Susan King

Developing Ideas for Artist’s Books

Course Description
Recent trends in book arts have focused almost exclusively on book structures and reproduction techniques. Content is often left until last. This workshop focuses on generating form and content for books. Participants will use simple materials, writing exercises, brainstorming techniques, and class critiques to spark ideas. Although no previous experience is necessary, this will be a challenging and rewarding workshop. It will be particularly useful for designers, artists, and writers who want to approach creative work from the inside out, giving participants tools that will allow them to work more effectively in the studio. Book structures and technical issues will be discussed as they relate to specific projects developed in the class. Participants can expect to have several mock-ups by the end of this session.

Students will learn to generate content-driven work and to critique their own work in progress, as well as the work of others. Emphasis is on practical problem-solving technique as it applies to creative work. Previous experience is not necessary but it is helpful. Participants should be open to trying new techniques and exercises.

Artist's Biography
Susan E. King is an artist and writer who grew up in Kentucky. She moved to Los Angeles to work with artist Judy Chicago and began making books at the Women’s Graphic Center with offset and letterpress equipment. Her work is published under the Paradise Press imprint, and is in major collections including the Getty Center Research Library, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and Mills College, Oakland. She recently returned to Kentucky to be closer to her roots. For more information, see her website, www.susanking.info.

Artist's Statement
Books are intimate, often held in the hand, close to the body. The work that moves me combines content, craft, and narrative. In this age of the flickering screen, we turn back to the physicality of the book for what we can discover there.