I hate to admit that I am essentially stuck in the 1980s when I saw my first artists’ books at Printed Matter below Canal Street in Manhattan. It was thought that artists’ books might become an inexpensive way to make art more accessible. Although most of my books don’t end up being inexpensive, my intention for my books is that they be produced inexpensively.

Each of my books has had its’ own process to which I have had to conform. As much as I try to control that process, the Transforming Hate book taught me, as no previous book had, that I am the book’s servant not its’ master. I ended up feeling like I had been recruited to come along for the ride.

Below begins sketches of the project’s beginning:

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I have thought of making additional versions of The Proposal. However, it’s too easy for me to get lost in the process of doing makeovers, so I will wait until work with the publisher begins.

Meanwhile in trying to paint a picture of what I envision for the Transforming Hate Project, I have expanded the project to include working collaboratively with “at risk” teenagers.

I did a bookmaking workshop with English teacher, Alice Owens and artist and poet, Kim Purser. When we were introduced to the students, they made it clear that they had no interest in making books.

However, at the end of 10 weeks, they proudly presented and discussed their books and their working process with visitors. The transformation that took place in their perception of themselves and in the way that others saw them made me realize how important it is to include working with young people, especially those who are having difficulty finding a direction.

To make a tax-deductible donation visit the link: Artspire Fundraising Page

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The Proposal

Radius Books, a non-profit art book publisher, selected The Proposal from hundreds of submissions as one of 16 confirmed for publication in 2013. As of today, the publication date has been moved to 2014. As you know, publishing has changed and with your help I will raise $25,000 towards the production of a high quality hardback book.

I am often asked, “Why do you have to raise so much money in order to have Radius Press publish the book? Is it your book or will it be their book? Won’t the copyright belong to them?” These are good questions.

When I say that the Press does beautiful books, a common response is that I can get a beautiful book published in Italy or China for less money. The Radius Press team, however, can give me feedback and a distributor that most of us, as individual artists, don’t have access to. Having already self-published Wrongly Bodied, I saw that I am not very good at marketing.

To make a tax-deductible donation visit the link: Artspire Fundraising Page

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