At the weekend …

My three day weekend began with a workshop at the Rising Sun Arts Centre.  It was the inaugural meeting of a newly formed BookFace group. While the Arts centre has staged the BookFace exhibition for several years the exhibitors and performers have not kept in contact throughout the year.

After this year’s extraordinary exhibition not only in terms of exhibitors but in visitors as well ; it was decided we might try to meet up monthly to share knowledge and firm up relationships to perhaps form a committed community, not just for BookFace and the Rising Sun Arts Centre but for Reading.

I, who is always grumbling about isolation, lack of support etc. jumped at the chance to join book binders, designers, poets, artists , authors and lovers of books for a show and tell session.  I took a bundle of sketch books, and some books I have made; a surprisingly  rich source of stuff  I could contribute to the fine bindings of all types and the discussion around further workshops and talks. I while I don’t have the skills or the inclination to make a book I can find words and stuff to fill some!

Today is the last day of my week end and I will print some wood cuts and engravings … only first proofs but I do feel a little more encouraged to carry on.