Studio Tour Eugenio Roberto Coco

Name: Eugenio Roberto Coco

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym: WASH–AND–WEAR NO PRESS

Describe your studio/work area: A tidy borrowed space in the piano room of an elderly friend, who no longer plays.

Do you have a day job? Yes, staying out of trouble and taking my meds.

How did you get started in the book world? Before kindergarten. My father was a bookaholic and therefore it is in my blood.

What inspires you? Shiny objects and discount coupons

What is your favorite technique? Melted crayola and emulsion of oil and water soluble pigments

What is one tool you couldn't live without? Pill counter

What is the most challenging part of what you do? Restraint

What is the most rewarding? The smirk on people's faces

Where do you show/share your work? At the Edible Book Teas

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? Arrogance, envy and self effacing humor

Any other comments? Always check for accurate spelling

Studio Tour Susan Koch Bridgford

Name: Susan Koch Bridgford

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym: Mama's in the Laundryroom Press

Website/blog: are you kidding?

Describe your studio/work area: old letterpress type, 5x7 Kelsey platen press, small proof press and book press, primitive paper-making stuff in the back of the laundryroom (where I seem to spend most of my waking hours at home)

Do you have a day job? Yes. I manage a 120-year-old family printing business (with lots more letterpress and bindery equipment)

How did you get started in the book world?  I was a printers' devil for the above business as a kid -- and it got in my blood.

What inspires you? reading and appreciating physical books 

What is your favorite technique? letterpress printing and typography

What is one tool you couldn't live without? type guage

 

What is the most challenging part of what you do? finding time 

What is the most rewarding? creating an attractive, readable design in any medium

Where do you show/share your work? with PBC members and public at our edible book teas 

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? it's an outlet for my passions to write and print my own words 

Studio Tour Jean Wilson

Name: Jean Wilson

Describe your studio/work area: I have a studio where I meet with clients and have samples of writing on walls. 

Do you have a day job? I do not have a job other than my envelope addressing and teaching at the Des Moines Art Center 

How did you get started in the book world? Taking bookbinding classes at the Des Moines Art Center. It dovetailed nicely with my lettering and calligraphy. I prefer my lettering to be in books or on envelopes. I am not that fond of doing framed pieces although I have a few that I like. I am much more drawn to ephemeral art.

What inspires you? Anything that is growing out of the soil. Contemporary Dutch design. Modern architecture.

What is your favorite technique? G-Tec pens on paper, pointed or flat brush on walls, cutting Tyvek.

What is one tool you couldn't live without? G-Tecs and Xacto blades. (I know that's two, but I love them equally.)

What is the most challenging part of what you do? Concentrating and not letting my mind wander when I am addressing envelopes.

What is the most rewarding? When clients get feedback on their envelopes

Where do you show/share your work? By appointment at my studio.

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? Hoping to get a Center for the Book established.

Studio Tour Peggy Johnston

Name of studio/business/art pseudonym:Waveland Studio

 

Website/blog: wavelandstudio.com

 

Describe your studio/work area:Gradually taking over the house.  Two front bedrooms, the attic and part of the basement

 

Do you have a day job? Working in my studio

 

How did you get started in the book world? I took a little class at the Des Moines Art Center and was hooked, although books and containers have always fascinated me.  I study with some of the top book binders and book artists in the country every chance I get.

 

What inspires you? Usually, it is the materials themselves, but sometimes, it goes the other way.

 

What is your favorite technique? I don't have one.  I love them all.

 

What is one tool you couldn't live without? Hard to say. My big book press.

 

What is the most challenging part of what you do? Solving engineering problems to make my pieces work properly.

 

What is the most rewarding? When the problem solving works.

 

Where do you show/share your work? On my website, and in my teaching, and in shows and exhibitions.

 

What drives you to work creatively in PBC? The challenge of pulling all our ideas, creativity, and knowledge into a final product.