A Journey
I make hand bound books and journals. I like to make journal editions that are thematic and help folks start to write again.
I got started with this idea when I kept finding journals that were empty. When I ask folks about why their personal journal was empty , I am usually told something like ,”Oh, it is too pretty to mess up.” or “I really don’t know what to say.”
So we got started with journal editions that were based on themes like hiking, travel, or nature. The structure is a left hand page for who, what, when and where with context prompts such as passport stamp images for the placeholders. The right hand page prompts for words and sketches.
Gradually, the themes shifted to perspectives on personal growth but still using the theme and prompt approach. One example is a Nature Journal that is structured around “A Year In My Yard And How I Learned About Nature Time.”
Which brings me to the current project of making a journal that will help folks express themselves using the theme of “What Is Art?” Part of the vision for this edition is to utilize elements in the journal that are based on my own personal journey of learning how to create electro etched copper plates to be used as elements in the journals. The covers may have etched plates turned into Champlevé enameled pieces or plates produced with experiments in different methods of creating patina. I may use the etched plates to produce prints or embossed pages in the journals.
Regardless, I am having to start my copper etching journey from scratch and this site is dedicated to recording my journey. I hope that my findings will be helpful to other folks who are on their own journey in creating copper etched plates and using them in creative ways!
dan mckinney
