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Original prints and artist books by Kim Morski.
If you have questions about the artwork, please use the contact form in the Info section of the website. All artwork in the shop is original (not a digital reproduction) and made by Kim Morski.
Resilience Journal
Resilience Journal
The Resilience Journal holds 150 pages of brilliant white, writing paper, sewn together using waxed linen thread with an exposed Coptic stitch binding. This binding technique is beautiful and functional, as it allows the book to lay flat when open. The paper has a light linen texture that lends itself to writing, drawing, and even light watercolor. The journal covers are handmade from book board, wrapped with a textured dust lilac pink paper and inset with an original two-block linoleum cut print of a dandelion.
The Dandelion
The dandelion. commonly thought of as a weed and a nuisance, is a powerful and nutritious medicinal herb. Its pervasiveness is a reminder of its resilience, the ability to bloom in even the most unwelcoming terrain. I am inspired by the way this plant is deeply rooted, returning year after year, and yet its nomadic seeds spread sun-kissed blooms wherever the wind carries them. As you open this journal to write, draw, or paint, I hope the dandelion is a reminder to cultivate deep roots as well as a spirit of untethered generosity.
Details:
Dimensions: 5.5” x 8.5” x 1 3/8”
Linocut Print: 3” x 5”, non-toxic Akua water-based ink on Fabriano Rosapina paper
Paper: 150 pages of 24 lb. brilliant white writing paper in linen finish
Binding: waxed Irish linen thread, coptic stitch
Images: Click the large square image to see the entire enlarged photo.
See About the Process below to learn about the making of the Resilience Journal.
About the Process:
The Resilience Journal is carefully handmade and involves several printmaking and bookbinding processes to make. First, the dandelion print is made by hand carving two blocks with hand drawn images of the dandelion. One block is carved for each color of the print, in this case a block carved with the yellow blooms and a block carved with the green leaves. Non-toxic water based ink colors are mixed by hand and applied to the block using a brayer; each block is printed in succession on paper using a manual etching press, which applies even pressure to the block and paper, resulting in a beautiful relief print.
The journal covers are made by cutting down book board to the correct dimensions and using a scalpel to cut and peel away individual layers of the book board to create an inset frame for the linoleum block print. The book board is then wrapped in a cover paper and pierced with holes for the binding. Once the covers dry, the linoleum block print is glued into the inset frame of the cover.
The binding is hand sewn, one signature (or group of folded pages) at a time, creating a strong, but flexible binding that lays completely flat when open. The linen binding thread has a protective wax coating to give the thread longevity and strength.
