Awarding Book Art

I am always excited each year to learn about the books chosen to receive awards for their artistic content. It is a habit of mind to note each year’s winners as well as runner ups. As a book collector, I have found many treasures studying these award lists.

There are several awards given for book art each year. Some are local, some regional and some international. The following are just a few of the awards that I feel are noteworthy:

The Caldecott Medal

This annual aware given by the Children’s and School Librarians Sections of the American Library Association each year is one of my favorites. If you have an interest in picture books for children that also contain excellent art, this is one award you will want to check out.

The Coretta Scott King Award

The purpose of this book award is for authors and illustrators to encourage through artistic expression the African American experience. This not only includes the graphic arts but also literature.


The Independent Publishers Book Award

This award also known as IPPY award is open for competition worldwide to all members of independent publishing industry who produce books in English for the North American Market. This award is sponsored by Independent Publisher and includes participation of about 2,000 university presses, museums and other small presses each year in the U.S. and Canada.


The Inkwell Arts Award

The Inkwell Arts Award organization promotes and educates the art form of comic book inking. They annual recognize and award the best ink arts and their work. The awards are given for inking, the art of enhancing an illustration through the means of redrawing pencil lines with ink and its related tools.


It is probably no coincidence that many of the top honored books have the same illustrator and author. Talented artists can also be great writers. A very simple method for discovering the best art work in books being produced today would be to look at the awards presented each year for excellence.



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Alexander Calder - Jewelry Maker

As my interest in jewelry making and metal crafting grows, I am finding new artists that have excelled in this area. When I think of Alexander Calder (1898 – 1976), I think about his famous moving sculptures, mobiles. I have learned that Calder worked in many different art forms. He produced oil paintings, drawings, watercolors, gouache and serigraphy. There are permanent sculptures in many cities in the country created by Calder.

You don’t’ see or hear a lot about the jewelry made by Alexander Calder. I recently discovered that he created some of the most beautiful jewelry for specific individuals as gifts or tokens. Calder’s hand-crafted jewelry seems to be very simple in design yet there is something bold and magnificent about each piece. I love that he used the simple basic metals, brass and steel to create masterpieces.

Last month, a few of Calder’s sculptural jewelry pieces were presented for sale in an auction. There were two stunning brass necklaces. Each were estimated to sale for $200,000 to $300,000. Both of the necklaces sold for over $500,000 each. Included also was a brass ring, a steel wire and silver brooch and a brass wire belt buckle up for sale. All the pieces were exceptionally beautifully and well designed. These pieces also realized exceptional sales.

Alexander Calder I believe made a tremendous impact on the world of design. If you have an opportunity to view some of the Alexander Calder’s jewelry, I am sure will agree that this multi-talented artist should be listed among the top jewelry designers.

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Saying Goodbye To Film

There has been a great deal of discussion about the demise of film for taking photographic images. The reality is that digital photography reigns. Film cameras have been on the decline for some time. The film for these cameras is slowly facing an inevitable death. It has been suggested that we will no longer have the availability of film for still cameras in about ten years.

I have to admit that being an amateur photographer I rarely reach for my film cameras today. This is mostly due to the fact the digital is more convenient and it does an adquate job of capturing the image. Today, I have a couple of digital cameras that will perform almost any task that I have a need for. Years ago, as a photo hobbyist, I attempted to reproduce the kind of work created by the great American and European photographers of the 20th century. Today, I am no longer inspired to create great works of art. I am proud of my digital images. They are quick, convenient and easily manipulated.

I think one the saddest parts about filmless photography is that most of the images taken today are not printed on paper. With the rise of use of cell phone pictures most pictures are captured for just short term viewing and in many instances deleted.

I will always enjoy viewing the work of the great photographers that have mastered gelatin silver prints like Robert Frank, Edward Steichen, Walker Evans and Edward Weston. I may still have some Kodachrome hidden away in my closet. Perhaps it’s time to say goodbye to a good old friend.


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