Last night the first-ever Midwest Book Club met via Zoom. We discussed Neil Gaiman’s “Art Matters,” a collection of four of his essays/speeches. Most of the discussion about the book centered around the influence of the illustrations and the chapters “Making a Chair” and “Make Good Art.” We were split as to the value of “Making a Chair” but those who liked it brought the rest over to appreciation for it. There is a lot in the chapter “Make Good Art” that we enjoyed. The discussions that stuck out to me about that chapter were the ideas of working your way towards the mountain (your goal), and finding your artistic voice is a matter of being vulnerable through your work.
We talked about a lot of related things, like books on creativity, and less obviously related things, like Kangaroo hides, and caught up a bit on upcoming events in people’s careers.
- The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
- On Art and Mindfulness: Notes from the Anderson Ranch by Enrique Martinez Celaya
- Joseph Moxon – 17th century English printer
- Patrick Reed – book artist “Quad” dice game
- The recording of Neil Gaiman’s original presentation of “Make Good Art” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAb-NYkseI&ab_channel=PeterShev
- Gaylord Schanilec https://www.midnightpapersales.com/mmj.html
- Joe Sacco – illustrated book/graphic novel author
- Was Not Was – Poppa Was A Rolling Stone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-ke0Cklp6A
- Neil Gaiman – Making a Chair fine print broadside https://camelotbooks.com/making-a-chair.html
- Kangaroo leather – sources? Maybe get Pergamena to make it? they are making ostrich leather now
- Jane Austen Society meeting in Cleveland https://jasna.org/agms/cleveland2024/welcome.php (Cris will be teaching a workshop there)
Future Events
The next Crafting Circle will meet on March 19th at 7pm CT, the theme is “Blue”. When registering, be sure to click “Submit” on the final page. If not, your registration will not go through and the event link will not be sent to you. Register at https://forms.gle/V6GrKytArBr8Erch7
The next Book Club will be on April 16th at 7pm CT. We will be listening to and discussing the Rare Book School Podcast episode with Mirjam Foot “Make Haste but Slowly – Binders at work” (12 July 2004) posted 9/9/15. It can be found on most podcast catcher apps or at their website: https://soundcloud.com/rarebookschool/foot-mirjam-make-haste-but-slowlybinders-at-work-12-july-2004. FYI, The audio quality improves once Mirjam gets to the podium.
Register for this event at https://forms.gle/oU8T8CePJCL8ngeJ7. When registering, be sure to click “Submit” on the final page. If not, your registration will not go through and the event link will not be sent to you.
GBW Midwest Chapter 