Making a donation

The Fantastic Creatures Big Draw Colchester 2011 event team very kindly agreed to give not only their time, effort and innovative ideas for free - but also to donate the monies raised in the raffle to the Colchester based organisation Level Best Art Cafe.

I was kindly invited to the Launch the Robin event and handed over the donation under a flurry of 'snow' and surrounded by Level Best visitors who took pictures and had made a lovely and large 'Thank You' card to give to the Big Draw team.

Many thanks to the Level Best team and visitors for the warm welcome and fun afternoon - with a welcome warm coffee on such a cold day!

Thanks also to jjdoyle for accompanying me and taking photos of the event.

And of course, thanks once again to my event team :-)

Here's to the Big Draw 2012 - look out for us in October........

Bookbinding I group - Hello!

This post is intended for my Bookbinding I workshop participants - but will be useful to anyone with a passion for finding out more about the wonderful world of Book Arts!

 

Here are some interesting links....

For bookbinding supplies visit http://www.hewit.com/

 

For luxury papers visit http://www.johnpurcell.net/

To view and read about amazing artists' books browse or visit the V&A at http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/a/artists-books/

Discover the book arts bookshop near Old Street tube http://www.bookartbookshop.com/docs/contents.htm

Read the Book Arts Newsletters past and present here http://www.bookarts.uwe.ac.uk/banlists.htm

and check out the book arts books in Colchester Library...

Congratulations on your amazing hand bound books :-)

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Wonderful bookbinding day!

I have just returned from a wonderful day spent teaching my Bookbinding I day workshop to a lovely group in Colchester's artists' hub Fifteen Queen Street.

The participants were from a variety of backgrounds and with diverse motivations and everyone worked so intensively for the duration of the workshop...and more!

I love the fact that a project can be a based around a relatively uniform design, which each person then takes and makes their 'own'. 

I took a few shots but was mostly involved in talking, teaching and thinking book arts and bookbinding!

Thank you to all my participants - enjoy your books :-)

I'll post here first about my forthcoming workshops...

Painting in the new year....

Inspired bythe intriguing and moving works of Elsa Mora, Camilla Engman, Frida Kahlo and by world folk art, I am embarking upon a journey of discovery and painting in 2012....

by Elsa Mora

by Camilla Engman

by Frida Kahlo

This is very exciting and I expect to encounter many surprises along the way - the mind and the body left at liberty to work together always lead to surprises...

Wish me luck!

Bookbinding I: Sold out! Now booking Bookbinding II...

Bookbinding Part I:  Notebook, journal, diary - you decide!

LAST TWO PLACES - BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! 
SOLD OUT! - Now booking BOOKBINDING II - e-mail Mary for details....

A creative workshop with Mary Pullen | Between the Leaves

To book a place please contact 

Mary Pullen at mary.pullen@yahoo.co.uk or call 07941 594 888

Venue:  Fifteen Queen Street, Colchester, CO1 2PH
Date:    Saturday 21st January 2012
Time:   10am - 4pm
Price:   £50 per person + £5 (materials fee) (payment in advance)

Create your own hand-bound, hardback book to treasure or give as a gift and embark upon a journey into the wonderful world of book arts & crafts with book artist Mary Pullen.

Trained in bookbinding at the London College of Communication (formerly London College of Printing) Mary is on a mission to pass on her knowledge of this fabulous craft skill to one and all.

In this workshop you will learn to manipulate paper, create a multi-section text block using a traditional hand-stitched French binding technique, and make a hard cover to case in your book.

This workshop is suitable for beginners and is open to adults over the age of 18 (and children over the age of 11 accompanied by an adult).

The use of specialist tools, all materials and light refreshments are included.

Places are limited to maximise the quality of tutor input to each individual participant.

To book a place please contact 
Mary Pullen at mary.pullen@yahoo.co.uk or call 07941 594 888

Cancellations made eight or more days before the beginning of a workshop will receive a full refund minus a £5 administration charge. Cancellations within the week prior to the workshop (excluding the day of class) will receive a 50% refund minus a £5 administration charge. No refunds are possible on the day of the workshop or for no-shows. In the event that Mary Pullen cancels a workshop, students will receive a full refund. Cheque refunds generally take 4-6 weeks.

Happy Weekend :-)

Dear Readers,

I hope you have or are having a lovely weekend - take a break at some point and think of ten positive thoughts to fill your mind with happiness and a sense of peacefulness.

Buttonbod by Mary Pullen

Illustration Friday: Grounded

As my mind turns to creating folk tales and new worlds, I have been inspired to create an illustration depicting a moment in a tale-to-be....

In response to the Illustration Friday brief word this week 'grounded', I have just created this illustration entitled 'Grounded'

Grounded by Mary Pullen © 2012

 

  

 I have been intrigued and suprised as in creating my draft illustration the snapped rope looked unnatural - but by drawing the rope as rope is made, with twisted materials, the slack appearance became life-like.  It seems that physics and illustration are intertwined!

Last few places.....

Only a few places left on my January Bookbinding I day workshop so book now to avoid disappointment! 

Click here for workshop and booking details

'tis the time of year to read fantasy fiction by the fire

'Tis the time of year to read fantasy fiction by the fireside - The Hobbit, Ghormenghast, Lord of the Rings, and so on....

Smaug by Mary Pullen

Sumi Ink Club

I had such great fun at the 15 Queen Street Sumi Ink Club run by illustrator Rob Lock at 15 Queen Street, Colchester in December.

We spent the evening painting all over the walls using special sumi ink from Japan and created a fabulous and very random (!) freize.  The collaborative element of the activity is excellent - I love watching my images become 'other' through additions from fellow illustrators - and adding to their drawings to create a new design!

The Sumi Ink Club has become an international phenomena and well worth seeking out in your area - or setting up a club yourself!

More great pics of the event here

I look forward to the next Sumi Ink Club meet up....

Illustration Friday: Highlight

In my quest to diminish time spent on the computer and increase time spent making, I chose to create my current response to the Illustration Friday theme Highlight using paper cut technique. 

Here's to A LOT more making in 2012.

This image also serves as a light to guide you safely into the New Year!