Joelle Webber - Mermaid Bindery
Artist Statement and Biography
Joelle Webber began binding at age seven, exploring many book arts techniques over the years. She began journaling, about life in the woods of Maine, in her first hand-bound books. Earlier than that, she 'helped' build her family home. Understanding inner structural integrity, covered with outer decorative layers, informs her work today.
Inspired by nature, she creates around classic poetry as well as her own writing. Revising early short stories with an adult eye and the sensibility of a calligrapher, while retaining the joy of her younger self. Joelle now continues to write as nature inspires. Easily envisioning a sculptural form for each poem.
Using handmade papers and decorated paste papers, she illustrates the narratives with collage, pop-up, altered book techniques and paper sculpture. Delving into historical and modern book structures and boxes, she explores different calligraphic styles. Joelle continues to bring over 40 years of experience to her sculpted artist books.
Joelle resides in Westport Island, Maine and teaches workshops from Portland to Belfast.
Website: https://subscribepage.io/dPLd4x
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joelle.mermaidbindery
Workshop link: https://www.facebook.com/joelle.mermaidbindery/events
Email address: joelle.mermaidbindery@gmail.com
Mermaid ABeCeDarian – Embossed letters designed to draw the mermaid bestiary within.
Interrupted Play – Hand drawn & calligraphed letters, to illustrate an original poem of Mers.
The Question – A sculpted Yin-Yang box, to protect Ophelia's Victorian Flower Language.
Milkweed Seed Fairies – A pop-up, illustrating a halcion memory of a special walk in Maine.
Language of Trees – A collection of tree names, in different languages & scripts.
6. Anne's Violet Vale – A paper sculpted and collaged scene, to honor Lucy Maud Montgomery.
A Walk with Henry David Thoreau – Altered books, which illustrate five Spring-time excerpts.
For the Time Being – Original poem, calligraphed on designed cosmic paste papers.
Spring's Bright Awakening – A sculpted book arts vessel, illustrating a magical morning.
The River Above – Penned migration poem, over a collaged river, in a hand-built frame.