WELCOME TO OUR BLOG



Dear Friends, Students, Faculty Members and lovers of books,

This is Deb Stevens. I am the administrative director for the American Academy of Bookbinding based out of Telluride, Colorado. This blog was started as a way for all of us, those who have studied at AAB, friends of AAB, as well as those who want to find out more about this place, can keep in touch with each other during the year. I'll be posting all kinds of photos, news and updates as regularly as possible (or newsworthy). I hope you will also share any bookbinding thoughts, questions, revelations, etc. Send me your photos and let us all know what you're up to. Keep connected!



Sunday, March 27, 2011

AH HAA STAFF BOOKBINDING DAY!

From L-R: Laura, Judy, Kathleen, Daniel, Lauren, Kate
Rachel couldn't make it and Deb prefers being behind the camera!

On Thursday the 17th, the staff at Ah Haa took a little mini retreat to the bookbinding studio to get a taste of what this bookbinding business was about. Call it continuing education to improve one's knowledge of what it is they're supporting/promoting. Call it a good, happy time. Everyone had fun learning a couple simple book forms and going away with two to four books for show and tell. Judy used papers she made herself and the rest of us relied on Daniel's inventory that he brought along. All were unique and personal. Laura, a very meticulous sort, produced a couple lovely and precise little books and claimed her comfort level to be higher in making books than in painting a self portrait. Kate branched out in three dimensions and accents on her second book with a miniature book on the cover. Lauren did some cut-outs as a decorative element and Kathleen made books specifically to hold photos and tickets.

 
Judy with her wonderful paper she made


Laura checking her edges


Kate at play


Kathleen showing off her ticket book


Lauren cradling her 'babies'

Posted by Deb at 4:27 PM

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

SIALIA RIEKE AWARDED HILBRANDT

Fine Binding Diploma aspirant from Santa Fe, Sialia Reike, is thrilled to be selected the recipient of the Hilbrandt Scholarship this year! Sialia had applied last year but was not selected, so she is especially grateful to be the winner this year. This year's field of applicants were all very qualified, submitting fine examples of their work representing a broad range of distinctiveness and creativity. Sialia will use her scholarship award to participate in Monique Lallier's Intermediate/Advanced Fine Binding class here in Telluride in October.


The Roberta Hilbrandt Scholarship was created by her husband, Bill Hilbrandt, in recognition of Roberta's love of the book arts and her love of lifelong learning. A former student at AAB, Roberta lost her courageous battle with cancer in 2009. She was a dear friend and enthusiastic student. Numerous fellow students, friends and acquaintances have contributed generously to the fund which supports the growth and education of one career minded student per year.

Roberta Hilbrandt


Congratulations Sialia! We look forward to witnessing your progress as you work toward your goal. Please enjoy viewing her work below!











Posted by Deb at 4:28 PM




 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A WEEK WITH MONIQUE THE BEST!

I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Monique Lallier, but the responses from her students in San Francisco indicate that I'd better roll out the red carpet when she comes to Telluride in the Fall. The best thing for me to do for this blog entry is to let an enthusiastic student (and some of Monique's photos) tell the story.


"There are masters, but Madame Lallier is a master's master, her command of her materials and her refined skills are so easily communicated that for one minute, o' so briefly, one imagines being her and bathing in her light.  But then, she says something very softly to give us a tip on how to improve a gesture or a way of doing something.  This course was a delight and the tips alone were well worth the price of admission.  Unfortunately, the week ended, too soon.  I went back to my studio with a smile and a promise to improve every day and be ready for my next week with Madame..."  - Momo

  Sabina's book with strips of magazine paper and tissue paper over cloth new oriental binding.


  Beth's book with strips of tissue paper…very interesting.






 
Monique Racine's book.


 Signa with her book. She made the papers in the class.

 


  Sabina's second book with paper she made in class.


  Ellen's book with magazine paper and leather over cloth binding.


We do not yet have photos of everyone's book but will happily post them when available!

Posted by Deb at 12:17 PM