I took my first traditional book binding class in hopes of finding the answer. And I did. The answer was I needed to study paper engineering. So I did. Along this journey I thought more about the potential of the book as an art form.
Books have the inherent ability to contain multiple layers of sequential and narrative information.
You have the ability to reinforce your concept through the selective use of image, text, type, paper, page, structure, and binding. Each element informs the others. When I decided to return to school to earn my MFA, I sought out a program that would expand my knowledge of artists' books. That turned out to be Syracuse University where I worked with Don Cortese in the book arts program he had developed in the printmaking department. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have studied different phases of book arts with Keith Smith, Barbara Mauriello, Ruth Lingen, Daniel Kelm, Carol Barton, Shanna Linn, Hedi Kyle, and computer graphics with William Hubschmitt.