Beth, this is beautiful. You remind me of a wondrously strange gift a family friend brought me from France—the story of Joan of Arc (in French, of course) illustrated by Bernard Boutet de Monvel. I was a preschooler then, utterly enraptured. Some pages from the book hang in my office. https://www.jeanne-darc.info/art-image/louis-maurice-boutet-de-monvel/
I was thinking of you as I wrote this piece, Rona—your own incredible admixtures of art and words in your Substack posts. That illustrated Joan of Arc is glorious. As if someone took the sun and put it onto a page. Thank you.
Thank you so much for asking such a lovely question. I’m a writer/collage artist who lives in Cuenca, Ecuador. A month or so ago a friend/paper maker/book artist gifted me the most beautiful “flag book.” If I could figure out a way to post a photo here, I would. Each “flag” has a window in which the finest slices of dried fruits and vegetables are floated, so they look like stained glass. My description doesn’t do it justice. I’m delighted to have discovered you, Beth. I want to be “just like you when I grow up.” (I’m 63.) Ha, ha. (Also, I’m writing a coming-of-age memoir in which the book image figures significantly. My father was a bookie for the mob, my mother, an ardent evangelical, a Bible in one hand, a lipstick in the other. I “escaped” by studying literature, learning to read texts critically, and, in the end, being able to think critically.) Thanks again, Beth.
Kathryn, you are fabulously interesting. I know what a flag book is, made one once, but NEVER with dried fruits and vegetables within. That's a particular kind of book glory. And all the ways that the word book lives in you — I am pretty certain, you are headed toward greatness, and we will all be wanting to be you. Glad you are here with us!
On Ugliness by Umberto Eco is ironically a very beautiful book. And I loved Maria Kalman’s The Principles of Uncertainty—its weight, the paper. I miss my books!
You have named two dear artist/writers here. Kalman does so much with paper, words, art. And Eco is always surprising us. I can imagine you missing your books. Where are they? Where do they wait for you?
They're waiting in boxes in a storage facility in Gouda (where I was born). But I gave these beautiful books away to friends: They belong on shelves (where I can visit them).
After listening to your webinar three times, I am finally putting out my first sentence and first paragraph.
Finally, things might be returning to normal. I was the total center of attention in this car. I kept jumping up and down on the hump that separated the backseat of the car. Mom said, “Nancy, sit still,“ but Aunt Dorothy replied in her always kind voice, “Tony, let her be. She is so excited about the picnic.”
A few minutes later, a semi truck crashed into our car.
The Chestnut hill store sounds GREAT! Your piece and your reverence for art books/individual non commercial books was a hit for me because a number of weeks ago my hubby and I went to the sale that dispersed the leftovers from U Arts, and among the piles of artwork and odds and ends were copies of small handmade books that various students had made. It was sad that these objects of SUCH CREATIVITY and time and energy had gone unclaimed and slid into a jumble sale. So I will def be checking out the Chestnut hill store. And I would be happy to cross paths at Main Point anytime!
Oh. My. Gosh. I WISH SO MUCH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THAT SALE. I am so glad you were there and had that experience! And Main Point is a second home. I suspect I will find you there someday, and I will say Hello! Hello!
Wow, we're on the same wavelength. When a book is beautiful, it makes the reader experience it much more memorable. I gloss over fonts, designs, illustrations, the smoothness and the weight of the paper, the color, and so on!
Rachielle, hello to you. I wrote and rewrote and rewrote this all throughout the week. It was too long; I kept making it shorter. When I realized we were on the same wavelength, I wanted to make the post all of two words: "me, too!"
It's perfect. I love the reminder that a book is an object in your hand. Come to think of it, have I ever thought that an audiobook is so beautiful? Maybe if the narrator is excellent (The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak and Multo by Cindy Fazzi, for example). However, there is still no substitute for the tangible weight of a physical book. Thanks for the recommendation for Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance.
Thank you, Beth, for giving my Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance such fabulous attention! And also thank you for turning me on to 50 Watts Books. I have a feeling I’ll be doing some holiday gift buying there, maybe even in person if I can get up to Phillie soon :)
yes! i'm a big fan of art 'n words in books! i'm working on my poetry book now with 25 artworks and about 10 or so links to watch my video poems. a multi media book adventure! my fav unique book is Nick Bantock’s Griffin & Sabine series. and i also enjoyed one that had victorian love letters where you pull the letters out of the envelopes on the pages. ahhhh, creativity. it's my favorite thing about being a human person being. (and love, sweet love...)
and now I am smiling EAR to EAR. Woman after my own heart! A multi media book adventure and Yup, I've got Nick Bantock right here. He blew us away with possibilities, didn't he?
I can only mimic your words of your love of books. I almost never go into a bookstore without coming out with something. I have a small collection of original artist books and fine art limited editions from publishers such as Arion Press. The 50 Watts Bookstore that you mention sounds like a dream to me.
Maureen! Arion Press! I didn't know about it, and so you have given me a gift. I ADORE artist books. There is a wonderful collection of them at the Kislak Rare Book Library on the Penn campus. And do you follow Helen Hiebert, a paper artist? She often features interesting things that people are doing with paper. Not on Substack, but her own newsletter. Thank you.
Beth, you are after my own heart. For several years, I had a subscription. I no longer can afford it on a fixed income but I have bought some signed broadsides and did splurge for the new Virginia Woolf book and an original signed print, which Arion sometimes offers. Yes, I know of Helen Hiebert, and I love paper art. I don't get her newsletter, so I will look that up. I also have purchased artist books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts in DC (I lived most of my life in Arlington, where I was born. Once the museum had a killer sale on the artist books and I was able to purchase several, one of which has a fur cover.) Two other places you might enjoy, if you don't already know about them, are Granary Books in New York City and Siglio, which has both trade and signed limited editions.
Maureen!!!!!!! You are a true treasure. I know I am overusing exclamation marks today in response to you, but honestly. I am in awe of your commitment to the beautiful book. And so very glad to know more about it.
Thank you. I just love art and artist books. I started collecting after college in the mid-70s; my eclectic collections aren't huge but they are informed and considered, and I do have some important artists. Also, just looking is fun.
Oh, Char. Yes. Recently, wanting very much to have a home for something I'd written, I nearly said yes to an opportunity that would not have resulted in something I would love holding in my hand. I pulled back. And thought so much about it all. And then wrote this post, which took hours and hours. I almost pulled it. But then I thought: It needs to be said.
Beth, this is beautiful. You remind me of a wondrously strange gift a family friend brought me from France—the story of Joan of Arc (in French, of course) illustrated by Bernard Boutet de Monvel. I was a preschooler then, utterly enraptured. Some pages from the book hang in my office. https://www.jeanne-darc.info/art-image/louis-maurice-boutet-de-monvel/
I was thinking of you as I wrote this piece, Rona—your own incredible admixtures of art and words in your Substack posts. That illustrated Joan of Arc is glorious. As if someone took the sun and put it onto a page. Thank you.
Oh, I am honored to be in your thoughts as you write.
Rona, what a treasure!
Glad you enjoyed it. Wish I could share all the discoveries I’ve been making in Madrid.
Thank you for the link. These are amazing. They remind me of the Rider Waite Tarot cards.
Rona, the illustrations are amazing! I couldn't stop looking at every detail. No wonder they hang in your office. Thanks for including the link.
Oh, I’m so glad you followed up. He also did a book of children’s songs, equally beautiful.
Truth.
Thank you so much for asking such a lovely question. I’m a writer/collage artist who lives in Cuenca, Ecuador. A month or so ago a friend/paper maker/book artist gifted me the most beautiful “flag book.” If I could figure out a way to post a photo here, I would. Each “flag” has a window in which the finest slices of dried fruits and vegetables are floated, so they look like stained glass. My description doesn’t do it justice. I’m delighted to have discovered you, Beth. I want to be “just like you when I grow up.” (I’m 63.) Ha, ha. (Also, I’m writing a coming-of-age memoir in which the book image figures significantly. My father was a bookie for the mob, my mother, an ardent evangelical, a Bible in one hand, a lipstick in the other. I “escaped” by studying literature, learning to read texts critically, and, in the end, being able to think critically.) Thanks again, Beth.
Kathryn, you are fabulously interesting. I know what a flag book is, made one once, but NEVER with dried fruits and vegetables within. That's a particular kind of book glory. And all the ways that the word book lives in you — I am pretty certain, you are headed toward greatness, and we will all be wanting to be you. Glad you are here with us!
On Ugliness by Umberto Eco is ironically a very beautiful book. And I loved Maria Kalman’s The Principles of Uncertainty—its weight, the paper. I miss my books!
You have named two dear artist/writers here. Kalman does so much with paper, words, art. And Eco is always surprising us. I can imagine you missing your books. Where are they? Where do they wait for you?
They're waiting in boxes in a storage facility in Gouda (where I was born). But I gave these beautiful books away to friends: They belong on shelves (where I can visit them).
They are like friends themselves, which you will visit in time, these books.
What a delight. I’m about to watch the replay of your webinar from last week. Looking forward.
I can’t wait to hear about your new beginnings, Nancy. Thank you.
After listening to your webinar three times, I am finally putting out my first sentence and first paragraph.
Finally, things might be returning to normal. I was the total center of attention in this car. I kept jumping up and down on the hump that separated the backseat of the car. Mom said, “Nancy, sit still,“ but Aunt Dorothy replied in her always kind voice, “Tony, let her be. She is so excited about the picnic.”
A few minutes later, a semi truck crashed into our car.
The Chestnut hill store sounds GREAT! Your piece and your reverence for art books/individual non commercial books was a hit for me because a number of weeks ago my hubby and I went to the sale that dispersed the leftovers from U Arts, and among the piles of artwork and odds and ends were copies of small handmade books that various students had made. It was sad that these objects of SUCH CREATIVITY and time and energy had gone unclaimed and slid into a jumble sale. So I will def be checking out the Chestnut hill store. And I would be happy to cross paths at Main Point anytime!
Oh. My. Gosh. I WISH SO MUCH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THAT SALE. I am so glad you were there and had that experience! And Main Point is a second home. I suspect I will find you there someday, and I will say Hello! Hello!
I’ll be happy to show you the little books I bought someday!
I have a few unusual, old books that are unique with illustrations. They are special. And I'm curious about the woman who wrote fairy tales!
So many women writing fairy tales. Some losing their liberty and their lives to do it. A fascinating history!
Looks like a wonderful book!!
It is, Beth!
Wow, we're on the same wavelength. When a book is beautiful, it makes the reader experience it much more memorable. I gloss over fonts, designs, illustrations, the smoothness and the weight of the paper, the color, and so on!
Rachielle, hello to you. I wrote and rewrote and rewrote this all throughout the week. It was too long; I kept making it shorter. When I realized we were on the same wavelength, I wanted to make the post all of two words: "me, too!"
It's perfect. I love the reminder that a book is an object in your hand. Come to think of it, have I ever thought that an audiobook is so beautiful? Maybe if the narrator is excellent (The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak and Multo by Cindy Fazzi, for example). However, there is still no substitute for the tangible weight of a physical book. Thanks for the recommendation for Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance.
!! yes
Thank you, Beth, for giving my Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance such fabulous attention! And also thank you for turning me on to 50 Watts Books. I have a feeling I’ll be doing some holiday gift buying there, maybe even in person if I can get up to Phillie soon :)
Absolutely, Jane. It has been waiting for its right post home. Can’t think of a better one.
yes! i'm a big fan of art 'n words in books! i'm working on my poetry book now with 25 artworks and about 10 or so links to watch my video poems. a multi media book adventure! my fav unique book is Nick Bantock’s Griffin & Sabine series. and i also enjoyed one that had victorian love letters where you pull the letters out of the envelopes on the pages. ahhhh, creativity. it's my favorite thing about being a human person being. (and love, sweet love...)
and now I am smiling EAR to EAR. Woman after my own heart! A multi media book adventure and Yup, I've got Nick Bantock right here. He blew us away with possibilities, didn't he?
your post inspired an idea. i'm going to email you now...
I can only mimic your words of your love of books. I almost never go into a bookstore without coming out with something. I have a small collection of original artist books and fine art limited editions from publishers such as Arion Press. The 50 Watts Bookstore that you mention sounds like a dream to me.
Your own handmade books are lovely, Beth.
Maureen! Arion Press! I didn't know about it, and so you have given me a gift. I ADORE artist books. There is a wonderful collection of them at the Kislak Rare Book Library on the Penn campus. And do you follow Helen Hiebert, a paper artist? She often features interesting things that people are doing with paper. Not on Substack, but her own newsletter. Thank you.
Beth, you are after my own heart. For several years, I had a subscription. I no longer can afford it on a fixed income but I have bought some signed broadsides and did splurge for the new Virginia Woolf book and an original signed print, which Arion sometimes offers. Yes, I know of Helen Hiebert, and I love paper art. I don't get her newsletter, so I will look that up. I also have purchased artist books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts in DC (I lived most of my life in Arlington, where I was born. Once the museum had a killer sale on the artist books and I was able to purchase several, one of which has a fur cover.) Two other places you might enjoy, if you don't already know about them, are Granary Books in New York City and Siglio, which has both trade and signed limited editions.
Maureen!!!!!!! You are a true treasure. I know I am overusing exclamation marks today in response to you, but honestly. I am in awe of your commitment to the beautiful book. And so very glad to know more about it.
Thank you. I just love art and artist books. I started collecting after college in the mid-70s; my eclectic collections aren't huge but they are informed and considered, and I do have some important artists. Also, just looking is fun.
I appreciate your kind comments.
I’ll take informed and considered every time!
You give me so many ways to think about writing. Here, it is the book itself and how it's as sacred as the words on the pages.
Oh, Char. Yes. Recently, wanting very much to have a home for something I'd written, I nearly said yes to an opportunity that would not have resulted in something I would love holding in my hand. I pulled back. And thought so much about it all. And then wrote this post, which took hours and hours. I almost pulled it. But then I thought: It needs to be said.