I Could Write A Book
Birth of A Project
The project began with a journey of healing, a desire for community connection, creative curiosity, and a daily commitment. All followed by a breakthrough with a flood of ideas and a flurry of activity.
1. At the suggestion of a friend, I began a 12-week online program for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery, with its own private FB group of over 500 women seeking their own healing.
2. Three weeks later, as a creative slump continued. I decided to follow my curiosity and expand my creative practice by doing something purely for the pleasure of it. I joined a 5-day Bookmaking Challenge on Facebook, and subsequently joined the online Handmade Book Club to learn more about book binding and to make more books.
3. A week later I joined an FB group called 'A Little A Day'. A 20-day creativity project designed to support participants, provide creative encouragement and help ease anxiety through the run up and the days following the election. Encouraging everyone to spend a little time each day doing something creative. I decided to focus on writing each day, downloading my morning's anxious thoughts and turning them into little rhyming ruminations (poems of sorts). I also began making artist books as part of my daily creative exercise. A week into the project the idea of I Could Write A Book was born, along with the desire to make a series of artist books on the topic of Domestic Abuse.
1. At the suggestion of a friend, I began a 12-week online program for Narcissistic Abuse Recovery, with its own private FB group of over 500 women seeking their own healing.
2. Three weeks later, as a creative slump continued. I decided to follow my curiosity and expand my creative practice by doing something purely for the pleasure of it. I joined a 5-day Bookmaking Challenge on Facebook, and subsequently joined the online Handmade Book Club to learn more about book binding and to make more books.
3. A week later I joined an FB group called 'A Little A Day'. A 20-day creativity project designed to support participants, provide creative encouragement and help ease anxiety through the run up and the days following the election. Encouraging everyone to spend a little time each day doing something creative. I decided to focus on writing each day, downloading my morning's anxious thoughts and turning them into little rhyming ruminations (poems of sorts). I also began making artist books as part of my daily creative exercise. A week into the project the idea of I Could Write A Book was born, along with the desire to make a series of artist books on the topic of Domestic Abuse.
A communal project - comprising of hand covered notebooks that document individual women's abuse stories - In Their Own Words. A journey of healing by documenting their stories, validating their experience, and shedding light on the issue of Domestic Abuse.
My hope is to invite each woman to participate from the 'The Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Program' online course. Along with other women I know who would like to participate. Providing them with their own notebook to write their own story.
Many of the women have already written aspects of their stories briefly in Facebook posts within the group. My expectation would be to not burden them with feeling like they have to write a memoir. 'Story' is used loosely. Women can choose to approach this broadly. A 'story' might be a snapshot of their experience. A glimpse of incidents from their journey that they want to share. Words or sentences that express how they feel in response to their experience or their recovery, A poem or prose. Images that might express their feelings. They may choose to transcribe texts or emails documenting abusive communications, and or include their recovery story. There is a lot of flexibility for interpretation. There would be no obligation to fill up the book, just to write as much or as little as they desire.
These books will grow into a library documenting Domestic Abuse and will form part of an art exhibition.
How it Works:
1. I would source or make blank notebooks and mail them to each woman, who will return a completed book to me within 4 weeks. There is no obligation to fill the book, just to document as much or as little as they are comfortable with. See previous paragraph.
2. I would then create a cover, selecting colored papers. Each woman's name could be cut into the book cover, or I can select fictional names for privacy sake. The color of the covers hint at its content. Different types of abuse could be color-coded e.g. Narcissistic Abuse - Green; Physical Abuse: Purple; etc. Books can have multiple colored covers.
3. There may be a small fee to cover material costs and postage - this will be determined (I am also looking into sponsorship opportunities or applying for a grant to cover costs).
4. The books would form part of a growing library of Domestic Abuse. The library brings their secret stories to light and shines a light on the wider topic.. The library would also form part of an exhibition at Coastal Contemporary Gallery, in Newport, Rhode Island in the USA.
N.B. This is a significant undertaking and privacy is an important consideration. A contract therefore would be drawn up detailing usage parameters, and each book that is returned will also be logged into a catalogue for tracking, and matched with it's author, should the books need be returned after the exhibition. However, I would hope to take the exhibition on tour to other venues such as galleries, libraries, non-profit organization or museums, with the hope that the library might become part of one organization's permanent collection.
The Exhibition:
The library would form the main part of the exhibition - I Could Write A Book, in collaboration with Coastal Contemporary Gallery in Newport Rhode Island. A tentative timeframe would be Fall of 2021.
The exhibition may consist of a wide program with multiple elements: Each element could speak to one specific aspect of domestic abuse or be broader and more flexible in scope.
Possible elements of a program might be:
1. A library of Domestic Abuse Books - In Their Own Words - Women’s Stories of Healing - written in their own words.
2. Artist Books - A series of artists books made by me, tackling an aspect of abuse in a creative and visual way.
3. Gallery Visitor Participation - Visitors would also have the opportunity to contribute by taking home blank notebooks to be write their story and returned to me.. These would be added to a growing library documenting abuse. An opportunity could also be made available online to request a book. Online participation also reaches a wider audience.
4. A Bound Book - Restraining orders filed by the women.
5. Portraits of Women - Printmaking, photography or art
6. A Multimedia Room - Video display of scrolling text messages from abusers (anonymous).
7. Audio Recording - A narration stating the facts and statistics of domestic abuse nationally and globally. or a rolling stream of text listing statistics.
8. Speaking Opportunity - Women could also be given the opportunity to speak at an event or be recorded narrating their story.
9. A Call for Art - A juried element of the exhibition, inviting artists to create art or books on the topic of Domestic Abuse.
10. Digital Resource - Domestic Abuse help groups and organizations. These would also have an opportunity to sponsor the project and garner greater awareness.
11. Workshop - Women may have the opportunity of being more involved in the whole process by making their own artist books from a simple template, supplies list and an accompanying video on making the book. This could be a therapeutic part of the process. of healing.
My hope is to invite each woman to participate from the 'The Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Program' online course. Along with other women I know who would like to participate. Providing them with their own notebook to write their own story.
Many of the women have already written aspects of their stories briefly in Facebook posts within the group. My expectation would be to not burden them with feeling like they have to write a memoir. 'Story' is used loosely. Women can choose to approach this broadly. A 'story' might be a snapshot of their experience. A glimpse of incidents from their journey that they want to share. Words or sentences that express how they feel in response to their experience or their recovery, A poem or prose. Images that might express their feelings. They may choose to transcribe texts or emails documenting abusive communications, and or include their recovery story. There is a lot of flexibility for interpretation. There would be no obligation to fill up the book, just to write as much or as little as they desire.
These books will grow into a library documenting Domestic Abuse and will form part of an art exhibition.
How it Works:
1. I would source or make blank notebooks and mail them to each woman, who will return a completed book to me within 4 weeks. There is no obligation to fill the book, just to document as much or as little as they are comfortable with. See previous paragraph.
2. I would then create a cover, selecting colored papers. Each woman's name could be cut into the book cover, or I can select fictional names for privacy sake. The color of the covers hint at its content. Different types of abuse could be color-coded e.g. Narcissistic Abuse - Green; Physical Abuse: Purple; etc. Books can have multiple colored covers.
3. There may be a small fee to cover material costs and postage - this will be determined (I am also looking into sponsorship opportunities or applying for a grant to cover costs).
4. The books would form part of a growing library of Domestic Abuse. The library brings their secret stories to light and shines a light on the wider topic.. The library would also form part of an exhibition at Coastal Contemporary Gallery, in Newport, Rhode Island in the USA.
N.B. This is a significant undertaking and privacy is an important consideration. A contract therefore would be drawn up detailing usage parameters, and each book that is returned will also be logged into a catalogue for tracking, and matched with it's author, should the books need be returned after the exhibition. However, I would hope to take the exhibition on tour to other venues such as galleries, libraries, non-profit organization or museums, with the hope that the library might become part of one organization's permanent collection.
The Exhibition:
The library would form the main part of the exhibition - I Could Write A Book, in collaboration with Coastal Contemporary Gallery in Newport Rhode Island. A tentative timeframe would be Fall of 2021.
The exhibition may consist of a wide program with multiple elements: Each element could speak to one specific aspect of domestic abuse or be broader and more flexible in scope.
Possible elements of a program might be:
1. A library of Domestic Abuse Books - In Their Own Words - Women’s Stories of Healing - written in their own words.
2. Artist Books - A series of artists books made by me, tackling an aspect of abuse in a creative and visual way.
3. Gallery Visitor Participation - Visitors would also have the opportunity to contribute by taking home blank notebooks to be write their story and returned to me.. These would be added to a growing library documenting abuse. An opportunity could also be made available online to request a book. Online participation also reaches a wider audience.
4. A Bound Book - Restraining orders filed by the women.
5. Portraits of Women - Printmaking, photography or art
6. A Multimedia Room - Video display of scrolling text messages from abusers (anonymous).
7. Audio Recording - A narration stating the facts and statistics of domestic abuse nationally and globally. or a rolling stream of text listing statistics.
8. Speaking Opportunity - Women could also be given the opportunity to speak at an event or be recorded narrating their story.
9. A Call for Art - A juried element of the exhibition, inviting artists to create art or books on the topic of Domestic Abuse.
10. Digital Resource - Domestic Abuse help groups and organizations. These would also have an opportunity to sponsor the project and garner greater awareness.
11. Workshop - Women may have the opportunity of being more involved in the whole process by making their own artist books from a simple template, supplies list and an accompanying video on making the book. This could be a therapeutic part of the process. of healing.
Images below show an Installation mock up of the library in a gallery along with examples of possible notebook designs
Domestic Abuse Stastic: Most female victims of intimate partner violence were previously victimized by the same offender at rates of 77% for women ages 18 to 24, 76% for ages 25 to 34, and 81% for ages 35 to 49.
I Could Write A Book
Artist books that address an aspect of domestic abuse.
Little Black Book
The Secrets We Keep
I’ve been drawn to writing and bookmaking recently and I'm making connections. Perhaps metaphors for healing from a failed marriage. A quietly meditative process of repetitive stitching. Finding ways to use old materials by deconstructing and reimagining them. This project used an old pleather handbag. Creating a protective cover, a home for a pencil, an attractive wraparound closure to tie the knot and leftover printmaking paper to write our secrets.
This zigzag book is based on a binding style template. The cover is made from an old deconstructed pleather bag, and the tie is the old handle strap. I patiently unpicked the stitching and replaced it with a running stitch in the original holes, using the teal waxed hemp thread I used for the spine binding. The strap is attached to the back flap with a zigzag but sturdy stitch. I slit a loop in the cover flap to hold a writing utensil. I used leftover Hahnemühle handmade printmaking paper for the signatures. This new book is 6x8 inches.
Seems like it's no coincidence I'm making these out of bags. e.g. baggage we carry around. Stitch by stitch, we refashion what we have left, tell our story, and rebuild a new life.
Domestic Abuse Statistic: Women ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence.
I’ve been drawn to writing and bookmaking recently and I'm making connections. Perhaps metaphors for healing from a failed marriage. A quietly meditative process of repetitive stitching. Finding ways to use old materials by deconstructing and reimagining them. This project used an old pleather handbag. Creating a protective cover, a home for a pencil, an attractive wraparound closure to tie the knot and leftover printmaking paper to write our secrets.
This zigzag book is based on a binding style template. The cover is made from an old deconstructed pleather bag, and the tie is the old handle strap. I patiently unpicked the stitching and replaced it with a running stitch in the original holes, using the teal waxed hemp thread I used for the spine binding. The strap is attached to the back flap with a zigzag but sturdy stitch. I slit a loop in the cover flap to hold a writing utensil. I used leftover Hahnemühle handmade printmaking paper for the signatures. This new book is 6x8 inches.
Seems like it's no coincidence I'm making these out of bags. e.g. baggage we carry around. Stitch by stitch, we refashion what we have left, tell our story, and rebuild a new life.
Domestic Abuse Statistic: Women ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence.
Click image to view slideshow
Black and Blue Books
Physical Abuse
A Pair of leather-bound books made from repurposed pleather handbags. The Black book contains dark purple, vivid pink and orange inner section pages separating each group (signature) of blank writing pages. The Blue (grey) book’s section pages are more muted colors: pink, blue/green, and dirty yellow. These colors represent the colors of bruising at its peak and as it heals. On the back covers, I re-stitched the magnet closures from the original bag, allowing each book to be attached to the other. Representing permanent welts/lumps in the book. Both books have been bound with corresponding rainbow blended thread that could speak to burst blood vessels. I have also restitched some areas of the leather where original stitching had been.
Domestic Abuse Statistic: An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year
A Pair of leather-bound books made from repurposed pleather handbags. The Black book contains dark purple, vivid pink and orange inner section pages separating each group (signature) of blank writing pages. The Blue (grey) book’s section pages are more muted colors: pink, blue/green, and dirty yellow. These colors represent the colors of bruising at its peak and as it heals. On the back covers, I re-stitched the magnet closures from the original bag, allowing each book to be attached to the other. Representing permanent welts/lumps in the book. Both books have been bound with corresponding rainbow blended thread that could speak to burst blood vessels. I have also restitched some areas of the leather where original stitching had been.
Domestic Abuse Statistic: An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year
Click image to view slideshow
Wound Book
Abuse with a firearm
A gunshot wound was the inspiration for this book. The cover (skin of the book) is made from handmade Hahnemuhle printmaking paper. The edges and surface of the paper have been distressed representing damaged and torn flesh. The circle represents the entry wound of the bullet. The spine is bound using waxed black linen thread / stitches. Extra thread is wrapped around the book and the stitching needle is included. as a closure. There are 8 signatures, which include half signature covers made from a decorative red paper with flecks of gold leaf symbolizing blood and gun shrapnel. The next layer is a semitransparent thin parchment symbolic of fascia or layers of cell tissue. The first parchment page contains a splatter design from remnants of the red cover paper. The writing pages are Strathmore 8Olb drawing paper.
Domestic Abuse statistic: Every month, an average of 53 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner.
A gunshot wound was the inspiration for this book. The cover (skin of the book) is made from handmade Hahnemuhle printmaking paper. The edges and surface of the paper have been distressed representing damaged and torn flesh. The circle represents the entry wound of the bullet. The spine is bound using waxed black linen thread / stitches. Extra thread is wrapped around the book and the stitching needle is included. as a closure. There are 8 signatures, which include half signature covers made from a decorative red paper with flecks of gold leaf symbolizing blood and gun shrapnel. The next layer is a semitransparent thin parchment symbolic of fascia or layers of cell tissue. The first parchment page contains a splatter design from remnants of the red cover paper. The writing pages are Strathmore 8Olb drawing paper.
Domestic Abuse statistic: Every month, an average of 53 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner.
Click image to view slideshow
Video showing internal pages
Many Ways to Say I love You Book
Verbal abuse
I'm using an expression of affection, that can easily turn into verbal abusive. I plan to incorporate reflective rose gold paper on the inside cover so the reader sees their reflection. I want the book to have the feel of wedding invitations with a feminine and delicate vibe , by using foil, pastels, gold, a variety of paper and my homemade decorative papers. Each section cover has two sleeves - 1st sleeve contains part one of the loving phrase, with the abusive word or words on the 2nd sleeve. The juxtaposition of both phrase and words sends mixed messages and disarms the reader.
Domestic Abuse Statistic: Almost half of all women and men in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively).
Domestic Abuse Statistic: Almost half of all women and men in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively).
Click image to view slideshow
Other Books - The beginning
5 day Journal Challenge
First two books done. Made a mistake on the covers of the larger book, punched two extra holes! so added thread to make it look intentional lol ;-). also used a rainbow thread for the small book. I decided to keep them without a closure. So loved playing with paper and thread combos on different sized books! Think my multicolored book is my favorite. I used a variety of thread options with and without waxing by hand. I used a small beeswax candle to wax the thread lol. One last book finished. 12x6 and probably my fav. I added a page saver thread with a button on the end.
Leather Pamphlet Book
Im really enjoying findig creative way of usuing what I have to make these books. For this one I deconstructed an old pleather bag, and used drawing paper signatures. A test book really. I did make a mistake and trimmed off the extra thread instead of wrapping it around the book, I added three new strands to the spine and tied three knots at the other end for a little detail. Not bad for a dry run and quick did it in 1 1/2hrs
