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Jessica Straus is a sculptor from the Boston area. Working primarily in wood and mixed media, Straus explores the poetry of unexpected juxtapositions between recognizable and invented forms. Her studio is in the Brickbottom Artists Building in Somerville, MA. Her artwork is represented by the Boston Sculptors Gallery in the SOWA district of Boston. She has shown her work at numerous galleries and museums including the Addison Gallery of American Art, the Fuller Craft Museum, the Danforth Art Museum, the Duxbury Art Complex Museum, the DeCordova Museum, and the Berkshire Art Museum. A recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant and a Berkshire Taconic Foundation grant, Straus was also a nominee for the recently established Brother Thomas awards.

Visit Jessica Straus

Old, new, stained, crumpled, torn… Paper - especially old book pages - I love the feel, the smell, the texture. I like to re-use materials in a different context, fond of recycling, using what I have at hand. I create art objects using paper pulp or papier maché technique. I’m also a graphic designer and bookbinder, living and working in Sigtuna, Sweden. Contact me for workshops, commission work or just leave a small comment - much appreciated!

Cecilia Levy (blog)
Cecilia Levy (portfolio)
Cecilia Levy (flickr)

Is the art the photograph or the diorama? Same with Laurie Simmons (Tiny Furniture), James Casebere and Andy Goldsworthy. Mr. Goldsworthy’s art is creating ephemeral and temporary natural creations, however the ‘business’ is photography, and by extension, books. I feel the art isn’t the documentation, but the creation. Documentation is secondary. Ms. Nix creation of realistic miniatures falls into this middle ground as well. Without the photographs, there wouldn’t be documentation. That’s an interesting question, don’t you think? Does the work gain from the documentation? The photographer does. Just a thought. Ms. Nix says:

I am often asked questions about the inspiration for my work as well as my working process. As a ‘non-traditional’ photographer (I construct my subject matter rather than go find it) people find it hard to grasp what exactly it is that I do. And the fact that it is all done in front of the camera, with no digital manipulation, adds its own set of challenges. Building materials, lighting, issues of scale and space all become significant when you are recreating the world on a table top.

Visit Lori Nix

Visit Stephanie Davidson
Via Art Room Plant

DAN ELDON: SAFARI AS A WAY OF LIFE
Photojournalist Dan Eldon left behind much more than the astonishing illustrated journals that would form The Journey is the Destination when he lost his life at age twenty-two while on assignment in Somalia. He also bequeathed a life story that has inspired students, teachers, artists, and creative activists—as well as a forthcoming film, an apparel line, and the Spring 2011 collection from Tom’s Shoes. Raised in Kenya, Dan grew up with a unique outlook on life. Through adventurous safaris and benevolent crusades around the world, he crafted a philosophy of curiosity, creativity, and charity. This unique visual biography showcases previously unpublished artwork from Dan’s acclaimed journals, letters, and snapshots that takes readers on a journey through Dan’s life and beyond, exploring the impact made by this remarkable artist on everyone who has encountered his story.

visit chronicle books
visit the Dan Eldon organization

dic•tion•ar•y
An altered book workshop with Lisa Kokin
Sunday, March 20th
El Sobrante, California
www.lisakokin.com/classes