Andy Mangold

(more…)

(more…)

or at least what I haven’t lost, thrown away, sold, or gifted.

I certainly had a very book centric semester, but I think it worked out quite well in the end. I now have the book thing added to my belt to help me execute some bigger ideas. I will continue to make books over the summer, perhaps some small editions to make some cash. Also, my portfolio will be updated soon as well, perhaps along with my website??? WHO KNOWS! Stay tuned.

My latest book, “The Fruits of Religion”.

4 needle coptic bound, inkjet printed on Daler Rowney Heavyweight, sourced leather wrapped, embossed covers.

This is my first real piece of “political” art, and I am pleased with the response thusfar. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the book or it’s content in the comments. Full pictures of each spread in the complete article.

(more…)

Selectively stained and Tung Oiled, though still not really finished. Stay tuned for packaging and some significantly more respectable documentation.

Super secret spy shots! I am excited about this project, expect in depth photo documentation, packaging, videos of it in action, etc. within the month.

I haven’t blogged about anything in awhile, so I figured I would grab something nearby and take some pictures of it. I completed this 3 book series a month or so ago. My goal was to make what in my mind would be the perfect sketchbook for a fine artist. I came up with these wide format, leatherbound, Rives BFK Gray notebooks. I have already gifted two of them to some very fine artists, and I am sure I will find someone to give the 3rd one to soon. I hope they will draw/paint/watercolor/gouache/doodle all over them, then let me borrow them so I can take some pictures of them worn, when I hope they will be more beautiful and just as intact.

Sourced Leather

Plans for the Flatback Hardcover

(more…)

While chillin’ in the ATL over spring break, I insisted we visit a flea market, a fixture of the south not so abundant in the north. So, I consulted GoogleMaps and found “My Favorite Place” which we visited for an afternoon of boyish scrounging. We came across a lot of fun stuff there, including a cast iron pan we re-claimed from the depths of rusty inactivity, but the best find of the day, in my opinion, was this handmade, rosewood and brass square. As you may know, I love tools, especially beautifully handcrafted, and obviously well used, ones with character dripping off of them. This particular tool will come in handy in my bookwork, as well as pretty much anything else in the shop. Its a perfect size for just tossing in a bag, and I am excited to use it as much as the owner before me did, and hopefully pass it down someday. There is something really exciting to me about this thing carrying the history of the person that made it, and everything it helped create. (more…)

My latest work for Artist Books: A coptic bound piece dedicated to American Muscle Cars. The title page reads:

Great American Dinosaurs

The Muscle Cars of the 60’s and early 70’s were defined by their large engines, affordable price tag, and unmistakable style. They are, in many ways, a representation of America’s Golden Years: inefficient, yet nonetheless beautiful pieces of design and history. Times have rapidly changed, gas prices are an average of 32 times what they were in the 60’s, and these beautiful cars are becoming increasingly hard to find and expensive to maintain. As we grow exponentially closer to a time where fossil fuels are completely unaffordable, these artworks will become extinct.

This book is dedicated to the unique beauty of Muscle Cars and the designers who worked so passionately on them.

The book is 17 individual, single folio signatures with 11 sewing stations along the spine. It took me approximately one million years to bind and it tore in two small places, but overall I am satisfied with the result.

The cover was my first attempt at embossing something and I sort of wung it. I had the letterforms laser-cut from some bookboard and saved all of the negatives and counters. Then, I glued the remaining piece and counterforms on to another piece of book board, wrapped the whole thing in leather from the thrift store, and pressed it after placing the letterforms back in their respective spots on top of the leather. I think it worked out pretty nicely, though the embossed bits may be just a bit too deep. Something to keep in mind for next time.

Hit the “jump” for some more pictures! (CHECK OUT MY BLOG LINGO YO) (more…)

Photo by Tim Potter

Seriously people. Why was I not told about this? An entire show dedicated to hand made bicycles; I am not sure I can imagine anything I would rather attend. Luckily, the NAHBS has provided extensive photographic documentation of the event and the bikes in attendance. Click on through their galleries and marvel at some true works of art. For some more professional photos, check out Urban Velo’s Coverage of the show.

I am going to go mark my calendar for next year.

(via Bicycle Design Blog)