Artist Profile: Laura Russell
Nocturne
Artist name: Laura Russell
Business name: Simply Books Ltd.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Website: Laural Russell Simply Books Ltd.
Laura, how do you describe your work to those who aren’t familiar with artist-made books?
I make hand-made, small-edition artist books using my own photographs, poetry or collage work. Artist books are simply art created in the book format.
Simplify
I picked the name of my business as Simply Books Ltd. because I was big on trying to simplify my life back then (didn’t work!) and because one of my very first (and best-selling) books was called Simplify.
What is your creative process like?
My creative process is very project oriented. I often have a concept in mind before I start taking photographs. I might decide that I am going out to take photographs of this certain group of houses and that they will someday become a book.
Urban Decay
My work is also very deadline oriented. If there is not a deadline for a show or sale the work does not get done. Although I might have shot the photographs for a certain book six months or a year earlier, I often don’t get around to actually designing and producing the book until I have some kind of deadline. And, of course, then I always wait until the last minute. I’m usually up until all hours of the night the last few days before the deadline trying to get the work done.My goal is to get better at not procrastinating so much. My deadline problem leads to not enjoying the process of design as much as when I take my time and do things at a more relaxed and thoughtful pace.
My only saving grace is that during the time between when I shoot the photographs (or come up with the concept) I am always thinking about the finished project. I’ll be in the shower or walking the dog and thinking about the book structure or what the pages will layout like.
I keep a notebook for these ideas as they come up. I’ll use the notebook to make sketches or write down thoughts. This could go on for a year or more and then once I have that deadline I am ready to start getting things down on paper.
What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I am a complete workshop nut. Never went to art school, but over the years I have taken every book arts workshop that came along. I have always loved the workshop atmosphere: trying out new techniques, experimenting with new methods or materials and especially soaking up the inspiration I get from the other artists in the workshop.
When I decided to move from being a hobbyist to a professional I did a lot of experimenting. Book arts have so many different avenues or specialty areas to work in. After about five years of taking workshops in all of these different areas I decided to narrow down my focus to just one type of binding. So, I gave myself a deadline and explored those various areas for one year. After one year of making commissioned wedding albums, leather bound fine press books, artist books and corporate presentation books, and a few others, I decided that artist books were the one area that I enjoyed the most. And, from that point on artist books became my specialty and my calling. And then it took a few more years of experimenting with different types of artist books for me to really find my style and my favorite types of books to make.
Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
My computer. Some days it is a dreaded tool, but in so many ways it is my most important tool. Also, paper is my favorite art material. I love experimenting with different types of paper to see what gives the best result for whatever process I am working with.
Casa Mila
What inspires you to create?
I am inspired by the world around me. Everyday I try to look at the world and really see what is out there. There is so much inspiration all around us. We just need to take the time and pay attention. Once we start paying attention we can find inspiration in the smallest things.
What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
The deadline (again with the darned deadlines!) and the satisfaction that I know that I will get when I finally hold the finished book in my hands. That moment when it all comes together is so special and so fulfilling. Trying to reach that moment of bliss is what keeps me moving through the fog.
What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Practice, practice, practice and never compromise. I’m never happy with a book or any other piece of artwork until it is perfect. And I cannot get perfect without doing that one thing many times. I make several prototypes of a book until I get all the details just right. Once I feel like there are no more areas to improve and no compromises I feel like I can call it done and move on.
Colfax
What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Marketing. If you want to become a professional artist you need to plan on spending at least 50% of your time doing marketing and business tasks. At times when I am getting ready for a show or a sales trip that may rise to almost 100%. It can be painful to not get enough time in making my art.
What’s your favorite comfort food?
M&Ms. They are the one thing that gets me through. I never leave home without them!
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Book Arts, Business tips, Collage, Creativity, Digital Art, Journals, Mixed Media, Paper, Quotes
1 opinion for Artist Profile: Laura Russell
b5media - Arts and Design - news updates and other things
Mar 22, 2007 at 11:17 am
[…] got some killer artist profiles that have been posted with some really neat people. This has become a regular […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: