DonGriffinOriginalBooks

The "Original Fine Art Book" is my most recent work. I see the books displayed in the home on tables. All type Coffee Tables, Cocktail Tables, Console Tables, End Tables, etc. There is no reason why it cannot even be shown as a sculptural piece resting on a base.

The Original Fine Art Book could in fact become the next "movement" in the fine arts arena. I saw my first original book around 1990 at Henri Gallery [Dupont Circle] in Washington, DC.

Henri represented me at the time and showed me a book created by a woman artist. I thought that was so creative! The next time I saw an original book was about 2001 when Baltimore artist Tony McKissic showed me a "Wooden Page Book" he created, again I was very impressed! None of the encounters inspired me enough to formulate my own recipe for such a book, however. It was not until Artscape 2003 in Baltimore, where it surfaced big time in an altered format; delivered as " Pages from an artists sketchbook" in the exhibition "Notebook." An exhibition credited to Gary Kachadourian and Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.

The Notebook show was well received and sparked great interest in the artists community. The original book affords all interested artists to embark upon producing their own individualistic version of a book. The artist doesn't require the services of a Publisher to do this. Original fine art books are a different way of approaching art. It allows one to be up close and personal with the artist. Display the books by standing, laying down with open face pages, etc. When you handle it, it's not the same as handling a print. The artists' is evident. The artist becomes the publisher for the desired book, and edits according to his or her own will. So now we have the makings of a Movement in both Individualism and Original Fine Art Books...I think its great and exciting!