Sensual Bark

An artist's book featuring photographic images of bark on tree trunks. Six of these images are presented twice--once with simple line drawings added to emphasize implicit suggestions of the human female form, and once without. Another bark image lacks a line drawing but has a sheet of vellum tipped over it, inviting the reader to add her or his own drawing. Also included are reproductions of a sketch by Alexander Calder and another by Karen Spears, both on vellum sheets tipped in. The title page is also on vellum. Sewn into a paper wrapper printed with photographic images of bark, with a real strip of bark for a spine. Issued in a matching paper slipcase.

"Archival ink jet prints on watercolor paper with charcoal drawings"--Vamp & Tramp Booksellers website, viewed Feb. 10, 2014.

"I don't remember exactly when I started taking a serious look at bark; perhaps when I was walking the dog on a bleak winter day, or maybe when I was helping my husband split firewood. I do know that I was taken by how rich and sensual the forms and textures of bark are. My photographic study began to accentuate these attributes. By adding a figurative drawing to the photograph my intent was to further illustrate these forms. I wanted to make a simple line similar to Alexander Calder's marvelous drawings. My good friend and excellent figure drawer, Karen Spears, helped me locate the figure within the photograph and I soon learned that Calder only made it look simple. In this book of bark I've assembled some of my favorite views. It is amazing how many different interpretations of the figure can be found within the bark"--Artist's statement from Vamp & Tramp Booksellers website, viewed Feb. 10, 2014.