GUEST ARTIST: ERICA SIMPSON

I recently interviewed Erica via email to ask her about her wonderful hand bound journals made from rescued old books, record covers and beer boxes.  Here is what she had to say:

 

 How and when did you become interested in book binding?

I have always been a lover of art, but was never the most artistic person out there. My college had an Arts and Crafts department, and on a whim I signed up for bookbinding my freshman year. It was taught by an incredibly talented Studio Art major and I ended up being the only person in the class. I was surprised by how well the medium suited me. The girl who taught it and I would discuss different materials that could be used as book covers. After she graduated, I took over as the teacher of the course for the remainder of my college years. I loved making books for people in my life. Most of my friends and family, and everyone I have ever dated has been given these as a gift over the years.                                                                                                                    

In addition to the book binding course, I was an Art History minor to accompany my Literature major, and in the process took a few drawing courses. As a young kid, I was a precocious aesthete, spending hours on a family vacation to Europe as an 8 year old glued to the Monet’s, Picasso’s, and Van Gough’s in the museums as my sister was consumed with boredom. But I have never been much of an artist myself, just an admirer of those who posses the talents.

Have you always worked with recycled materials?

I have always striven to use all recycled materials in my books. The paper I use is recycled Canson sketch paper as well.


What qualities do you think recycled materials bring to your journals?

As I mentioned, I majored in Literature, and long before I started creating blank journals out of old book covers I was perusing the books section of thrift shops and spending hours in used book stores. I would find my self getting lost in the stacks of books, amongst the pages, looking for hidden gems, and in awe of the vastness of human creation. I love the smell of an old book, and the care and craftsmanship that went into creating images both on the covers and pages within. I love stories and would get wrapped up in the stories the authors had created and the stories left behind by the people who had handled the books. The notes to the recipient of a gift, the underlines, highlights, and marginal comments, the bookmarks, recipes, pictures, and postcards that would tumble from the pages, long forgotten. It was archeology, and I loved collecting.

 In this world where everything is digital and we are so quick to consume and move on, the art of journaling and sketching is falling to the wayside, as is the love we have for books. Why buy a book when you can load thousands onto your kindle? Why journal when you can blog? In combining old books and creating a new space for the written word, I am hoping to retain some of that which we are beginning to lose.

I have recently started making more and more record cover, wine box, and beer box books in addition to my book journals. Part of this was driven by the fact that in the production of some of my journals, I am left with the byproduct of extra paper. Instead of recycling these scraps, I have begun to look for other recycled objects to use as covers. Old record covers that are being thrown away because the records have disappeared, and boxes on their way to the landfill or recycling plant have been given a new life as pocket sized notebooks.

In all these things (old books, record covers, and booze boxes) there is something for the user to attach to: a favorite old book, a whimsical image, an interesting title, a beloved musician, a retro picture, a travel destination, or a beverage of choice. That is why I love this medium so much, there is something for everyone, old and young, male and female, artist, writer, list maker, doodler, traveler, creative or not. In the book cover journal there are pockets in the back for those scraps the we collect as we move through the world. Old photographs, postcards, notes, letters, stamps, pressed flowers, maps, ticket stubs, and whatever else you want to hold onto.

Do you have other creative pursuits besides your recycled journals?              

I do a lot of creating. Currently I am building a bike powered blender, so look for me peddling around Denver and making delicious treats.

 

Find out more about Erica's smoothie enterprise and visit her Etsy shop to see more of her journals.

 

OffTheChainSmoothies

 

ReBoundBooks