When Mini cooper met Fiat 500....

Okay, I've shown you mine, now show me yours...

Man Booker Binding, Parrot and Olivier in America, Peter Carey, Champagne and Mark.

©Janie Airey
The night of the Man Booker presentation, the author, the book and the binder.

All of the Man Booker Bindings for 2010 are now on exhibition in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

LYSISTRATA Covering...

Now that the Man Booker is out of the way (I have a cracking image that I hope to post soon) I can resume work on Lyistrata.

The whole is bound in fair goat and will be worked on the book. A large thin book.. lots of fun covering!

Hello Korean Bookbinders and book artists.

안녕하세요 한국에 있는 모든 예술제본가와 북아티스트.

The New Press.

My new single screw laying press. Based on my old one but improved. The woods used are reclaimed so a low carbon footprint there. The backing boards locate on the cheeks with aluminium studs (my originals being located with old bits of dowel)
A thing of joy and beauty.



I always edge the backing boards with masking tape as this helps to keep things clean and I can see when a student has hit the backing boards and not the book!



I have a favourite plough, Jim (the guy who made the press) ensured that the plough and press work together....



I LOVE this press.... The press was made by Jim at Olive and Oak. www.oliveandoak.com

Comments.

Thanks, comments are important, it is all too easy to be working in a vacuum.
I have feed back with the students and studio members, as I offer feed back. Outside views and opinions are part of the life blood.

Today my new backing/Laying press arrived.

I am so happy, images to follow soon.

Why does no one leave any comments?

Man Booker Binding, the morning after....

Having managed to traverse London, I arrived at the Guildhall. As usual I faced the now normal routine of the door men not believing I was a not a guest and that I had to get a book on display before the big names arrived...... Why.
In any case I was 'Allowed' in and got my book set up along with the other bindings. All good.

I was introduced to Peter Carey, a nice bloke, very relaxed and fun. Met some people from the Australian Embassy or Consulate, again very nice people. I had Champagne.... all night.......



The winner was announced .... drum roll .. Howard Jacobson for his book 'The Finkler Question' His first time on the short list.
The cameras were primed, the journalists at the typewriters, all that was needed was Howard Jacobson, then I could go home.


The man himself... winner of the 2010 Man Booker Prize.

Man Booker Binding, Parrot and Olivier in America plus Mark go to the Guildhall.

Shaken and stirred !

Man Booker Binding, Parrot and Olivier in America. Dusting down the old Dinner Jacket.

Having found my Dinner Jacket (tucked away in the darkest region of my wardrobe) and all the other bits and bobs that go with a Black Tie event, I begin to plan for the presentation tomorrow evening (Tuesday, 12th of October)

The evening starts with a reception at 6.30pm (Champagne) Where my binding along with the five others will be on display. We then move on to the Dinner at 7.30pm (Food with red and white wine) I will have to be on my best behaviour as I will be on the same table as Peter Carey, the author of Parrot and Olivier in America, thus I may be seen on the television! During the meal the 6 finalists are introduced to the gathering and their specially bound book is presented to them.

The winner will be announced at 9.45pm, this will be broadcast on BBC News across television, radio and online.

After that there is a post award reception sort of thing with more wine....


Carriages at 11.30pm... Wish me luck.

I will try to take some pictures of the evening...

Man Booker Binding, Parrot and Olivier in America. Finished.

One week ahead of the presentation!

On to the next book......

My Biggest Critic.

Man Booker Binding, Parrot and Olivier in America. Front board finished..

Instead of a label on the front board I opted to do create a pallet. One of the characters is a painter... logical. Plus Pallet and Parrot are not too dis-similar.

The Gold tooling has been distressed with wire wool and a cocktail stick, I want it to appear a little singed (fire damage)

Man Booker Binding, Parrot and Olivier in America. The front board.

The leather was hand pared down to 0.5mm and hand coloured with a spirit dye.


On covering the brush strokes and un-even nature of the dye becomes obvious.


The finishing was done in a hurry, 1837 style. Next will be a label........