A Book on Bookmaking


Last year, before moving to Japan, I was invited to contribute to a new publication by Charlotte Rivers & Esther K.Smith titled 'The little book of bookmaking'. Some of my artist's publications are featured within the pages on 'Folded bindings' along with a description of some techniques I employ in making the editions. The book is published this month and is well worth a read. You can find more details here.




Special Commissions







Since the beginning of the year I have been working on several special commissions for a number of artists. The satisfaction of collaborating on a design solution that works both functionally and conceptually has been a valued addition to my process of making.  Recently completed commissions for Artist Mishka Henner include an edition of portfolio boxes made for his photographic series 'Eighteen Pumpjacks'. Each one was handmade using millboard covered in heritage library buckram,  each foredge inlaid with 16 tiny magnets, achieving a very satisfying closure and mobility. 

Inspiring Commissions





Punctuating the days between making, are the days working with inspiring artists on bespoke commissions. This Spring several clients have invited me to work on specialist projects or pieces needing a little something extra. It's been a privilege to have been involved in some meditative making with beautiful results. From week long box making commissions to day long private tuition, my days here in the studio are heaven. 

Letterpress Film


The lovely ladies at The Shop Floor made this cracking little film of me demonstrating the wondrous Adana Letterpress in Cumbria last month during their 'meet the maker' event. The new special edition of Cumbrian Sayings postcards exclusively for The Shop Floor was launched while locals had a go at pulling their own 'Reet Chuft' letterpress print. Pop over to their beautiful online store to see more. Thanks to the lovely Sam for making the film x



BATTENBURG PRESS at BABE Arnol Fini




BABE Bristol Artists Book Event at the Arnol Fini Gallery 20th & 21st APRIL 201 BATTENBURG PRESS will be exhibiting brand new hotoffthepress editions! 

 Wowwee, come and see us and if the mood takes you contribute to… 

 ‘Missing Letters’ Mono Printing Project Sunday 21 April, 2pm, Free Meeting Room ‘Celebrating the launch of her new artist’s book Lucy May Schofield invites visitors to BABE to create a simple one or two word contribution using the name of a person, place, object or feeling that they miss. Inspired by the ‘triangular letters’ Russian soldiers wrote home during WWII these secret longings will form a collection of anonymous nostalgia notes by the close of the book fair.’

Anatomy Paper Commission Complete














Late last year I collaborated once again with photographers David Penny & Gavin Parry of Anatomy Projects on their redesigned newsprint version of the original Anatomy Of An Institution book, which I consulted on and made  a bespoke edition for them in 2011. This new edition is presented in a variety of metallic foiled covers on 6 different GF Smith Colorplan papers. Inner pages are litho'd full colour onto high quality uncoated newsprint, held within their covers by a black rubber band. It documents a visual collection of Manchester Metropolitan University staff past and present, all photographed with an authentic Victorian era camera found at he University. It is a numbered editon of x1000, designed by the talented Graham Jones of Loose Collective and painstakingly hand-finished by me, available to buy on the Anatomy Projects site. 

News for you in 2013


New Courses have been announced at Hot Bed Press to begin the year creatively.
I will be running three courses this term including 'Clamshell Presentation Boxes', 'Typewriter Art' and 'Book making for Artists Level 1', so have a peek over here at what's coming up.



The Lovely Simon Goode at the groundbreaking London Center for Book Arts (LCBA) was featured in the Guardian yesterday, along with an image of my book Roadkill. I have been asked to deliver an exciting new workshop in early February at the center, with details soon to follow.


I also have a couple of outings planned for BABL in the coming months, so do keep your eyes peeled for that beautiful beast of a van, Dolores, meandering through the countryside. 




Othello / Anatomy Commissions







I've been lucky enough to be involved in some delicious projects this Summer which have kept the wolf from the door and the candle burning at both ends. Borbonesa's new publication Othello - A Bestiary with floral additions is a fine edition of screen printed illustrations concertina bound between hard covers adorned with a red foil blocked strawberry. They asked me to help make the 250 covers needed for the launch, which was a pure pleasure. After working on a bespoke box for the Anatomy Project prints, I created an edition of 5 large books. Such satisfying work.

Anatomy Projects




Opening this Thursday 25th November at the Holden Gallery Manchester is the 'Anatomy of an Institution Project'. A stunning collection of photographic prints & stills portraiture of some of the people who make up the anatomy of the Manchester Metropolitan University. I have made a bespoke clamshell portfolio box to house a collection of the prints by Gavin Parry & Dave Penny.