Luring the Muse

My sister saw me doodling the other day on a piece of paper and asked me, raising an eyebrow: "Teo, what are you doing, are you working with non lucrative purposes?" :) I told her "But of course, I'm playing!" It's something I deeply appreciate in my life, it stimulates my creativity and it keeps me sane in stressful situations. And sometimes, when the outcome is not that bad, I release it into the world (wide web) for like-minded people to see it.

Here's a project I'm playing with in my free time - first with the ideas, then with the text and the drawings, later on with the book concept and design... hum, who knows when it will come to its completion, but it doesn't matter. It's set aside for the days I need an inspiration boost, as creativity is always powered by fun, games, doing something different. You know... muses don't just drop by if you sit and wait, they have to find you playing!

My version of Pablo Neruda's "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair", during the making

 

Being on vacation I have time to work at a comfortable pace and take care of some ideas I've been having for quite some time. Here are some pics of a series of three books with miniature paintings on the front cover. I really enjoy to spend time working on tiny details like these.

It wasn't easy to let them go but it makes me happy that they're in the best hands

and I know they will be treasured.

 

A few details during the making

    

Two in One! Bookbinding Press

  

I got this beauty last summer in Romania from Mihai, a bookbinder friend. Being away until now, I haven't had the chance to properly test it, but the last few days I did so and I have to say that I love it! It combines two essential pieces of equipment for bookbinding, the lying press and the standing press. It also comes with two boards with beveled edges which makes it good for backing.

This type of press, the jobbacker, is usually made of iron which makes it a heavy equipment, but mine is made of wood and is quite light (for which I could bring it in my apartment). I confess at first I was a bit concerned about its stability but it actually proved to be very well made and perfectly stable even when filled at maximum capacity in vertical position. Hooray for Mr. Adrian Ghetea who made it for me. I'm very happy with it and grateful to Mihai for hooking me up with it.

For the locals who might be fancying one of their own, please check Mihai's blog because a similar press is still available for sale.

And while at it, please don't forget to check out Mihai's work, it's impressive!

http://artacartii.blogspot.com

 

 

2014 Blog Revival!

After a long year of silence I have decided to revive this blog. Inspite abandoning it I have continued to receive positive feedback on its content and I realized that people actually read it and find it useful. There are so many interesting things going on and I really look forward to sharing them with you. So here's to a great 2014 and Happy New Year to you all!

 

 

Gold and Silver Touches

Two books I recently finished. I indulge myself from time to time in the use of metal fittings. What a delight... a touch of old, a touch of silver or of gold.