Home » Classes » Summer Intensive: Creating Artist Books from Found Materials 1M23

Summer Intensive: Creating Artist Books from Found Materials 1M23

Age Group: 
Teens (17+), Adults

In this week of shared book adventures, we will create a variety of book forms using everyday materials, and then explore an array of techniques for filling our books, including: cutting, folding, stitching, stenciling, printing, painting and dyeing, collage, writing, and more. Between sessions participants will search at home and around the neighborhood for new materials to incorporate into books and we will turn the art room into a museum of unusual materials for making and embellishing our one-of-a-kind books. Leave with your own collection of inspired, personal, and visually exciting books. 

Limit 8 students

 

Learn more about the instructor and project samples:

http://coloringbooksandjournals.com/​​​​​

Outline for Sessions:


Monday: Big books (Introductions)

Bound signature book (AM)

Stab-bound book (PM)

Tuesday: Color, Paint & Print

Page painting, stencils, foam stamps (AM) Printing with plates (AM)
Book of the Day (Accordion books) (PM)

Wednesday: Cutting, folding, Pop-Up Forms & Extensions

Windows, doors, tunnels, pockets, and tags (AM) Book of the Day (Asymmetrical books)) (PM)

(Possible assignment:Bring in an old book)

Thursday: Altered Books/ Collage Workshop

Making over/reinterpreting an existing book (AM)

Continue work on altered book and/or collage workshop (PM)

Friday: Content & Writing Styles

Experiment with varied writing styles and tools View and experiment with calligraphy styles (AM) Finish unfinished projects, share work, clean up.

 

I took a previous class with Susan and have often told others that everyone should have an art teach like Susan - she is patient, kind, skilled and always encouraging.  She shares her own skills and exquisite work and demystifies her processes. I have learned so much from her!

The best parts about this class were definitely 1. The instructor - her style, patience, and encouragement, and 2. Learning from the creativity and skills of others in the class.

Susan's prep, demos, and sharing of resources (books, materials, her expertise) is remarkable.  Susan packs a lot into this workshop! 

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Susan Porter

Susan Porter

Susan Porter began to combine book making and journal writing as a staff member of Boston Children’s Museum in the 1970's. Her colorful, multi-dimensional art journals blur boundaries between collage, printmaking and book arts. In recent years, she taught these hybrid forms to adults, teens and children through Cooperative Artists Institute and The Peace Drum Project – and now at the Eliot School.

Her books have been shown widely at libraries, through Beyond the Book exhibitions and at Hamill Gallery. She holds a BS in Education from Boston College, with additional study at Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Montserrat College of Art and Fine Arts Work Center (Provincetown).

“I love every minute in my studio, but teaching brings a different kind of reward. There is nothing like seeing that look of wonder cover a student’s face when they realize they have created something of beauty.”

Specialty: 
book arts
Materials to bring to class:

 

  • Favorite drawing tools (eg. markers, colored pencils, pastels, Sharpies, etc.
  • ​​9x12 Mixed Media Pad
  • glue sticks
  • apron 
  • scissors
  • bone folder
  • pencil & ruler
  • Olfa or X-acto blade
  • cutting mat or sheet of thick cardboard
  • notebook

    Optional: decorative paper, preferred collage materials, etc.