Winter Newsletter 2023 Art, Crafts & Photography

When it comes to the creative process, women must work differently. It is a fundamental, emotional, psychological difference that has been voiced time and time again by the most brilliant feminist minds. In order to create, we must destroy. The contradiction of woman as maker/monster sparked this collection from Lauren Elkin, who takes it upon herself to dissect the role of women creators in a world not meant to fit their bodies of work. 

—Nikole

Joyful, challenging, poignant, and painful, the artwork of mixed-media artist Deborah Roberts is not to be missed. Her colorful collages, which combine imagery from American history and pop culture with her own painting and drawing, challenge stereotypes, especially those formed around Black children. In her images, young faces spring forth, compelling viewers to connect with the humanity of the children, first and foremost. I highly recommend this gorgeous retrospective of Roberts’s work to anyone who supports racial and gender equality. 

—S.B.

Babs Behan’s Botanical Dyes is bursting with cool recipes and great tips for making your own natural colors. Have a blast turning plant-based dyes into vibrant prints, get back to nature, find your inner calm, and learn eco-friendly tricks to help our planet. Babs’s fun guidance, inspired by her previous book, Botanical Inks, takes you from finding and picking your botanicals to working on colorful crafts and easy projects. Terrific for beginners, with dye recipes, simple steps, quick fixes, and tons of inspiration! 

—Kristina

Those who craft know it’s sometimes a lonely and solitary hobby. Community can provide information and help us remember we’re not alone, and that’s what I found in this collection of essays by crafters of all mediums. The diverse range of stories and experiences made me feel welcome while reminding me that our experiences are as varied as the crafts and materials we use. Great as a gift for the crafter in your life or to remind yourself why we do these madcap things. 

—Jax

Phaidon’s Latin American Artists: From 1785 to Now displays on large pages more than 300 modern and contemporary artists, showcasing the breadth of work across Latin America. Covering this time period of rapid changing art movements, the vast diversity among styles is truly fascinating to page through. This extensive and craftily curated collection is a wonderful gift for art lovers. 

—Andrea

If you’re a knitter who likes timeless design with a modern touch, you will adore Knitting for Olive! I’m swooning over the sweaters, cardigans, hats, tops, and scarves within these pages. A mother-daughter team runs the Danish brand behind this book, which is filled with 20 patterns that vary in difficulty, so there’s really something for everyone. I love that the patterns are in a broad range of sizes (XS–4XL) and that the designs seem like they’ll never go out of style. A great gift for any knitter. 

—S.B. 

This powerful and profound book, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and now available in paperback, tells artist Winfred Rembert’s story, from the Jim Crow–era South to the walls of prestigious art galleries. Rembert survived harrowing ordeals and found solace in his artwork, which he took up at the age of 51 with the encouragement of his wife. His medium was tooled, painted leather, a skill he learned in prison. From vibrant scenes of Black life in Georgia to the brutalities of incarceration, it is impossible to not be moved by his truth-telling work. 

—S.B.

Every time I look at one of Chris Burkard’s stunning photos, I am transported to the setting of his latest ocean adventure. Now, with gestalten’s high-quality, linen-covered monograph, I can bask in the wonder of the natural world with every page. Whether it is here at home on the California coast, over the fjords of Iceland, or in the waves of Indonesia, Burkard brings us closer to the majesty of the everchanging oceans and asks us to be stewards as well as enthusiasts. What a perfect gift. 

—Melinda