Kate's supercool blog - 50 books, 50 days

I am so fortunate to have Kate for a friend and colleague! Check out her blog (both of them):

http://50books50days.blogspot.com/

What a difference a day makes.

Good news arrived yesterday - one of my books was purchased by Jim Carmin of the Multnomah County Library (Portland, OR) for the Artist's Book collection. This book was in the Sense & Sensuality show at 23 Sandy Gallery in Portland, OR. Here is the link to the online catalog: http://www.23sandy.com/SenseCatalog/IntroPage.html
I am honored - this was a goal I hoped to achieve in the future, but didn't expect it to come from this book.

There is plenty of sad news now, too, but I think it is mostly tempests in teacups. What isn't? Ultimately, as DT said, we must "Rage, rage against the dying of the light." So I shall.

Anxious

Hmmm..."a disaster" came into the pop-up menu. Timely? Up too late, will get up too early, interviewing at 1 (4 p.m. Eastern). Fireworks tonight were incredible, and can expect more this month. Chasing ghosts - probably better to go to sleep. Perchance to dream? Even the mountains and canyons can't shadow this skin. I need a rock. A sign. Anything.

Los Angeles

It's so good to be back here - almost impossible to explain how it feels like my own skin has been returned.

summer summer fruits

It's June and the swelter is upon us. The cats are growing lethargic, the neighbors are lighting tiki torches every night and I'm finally finding time to print. Slow going - it's been a tough year, and it seems like there is no end in sight for transition-o-rama. I can almost see everything moving. Passing through, by, towards. Action verbs, nothing static. I think everything is moving in a positive direction - I am ready to dump the jetsam (biodegradable and, truth be told, invisible) and keep swimming. Life architecture. Working toward the September show in Chicago and it seems like the book from last year will be finished as a by-product. It's strange to work from the periphery but effective. I'll head back to WI to make paper and am saving for a Hollander beater (anybody have 10K they need to give to a worthy cause?). I am lucky to have such wonderful friends. I'm off to buy Japanese paper now. Bye!

This blog forum is strange - private to write but public to post - like red snappers spitting out their stomachs when caught on a line.

Slouching Toward Bethlehem

You say Christmas, I say ChrismaHannuKwanzaaka...seasonal blues are hitting. I am overwhelmed and I think next year's goal will be to make as much as possible by hand, or give handmade gifts. I don't feel cynical, just sad. There is a war, both abroad and at home. We are not "living simply so that others may live". Aarrrgh.

Despite it all, I feel fortunate and benificent, mostly looking forward to enjoying the company of loved ones, a hot cuppa, and time to make books. Happily, the regional grant has come through and I feel inspired to try for more. I'm done waiting for the other shoe to drop, don't care if I have to run barefoot. I feel like That Which Is Larger Than Us is in motion and I'm going to meet it halfway. Or three-quarters of the way. Or most of the way. I'll drag it all through the door, å la Buñuel if need be.

Here it comes....

Barely time to breathe but respite is in sight.