious book artist's library.

I am extremely impressed with the amount of information crammed into this book. It begins with solid information on working with various surfaces, overprinting, gelatin monoprints, and inkjet transfer and then goes into a variety of art book making methods -- everything from blank and altered books through creating books using a different types of folding, binding, and sewed methods. Scrolls, boxes, and covers are also included. AND, the layout is sophisticated and the imagery and example work gorgeous.

I am impressed by (OK, in love with) this book for several reasons. What impresses me first and most is the artfulness of it. Having purchased many (many) of the newer books on altered art and journals, altered books, simple book structures, collage, etc. I have quickly become weary of images of wilting Victorian ladies, phrenological heads, birds with lips, little hearts and flowers, and things decorated with ribbons, buttons, and bows.

Krause's imagery is as far from that as the word "artistry" can take you - evocative, textured, informed, and rich - no matter what part of the text it illustrates. While some of the techniques described are familiar, she pushes into surprising extensions and variations of those techniques. There are useful templates and instructions, and color illustrations on just about every page. As a real novice to making book structures I find the presentations so clear and explicit that I keep responding, "Shoot! Even I can do that!" (Which DOES remain to be seen!) There is good variety in the art techniques presented, as well as in the book structures demonstrated.

The artistry is so rich that I frequently stop to wallow in the pleasure of experiencing it before continuing to the nuts and bolts parts. Which, given the title, is probably the point, and one well nourished.

My only problem with it is that I want to drop everything else and just go play and explore. Not an option for me right now, but boy, am I storing up ideas and inspiration.

This is one of the most informative and idea filled books I have ever purchased. I find Dorothy Krause's work extraordinary and this book let's you in on some of her methods. I have seen her books in person and they are amazing. If I can create art books like Dorothy's using this book as a reference, I will be very happy.

Like lots of artists who want to either alter an extant book or create one from the ground up, I've thumbed through, bought, or checked out many how-to books on the subjects. But I'm usually disappointed by the works illustrated. As is true of Dorothy Krause's new book, all come with guidelines and accompanying illustrations, but, unlike hers, and ironically, few of the resulting products actually move me, the finished works juggling text and imagery in an arbitrary manner.

Most texts on the subject--including this one--tout the nearly limitless possibilities available to someone wanting to either alter or create a book from the ground up, but more often than not the flexibility of the medium is taken as license rather than privilege and weaker artists than Krause "let rip" accordingly, designing, layering, and collaging without regarding the principles of good design, textual integration, and imagery. Thematically they play it fast and loose, employing a plethora of stereotypical images and arriving at hackneyed associations.

Krause's book and work, on the other hand, actually show how powerful the book arts can be. Her generosity with her knowledge and experience--a sure sign of a good teacher--is matched by the tantalizing final products lavishly showcased. My only lament, though I realize the impracticality involved: that not each page of each work is shown.

I especially love Krause's painterly-ness; her rich palette reminds the reader that dark can be beautiful. The variety of binding and novel altering options offered come with great photographs, clear explanations, and helpful asides.

I recommend this book to anyone whe wishes to have not just a glancing but a hands-on relationship with the book arts. But I also recommend it to anyone who just loves opening a book and being dazzled by it.

Anyone who loves book binding, art journaling, mixed media or photography will absolutely love Dorothy Krause's new book...Book+Art- Handcrafting Artists' Books. I can't seem to put it down. This wonderful book covers my favorite things like how to age paper (I'm always aging something), working with images, gelatin monoprints (this is very cool), transferring text and even how to create scrolls!! It is packed full of information (extremely comprehensive) and if I ever find some time I am going to sit down and craft a few books of my own. I encourage everyone to check it out. I am inspired!

This book offers a few binding techniques I haven't seen covered in other similar books. She shows 2 ways to do perfect ( glued paperback) binding, which I have never seen explained anywhere else, and drum binding. Also, her work is so beautiful the book is worth it even if you don't want to bind books

I just bought this book. Remarkable. I handle a lot of books. I handle a lot of damaged books, and recognize the importance of knowing how books are built before I begin to deconstruct before reconstruction. This is about building books, books that will be vessels. There is a lot of thinking outside of the bindery, if I can play with the words a little bit. We've got lots of expensive tools for repair and making (and remaking) books for my use at work, but this book offers some fine inexpensive alternatives for vital equipment. This is an important addition to my personal library.

Lovely book- complete in scope, inspirational in works. I will enjoy just looking at this book. Planning to try some techniques. With my own voice so enabled.