Book Arts – Page 5 – Jo Howe-Artist

There is wisdom everywhere…

Posted on October 9, 2013October 22, 2013 by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Experimentation

I believe in a wisdom in what we do, how we behave and what choices we make on a sub conscious level and yet, so often, that wisdom’s clarity eludes us.

Occasionally, it slaps us right in the face!

Sometimes, we can gain a greater understanding on reflection, when you are not swamped with less useful brain activity… but sometimes, not.

Sometimes, we create in what appears a void, and yet, we cannot exclude ourselves from the process.

And that process… well, we just have to trust in it, no matter how scary that can be.

Sometimes we just have to trust in the process, else would we ever start out on the journey in the first place?

Some random musings for some rather random, if not slightly intriguing work.

A little serendipitous photography

Posted on October 5, 2013October 22, 2013 by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Experimentation

Isn’t it strange … if we can just respond to impulse without question … what may be the outcome? Not to stop and question, but just do. You may end up with nothing exciting at all or It may sing to you in joyful voice or perhaps, make you groan inwardly. Whatever the outcomes are (and many of mine are languishing at the depths of the rubbish bin) there may be some that you want to capture for examination and enquiry… these are a couple of those moments.

Quite fascinating the choice of angle for the photography…. I didn’t read the text on the pieces until I looked carefully at the photographs…

Amazing!

I think I need to let go a little more often!

Further experimentation – Variations of surface intensity

Posted on September 19, 2013October 22, 2013 by Jo Howe in Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Experimentation

From the core, an eruption of significant emotional magnitude penetrates the outer shell.

The outpouring is chaotic yet strangely structured, but always hard to predict.

The waves of internal detritus and debris are powerful and all consuming.

Those close enough to witness this explosion are never unaffected.

All ground beneath us shifts, cracks and dissolves the solidity that holds one upright.

The vibrations are felt for hours afterwards, slowly but surely their magnitude dissipates until, eventually, all is still.

This stillness, an uncomfortable calm, both quiet and loud in its silence.

Eventually a soft noise breaks into one’s consciousness, like a chink of light cutting through the rock that veils the valley floor, illuminating our path.

The reality of one’s very existence? Perhaps the way forward?

Sometimes it’s the simplest of forms that resonate.

Posted on September 16, 2013October 22, 2013 by Jo Howe in Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Experimentation

Variations of surface intensity – work in progress

Gallery update!

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture

The gallery has been updated!

Yes, I know… it’s about blooming time.

🙂

Pages turned in Norwich – a review of Turn the Page 2013

Posted on May 7, 2013May 7, 2013 by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Exhibiting, What inspires me is...

Well, what a great time in Norwich, and what a great place.

I Bait Tit Tat

Untitled

I Bait Tit Tat

A delicate subject

Jo Howe book sculpture can-you-hear-me-now

Can you hear me now? – Photography by Roger Dorey

Internal dialogue

I-Baii-Tit-Tat

I have returned from my Turn the Page experience, a book artists heaven. On offer, a plethora of amazing books in all their glorious forms for reading, viewing, engaging and interacting as well as poetry readings, storytelling and demonstrations.

I felt really privileged to have been selected to show here in the Forum, in the heart of Norwich, alongside such talented creatives.

This was the first time I had ever contemplated an art fair. It was a really useful experience, remaining connected to the work, rather than just dropping off and collecting it after an exhibition. I found it fascinating discussing my work with visitors, sometimes finding I was justifying the works existence, sometimes just delighting in the visitors engagement and reading of what was on offer. All interactions I found so useful for so many different reasons.

I was supremely humbled by one particular visitors response to one of my pieces, Internal Dialogue. Moved almost to tears, his engagement and reading of the work reminded me that art can result in pure unexpected emotions for the receiver. I have always believed in what I produce and if I didn’t, then for me it would not be worth doing at all.

I was also so fortunate to meet some really talented artists and delight in their work. Particular highlights for me were, Theresa Easton, Emma Lloyd, Nicola Dale, Jen Fox, Kate Marsden, Catherine Laura Ward and Lucy Baxandall.

Feel inspired… try this, the Summer Reads Book Art Competition

Look out for Turn the Page 2014… I feel sure it will again be an event not to be missed!

Jo Howe Exhibiting at ‘Turn the Page Artists Book Fair’ in Norwich 3rd and 4th May

Posted on April 29, 2013April 29, 2013 by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture, Exhibiting

Very excited to be part of this event. Looks like it will be a great couple of days! So, If you are near Norwich come on in and say hi.

Serendipitous cock ups!

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Jo Howe in Book Arts, Sketchbook

I have been rather fortunate in that my scalpel rarely strays from the intended path. Yet of course occasionally it wanders, slicing as it goes (fortunately all skin is intact!). This latest deviation from the path was really quite delightful. Ok, so let’s be honest here. That wasn’t my first thought. I am just being polite not to share the first word that popped into my head at the time, especially, as is so often the case, when you are nearing the end of a piece, this tends to happen. But yes, serendipitously delightful. The section that I originally wanted to retain in the work and now forcibly abandoned happened to be the words ‘Wisdom and life’.

I’m sure there is a lesson in this somewhere!

Serendipitous error Jo Howe book art artist — Serendipitous error

Let the scalpel to the book page and let it run!

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Jo Howe in Book Arts, Book Sculpture

I am so excited about the new work I’m currently producing. It takes me back to one of my first encounters with ‘a different type of book’ or ‘a whole new reading experience’. That experience was my first encounter with the tome A Humument by the incredibly talented and renowned artist, Tom Phillips. You just have to check out his drawings amongst other delights, quite sublime!

So, I noticed my continuation of doodling with a scalpel, a method that allows me to draw without my usual anxiety of ‘not being able to draw’. The outcomes are often abstract, graphical and full of expression. I will of course post examples of these soon. For some reason, I am not quite ready to share these just yet?

Well, the scalpel did just run, and this process I began to apply to my books. I noticed how easy I journeyed from one part of the page to another, realising that this was enabling me to be a little less concerned about the context of the work and more interested in the process.

The other joy, is that now I am keen as mustard to be in the studio, no matter how cold and quiet it is!

Bring on the books!

Streams-of-consciousness-01 Jo Howe Book Arts Book Sculpture artist — Streams of consciousness

I-Baii-Tit-Tat-T Jo Howe Book Arts Book Sculpture artist — I Bait Tit Tat – T

Finally moving forward (or wading out of treacle!)

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Jo Howe in Artist Book, Book Arts, Book Sculpture

It really has been a ridiculous length of time since I posted sharing new happenings. Gosh, the old seasonal break and other such distractions really took their toll.

Now, leaving that parked, exciting news… I have been accepted to show at Turn the Page 2013 in Norwich 3rd and 4th May. Very excited about being part of what I understand to be a really great event.

Rather deliciously, this has helped stimulate an ongoing period of flow, that I am certainly riding till the last wave crashes.

I have continued with my first ever artist book, now all the separate works photographed by the ever talented Roger Dorey ready for the next stage of production (ok, so not clarifying the approach, because of course, way too much experimental options popping up for me to define a final solution just yet).

Sincerity book page artist book book sculpture Jo Howe — Sincerity pg1
Photography – Roger Dorey

Rather wonderfully, this process has also led me onto more experimentation, linking this recent ‘artist book’, my doodles, that most definitely keep me sane and a re-acquaintance with perhaps my original book art inspiration Tom Phillips A Humument

Of course, I’ll be sharing some samples as that particular work grows, but at present, it is most definitely at the coveted nurturing stage!

And finally, I have just been appointed as a Director at Digswell Arts Trust, where I was fortunate enough to have a fellowship until quite recently. I am very excited about the way the Trust is evolving and feel completely honoured to have been asked to continue to be part of this great local organisation.

Exciting times!