Portals: Mixed Media Books
project goals
I’ve been focused on Coptic bindings with grommets and obsessing over perfection of every inch inside and out. Once I zero in on something I want to master, I will do it over and over until I can do it in my sleep.
I have so many books where the cover is great but the inside is a hot stankin mess. So now I’m really working to make every fold even, every cut to match perfectly, every element to align as intended, and every angle must be exact. Attention to craftsmanship and quality is so important to me. Everything must look CLEAN and polished if my name is on it. It’s my favorite source of stress.
The goal though is to keep it from looking generic or store bought. So I’m always looking for opportunities to show evidence of a human touch. Here, I am doing so thru mixed media applied to the pages and especially on the cover (where I shine).
COVER
I started out with a large sheet or two of abstract brush and ink work. I cut it down in such a way that I would get the most cuts out of the paper for the project. I did a little collaging to add some intentional design to the randomized design resulting from the cut. (*Note to self: Gotta work on getting pics of this before I cut it up.)
Next, I experimented with resin to see if I could add a glassy texture to the surface and continue with the idea of dimensional covers. I started with spherical shapes (because…CIRCLES!) and added tiny metallic bits to suspend in it. I thought this really complimented the metallic copper strokes of ink. The way the resin magnifies the the reflections of these materials as light passes thru is so beautiful. I liked these little sphericals the tinier they got. It added a subtle touch that is a sudden shock of sparkle when you move it around in the light. Especially sunlight. Even the caustics against the paper became part of the design in a magical way. The little universe I had created was now responding to the physics of this world. Dope.
I felt the semispheres needed to be balanced with something flatter and more organic. So I tried some freeform applications of resin in more fluid shapes. These areas of resin took on the look of liquid streaming on the paper. A fun juxtaposition of textures and materials that added to the idea of movement and dazzling reflections.
PAGES & Spine
One thing I really love about this binding is the exposed construction as part of the design at the spine. I enjoy seeing how the slivers of ink strokes come together as its own composition collectively.
It’s interesting to see how the cuts will express themselves as instant illustrated pages. This is about the point where meaning and context feels like it’s starting to be revealed to me. They feel like glimpses of little galaxies or cosmic spaces. It seems to be an expression of the infinite within me….
The pages are begging for some collage and I will probably oblige at a time that feels right….though I hesitate at adding more thickness. I will consider this for future books….
