Toscana Americana

The artist’s book combines words and images in a structure that reinforces the ideas it contains. Inspired by our experiences in Italy, we will make books that can be a repository for our week together in Cortona. We will begin by talking about travel journals, documenting your experiences on this trip. Some simple binding structures and page design considerations will lead us to work on an artist’s book. Your images may include drawing, painting or collage techniques. We will then integrate our imagery with handwritten text, and design a book structure that further develops the ideas. Whether traditional or contemporary, your book will be an expression of your own ideas, leaving ample room for experimentation and individual expression. Field trips to Cortona's two museums and to Florence and Siena will supplement our wanderings, giving us ample inspiration for our books.

Italy was the birthplace of Roman typefaces, both upper and lower case, as well as many calligraphic scripts. It tempts us with its museums, churches and libraries, reminding us of the major contributions made by Italians to the book arts over the centuries. Spend a week in Cortona, bringing your inspirations to the page by making a manuscript book, written and illuminated by you. Whether your outlook is traditional or contemporary, whether you are an experienced scribe or a novice, this workshop will launch into new ways of thinking about your work.