Winter Newsletter 2017

Dear Rocky Mountain Chapter Members,

Happy New Year!

This newsletter includes another interview with a RMC member, this time with
Christopher McAfee, Head Conservator at the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham
Young University. In this issue also check out the upcoming regional events, study
opportunities in our region, book news, and tips.

In the May issue look forward to a comprehensive list of places that hold
bookbinding and book arts classes and workshops in our region (Arizona, Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming). We need member input to
put this list together, so please email pleutz@me.com with names of places that you
know of.

The Rocky Mountain Chapter blogsite, http://rmcgbw.blogspot.com , (including

member page http://rmcgbw.blogspot.com/p/members.html , and calendar
http://rmcgbw.blogspot.com/p/events-calendar.html ) has been updated. We
encourage members to send binding pictures and email/website contact information
for the member page.

Included in this newsletter:

Interview with RMC member Christopher McAffee page 2
Current and Coming Events page 9
Upcoming Classes/Workshops page 10
Recent Events/Things of Interest page 11
Tips page 12

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Interview with RMC member Christopher McAfee, January 2017
by Pamela Leutz

Book and paper conservator, book artist, teacher, musician and owner of 21
ukuleles, and father and husband just some of Christopher McAfees many
attributes. I remember meeting Chris at the Guild of Book Workers Standards of
Excellence over 20 years ago. He made an impression on me as someone who was
kind and genuine, an enthusiastic newcomer to the world of bookbinding. Through
the years he stayed active in the Guild of Book Workers, serving as Standards Chair
from 2006-2012, and as-needed auctioneer at the popular and entertaining auction
that culminates Standards.

Chris established his career as a book conservator and instructor in Utah, first at
Brigham Young University, then as Senior Conservator at The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church History Department, and most recently back at
Brigham Young Universitys Harold B. Lee Library as Head Conservator.
Throughout his career he has also taught in various capacities at the University of
Utahs Marriott Library Books Arts Program. After getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts in
Printmaking from BYU, he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Book Arts from
the University of Alabama, a curriculum developed and taught by Paula Gourley.
When asked about Chris, Paula said, Chris brought a strong work ethic, dedication
to learning and traditional craft, and showed tremendous initiative in his approach
to all things. He balanced being a graduate student with deep commitment to family
life and fatherhood. I remember having a conversation in which he expressed that he
saw himself as having a leadership role, which has definitely come to fruition. One
day, he brought in his ukulele, and serenaded the class with his song, Fish Are
Swimming in Cement. We had deep conversations about life, activism,
bookbinding, history of books and printing, and the strong influence we shared
from the writings of Wendell Berry. Chris has said several times that You're the first
person who ever told me to slow down. ...by slowing down and taking care at every
step, excellence in bookbinding can be achieved. From my point of view, Chris has
achieved this, with humor and humility.

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To get an idea of Chris affection for the ukulele, check out one (or all 20) of his
videos with his various instruments from his collection,
https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingChristophoro; in each video he describes
the ukulele and performs a short song. My favorite video, though, is the one in
which he sings Popular with his daughter during open mic at the 2016 Utah Uke
Fest. He strikes me as a person who works hard, does good deeds, and is mindful
about living a meaningful life.
?
Interview with Chris 1/6/17

Chris, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for our newsletter. I remember first meeting
you at Standards.

Dallas [1994] was my first Standards. The next one was in Alabama, and I helped to
plan that one. Isnt that the one where you won the book press? I remember you ran
out happy.

I was so happy! That was the best Standards ever! How did you get interested in
bookbinding?

I was a printmaking major at BYU and a woman named Rebecca Wagstaff came to
teach a bookbinding class. I fell in love with bookbinding. My printmaking teacher
and bachelor of fine arts advisor had gone to the University of Alabama to learn
letterpress printing. I was sewing a book in the printmaking class one day, and I
said, I think I could do this forever. He said, Why dont you? That prompted me
to go look at the University of Alabama, which is where I ended up getting my
Masters degree.

As I understand it, there had been a printing program with a binding teacher who
was primarily supplementing the printing program. They were teaching binding
and edition binding simple bindings a printmaker could use. Paula Gourley
fleshed it out into a bigger bookbinding program. I finished in two years, but they
told me most people finish in three years. I didnt know that was an option so I felt
like I had to finish in two years. They usually have the classes for two years and
your third year is spent working on your thesis project a final project. At least that
is how it was then.

I didnt know what I was going to do. I majored in art. I thought I was going to go
into being a printmaking artist or something like that. Then I had a flood in my
closet. A water heater had sprung a slow leak, and we hadnt known it. I had three
boxes of memoirs in my closet, and it ruined a lot of things. They allow you to do an
internship for credit between the first two years of the program. I got interested in
conservation, thinking, What could I do to repair these, but also, how could I help
other people to prevent this from happening? Paula found an internship for me at
the University of Cincinnati. We were poor and had a son who was around two. I
wouldnt be able to afford an internship if it wasnt paid, but when they told me it

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was paid, I did the 5-6-week internship at University of Cincinnati. While I was
there, my primary project was disbinding bound pamphlets that were bound into
volumes, and then resewing them into pamphlets again. I realized that I liked doing
it and that I could work on anything as long as it was book related. That is when I
seriously considered conservation. While I was at the University of Cincinnati, I was
working with Ginny Wisniewski, a conservator. She came to me and asked, Are
you a Mormon? I said, Yeah. At that time, Pam Barrios was here at BYU, and
they were hiring a new conservator. Pam is not a Mormon, but she was required to
hire a Mormon for the conservation job. She went to AIC and asked if anyone knew
someone who was a Mormon conservator. Ginny said, I think the guy working
with me is Mormon. Ginny told me I should apply for the job at BYU, so I did, and
I got the job. They told me they would wait for me to graduate. That is how it all
happened.

It seems like your career path opened up for you.

It did. I didnt choose the career as much as the career chose me. It just kind of
happened, one step at a time. I just kept doing things that seemed right. I was an art
major, and people would ask, What are you going to do with that? There is not
really a good answer. I would say, I think Im going to teach art. That kind of
satisfies anyone who thinks you cant do anything with art. I didnt really believe
that was what I was going to do, but I didnt know what I was going to do.

You seem to be pretty prolific in doing your own work in book arts.

Im not as prolific as Id like to be. I feel like I dont do very much. I actually feel like
Ive progressed more slowly than people who are doing art full time. Six years ago
or so, I was in a motorcycle accident. I had taken a motorcycle class, and I was going
to buy a motorcycle but didnt end up getting one. I had a friend who had taken a
class at the same time as me who had a motorcycle. I asked him to come show me
and refresh me on how to ride a motorcycle. He explained everything and I said,
This all sounds familiar I remember all this. So I took off on the motorcycle.
About 50 feet later, I hit a tree and broke eight ribs and was in the hospital for two
weeks. When I came out, I said, I have to start doing the things I want to do. Ive
been doing more since then. Not just bookbinding workIve started doing more
musical things, especially with ukuleles.

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I think Ive watched all of your You Tube videos about your ukuleles.

Oh really? I know Im not great. I dont know if I could be a professional, but its
fun, and people enjoy it, so I do it. Six or eight months ago, I started leading a group
at the local library for people who want to play the ukulele. They come and gather,
and I lead the group once a month.

You seem to be a very giving person.

I try. I find that Im not as good about that with my own family, but Im trying to be
better there too. I dont know why Im that way. My parents were divorced when I
was five and I was raised by a single mom who I think had a good heart. Life was
hard. We were poor. Now I have more money than Ive ever had in my life. We are
not wealthy by any means, but my wife and I are both aware that people dont have
things, especially my wife, sometimes to a fault. Shell go buy clothes for kids in the
neighborhood if she knows they dont have any money. Shell just show up at their
door and say, Here are some clothes for your kids. Im an introvert and my wifes
an extrovert. Shes really good at just getting out there. Thats actually part of why I
married her. I had dated other kinds of women before I met her, and when I dated
them I became more insular so I said I have to marry someone more outgoing or Ill
just stay in my room all the time.

Did you grow up in Utah?

No, I was born in Ohio and lived there until I was 13. Then my mom, my sister, and
I moved to Florida. My moms parents lived there. I lived in Florida until 1989. I
went on a mission from 1986-88. I was in Denmark for those two years, but Florida
was still my home residence.

Did you do your mission work right out of high school?

I didnt do it right out of high school because I almost didnt do it. I wasnt sure I
wanted to. Back then, most missionaries left when they were 19. I didnt go until I
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was 20. I graduated from high school, and I went to one semester of community
college in Florida. Then I goofed around and one day felt like I should go. It did
change my life. I think its the reason that Im able to get up in front of crowds and
talk to people. It built my confidence that way.

I see that you have spoken a lot to groups about preserving family histories.

It took a lot of practice to do that. I get nervous, but its not noticeable anymore.

I remember you being an auctioneer at Standards. You didnt seem nervous.

Ive only done it once. It was in Dallas and I was a new Standards chair. We tried to
get Bill Drendel, but he couldnt come. Dominic Riley couldnt come either. We
didnt know who could do it. I thought, I think I can do that. So, I did. The only
way to know is to try. I was super nervous about it. Every year since, Ive been
asked if I would do it if they cant get one, and I hesitantly say I guess I would, if
they need me. Last year someone who usually does it at PBI (Paper and Book
Intensive) did it.

Ive always wanted to go to PBI. I read that you taught there. What was it like?

It was fun, outdoors. I was great to hang out with so many people enthusiastic about
the book arts. I went to teach case binding, which is pretty simple.

I read that you taught at American Academy of Bookbinding.

Ive taught three conservation classes at AAB. Its a fun place to be. The town is
really great.

Do you like teaching?

I do. I taught at the University of Utah for a long time. Students would have
questions, and I would get these great ideas because of the questions they asked, but
I never had time to do anything with the ideas because I was always preparing to
teach. So I told Marnie [Powers-Torrey, Managing Director of the Book Arts
Program], that I wanted to start doing my own stuff, so I needed to stop teaching.
But last semester, another college here, Utah Valley University, decided they wanted
a bookbinding class. The printmaking teacher there who wanted a bookbinding class
scheduled a class without hiring a teacher. She and Pam Barrios convinced me that I
should teach it, so I taught last semester. It did take from my time to do my creative
work, and it was the first time I ever taught when my students werent totally in
love with the process, which made it harder and less fun.

What is your favorite kind of bookbinding work? Is it conservation or artist books?

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That is hard to answer. I dont know if I have a favorite. I think in some ways, over
the last couple years, when I started making books to sell at Comic Con, I started
enjoying case binding. Its really simple, but I started liking it. I really know a lot
about case binding but I dont know that I have a favorite type. Every time I have a
new idea about an artist book, its different, a different kind of sewing or structure
altogether. I think what I really like is problem solving. That is in both conservation
and art. I like problem solving processes at work. Right now we are working on
refining our exhibit process. I was put in charge of that. Yesterday, my co-worker
was working on some mounts for a book, and she had a problem that I solved. She
said, You just love problem solving. I think thats what it is. I wonder
sometimesI majored in art, but did I want to be an artist or did I just want to solve
problems? Im not sure.

What made you interested in Comic Con?

I have always liked comic books and science fiction. And Ive always wanted to
experience Comic Con at least once. When some local guys decided to arrange a
Comic Con in Salt Lake City, I decided to go just for a day to see what it was like. It
was super crowded because they were trying to break a record for the most-
attended new Comic Con ever. They broke the record, but you couldnt walk
through the space. It was interesting, but I didnt think I would go back. I have a
friend who I went to art school with, and he had a booth and got an extra ticket with
his booth. He offered me the ticket, so I took it and went a second time. Then, I
thought that was probably enough. He offered to share a booth with me for the next
one, so I went again, and we shared a booth. I sell blank books there. Instead of
sewing the pages myself, because that takes a long time and Id have to charge more
money, I buy text blocks from Hollanders. I buy some with no lines and some with
lines, and I do a process that is inspired by Tim Ely. The University of Utah calls it
The Naked Book [https://openbook.lib.utah.edu/?p=1536] because it has neither
cloth nor leather covering. I just connect two pieces of binders board with a piece of
bookcloth at the spine. I gesso both sides of the board with acrylic gesso and then
use acrylic modeling paste to cover the boards so they have a texture. Ill use
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templates to get shapes, and Ill scratch lines in the acrylic modeling paste after it
dries. Then I rub paint in. Its a lot like when I did etchings in printmaking rubbing
ink into a plate; I rub acrylic paint into the book cover. I like the way it looks. I just
attach those to the text blocks.

Do you ever take private clients?

I used to take private conservation clients, and then my kids said in their evening
prayers, Please bless dad that he can finish his work so that he can spend more time
with us. My youngest is now 17, so I could probably start it again, but Im not. Im
interested in doing conservation at work and book arts at home.

Do you sell any of your books?

Not really. Ive sold some in the past and I sell the things I do at Comic Con. Part of
the reason I started doing that was to support my other hobbies. I earn enough
money at Comic Con so I can buy more materials or buy another ukulele. My wife
just got me a t-shirt for Christmas that says, Theres no such thing as too many ukuleles.
Im willing to sell, its just never been a primary reason that I do books. A few years
ago, a book dealer in Salt Lake City wanted to sell one of my books. She had a store
called Red Queen Book Arts. I kept meaning to go see her, and I never did, and all of
a sudden, three years have passed, and I still have it.

Maybe you will have a show.

Ive been thinking of doing that at the library here. Christina Thomas had an exhibit
that she put together in a little gallery we have on the fifth floor. Ive been thinking
of having a little show up there too. I remember in art school, they kept pushing:
youve got to exhibit, youve got to exhibit. And I just never cared that much. I care
more about making it than exhibiting it, which means as an artist, I would probably
fail financially.

I saw online that you used to have a private business, Small and Simple Press.

Small and Simple Press is still the name of my business. Its from the
Book of Mormon, By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.

Thank you, Chris. I very much enjoyed this time with you.

Check out Chris works on his website:

https://sites.google.com/site/smallandsimpleworks/ On his website he writes,
I havent printed for years, but I still like the name. I hope that in small and simple
ways I can share things that make you think or smile or just wonder.

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 Chris background in art is evident in his many artist books. For his book Infinities,
which he created for the GBW Horizons exhibit, he uses chalk, acrylic paint, and mirrors.

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Current and Coming Events:

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER MEMBER SHOW

The show is currently up in Utah.
Dates and locations for the exhibit are:
Harold B. Lee Library, BYU, Provo, UT: January 9 March 25, 2017
Denver Public Library: April 1 June 30, 2017
Laramie, WY, University of Wyoming: July September 2017
Online catalog https://www.scribd.com/document/326443334/Souvenir

OPENSET, a new triennial competition for finely crafted design book bindings in
the United States, sponsored in part by the American Academy of Bookbinding.
To see the winners: http://bookbindingacademy.org/open-set/
The exhibit schedule:
Denver Denver Public Library, Jan. 5-29
San Francisco San Francisco Center for the Book opens Feb. 4
Iowa City University of Iowa early spring
Telluride Ah Haa School for the Arts late spring
Boston North Bennett Street School mid-summer
Austin Austin Public Library late summer
Seattle Seattle Public Library fall
Salt Lake City University of Utah early winter

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 Deb Stevens and Lang Ingalls at Denvers opening reception of OpenSet

COLORADO
Celebrate! (Denver, CO) submission deadline is February 8
Abecedarian Artists Books, Denver, CO
Deadline to submit work for Celebrate! An international juried
exhibition of contemporary artist book works featuring food, music and
dance is fast approaching.
Full entry details can be found at this link:
<http://bit.ly/celebrate-prospectus>

Gathering of the Guilds

Boettcher Mansion, Sunday, April 30, 2017 10 AM4 PM (Setup from 8-10 AM;
Breakdown from 4-6 PM)
900 Colorow Road, Golden, CO 80401
For the past several years RMC/GBW has participated in this gathering. Its a great
opportunity for educational outreach as well as a chance for members to sell their
products. If you are interested in selling your wares, presenting a demonstration,
and/or helping at our table, contact Karen.jones@jeffcolibrary.org for more detail.
Demonstrators/workshop leaders can charge a fee. Both workshop leaders and
sellers donate 15% of monies earned to the sponsor (Arts and Crafts Society). If
interested in selling or leading a workshop, respond before 2/15/17, so I can
submit those forms.

Upcoming Classes/Workshops:

COLORADO
Abecedarian Artists Books, Denver, CO
Innovative Folded Forms, February 25 Alicia Bailey

Weehawken Creative Arts, Ridgway, CO

Narrative Treasure Book & Box, March 25-26 Alicia Bailey

Workshop through Art Students League of Denver

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 2 week session - Miniature Diorama Boxes begins Wednesday, February 20,
2017 6-9pm (meets Wednesday evenings) Alicia Bailey
Flag Book and variations Saturday, April 29 9am-4pm Alicia Bailey
Found & Scrounged: Make a Recycled Book on either February 18 or April 8
(1 day) - Jennifer Ghormley
Register/details here: www.asld.org

Priscilla Spitler Workshop title TBD June 2017 (exact date will be determined
soon), Denver area keep an eye out for more information as it becomes available.

NEW MEXICO
See details and registration information about workshops through the Santa Fe Books
Arts Group at http://www.santafebag.org (additional members-only workshops are
listed on the website). Some workshops include:
Retro Tech: Artists Books and Bindings, a presentation by Karen Hanmer,
Friday, March 10, 2017, 7 pm to 9 pm
Artists Books on the Road, a presentation by Alicia Bailey
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 1 pm to 4 pm
Innovative Folded Forms with Alicia Bailey
April 9, 2017

UTAH
Workshops at Marriott Library, University of Utah:
Registration for our 2017 workshops is now open for nineteen community events
this year, including half-day, weekend, and multi-session classes, as well as free,
informal drop-in sessions and lectures. National and local instructors including
Samuel Feinstein, Christopher McAfee, Jessica Peterson, Stacy Phillips, and Pamela
Spitzmueller will join Book Arts Program staff to teach workshops ranging from
gold tooling, hand-press printing, encaustics, conservation, papermaking and more.
Complete details including instructor bios, class fees and online registration links
can be found on our website:
http://www.lib.utah.edu/collections/book-arts/community/workshops.php

Recent events/Things of Interest:

Denver RMC Gathering
Twelve RMC members met at Alicia Bailey's Abecedarian
Artists Book location in Denver on Jan. 8. They enjoyed
checking out her new space and her selection of works by a
variety of artists that were on display. She shared plans to
start a new series of Book Art Clubs. If you are interested in
learning more about them, contact her directly.
Chapter members brought their own work to share.
Suggestions for instructors and classes for the coming year
were also discussed. There was a lot of support for
including local teachers in the mix, emphasizing basic skills
and structures. A box-making intensive: 1 full day of
learning various box structures with several local teachers
may be in the offing soon if there is interest.

RMC/GBW workshop held Nov. 5-6

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Coleen Curry introduced students to stone veneer and its possibilities as a binding
material. The structure, dos rapporte, was empathetic to the stone and highlighted
its potential. The veneers (slate and quartzite) really need to be handled to be
believed; very seductive surfaces! Coleen was a great instructor - relaxed,
encouraging and very knowledgeable, ensuring the class a was success for all.

Stone Veneer to purchase

After taking Coleen Curry's class, Karen Jones placed a bulk order from Italy for
stone veneer papers for 9 students. Those interested in purchasing the stone veneer
sheets can order from the Italian source, www.silpell.com. Estimated cost is $125 per
24"x 48"sheet, plus shipping. Sheets can be cut into smaller sizes as needed. The
stone leaf can be cut with a knife or scissors.

Here's a translation from the Italian website that sells the stone veneer:
Stone Leaf
With cutting-edge technology, it was possible to bring to light what the nature has
preserved over thousands of yearsPerfect material for nearly all applications and
forms, the possibilities for creative fields almost endlessIts flexibility, light weight,
ease of processing and its incomparable natural beauty offers many opportunities to
creative people. With resin of polyester and fiber glass for leather goods, fashion,
accessories with transparent fabric for lampshades, bookbinding, boxes, picture
frames. Quartzite or slate is available.

Coleen Curry and class Class members and their finished books

UFO Salon (UFO=Unfinished Object)

Abecedarian Artists Books, Denver, CO
Alicia Bailey is scheduling times for book artists to gather to get together to share,
inspire each other, and do some creative problem solving on projects. Register to
attend here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ufo-salon-january-29-tickets-
31050899075

TIPS:
Ideas from workshops:
Tips when doing paste-downs:
To minimize pull when adhering paste-down on cover, glue inside of board and
outside of frame of paste-down paper.

If too much pull already, pull off fill and replace with a dry adhesive before
adhering paste-down.

Tips when using stone veneer:

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Light colored stone veneer is translucent; you may have to line your board to create
a uniform color beneath it.

Rough up the fiberglass side of the stone veneer by sanding it before applying PVA
adhesive. Stone veneer does not adhere as easily as paper; be persistent and nip as
needed.

Please send in your helpful tips to share (pleutz@me.com).

If you would like to receive an email message each time that a new posting is put
up, please go to the website and put your email address in the box under Follow by
email.

Please send articles, tips, and book related news and event information to
pleutz@me.com by the end of April so they can be added to the next newsletter that
will come out May 1.

Warm Regards,
Pamela Train Leutz
Communications Coordinator, pleutz@me.com

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