Sample Book Series II

Sample Book Series II: Page Two, Unbound (2023). Mixed media. 24.25 x 18 x 0.5” closed, 36.5” wide open. 15 leaves, one of a kind. Cynthia Sears collection.

This oversize book is the second in a series about sample books. It challenges the question of actual binding to define a book. The narrative explores the journey of making the book, from papermaking to printing, covering all of the failures and successes of experimenting with printing bark lace. The title refers to the second page of the book, made entirely of bark lace, which is the inspiration for the entire experiment. Many different techniques include sewing, dyeing, various printing, drawing, and painting.