In August 2024 I exhibited in a group show with the South West Printmakers. The exhibition was themed ‘renewal’.

Renewal – an instance of resuming something after an interruption.

I focused on this meaning of renewal with my artist book, Our Blackbird Family. When I underwent chemotherapy and radiation for my Stage 4 lung cancer, I suffered badly from “chemo fog.” I could not think clearly, work out how to make things, develop ideas, or compose complex drawings. I was scared for a while that it would be permanent.

Artist books became one of the tools I used to get my brain working again; the other was embroidery. These activities helped me regain my confidence. I had to think about the story, the images, the structure of the book, and then create it. I completed bookbinding tutorials online and made dummy books to practice.

Time is also a factor. The binding method I chose for this book, the Blizzard Fold, is a technique I tried a year ago and could not figure out. This year, I completed it. Using this technique for this book is a celebration for me that my brain is getting better.

When I was told I was terminal during COVID my world became my family and home. So I looked close to home for the idea. The book’s subject matter is inspired by the blackbird family that comes back each year to rear their babies under the eaves of our outdoor room. It has given our family immense pleasure to watch the babies emerge from their shells, grow up, and leave the nest—just like my children are doing.

Artist Book: Our Blackbird Family

Illustrated Linocuts on Archers Paper with Blizzard Fold.