Feather, Leaf, Bark & Stone
By Jackie Morris
A pillow book of poems, dreams & stories typed on sheets of gold leaf.
Friday, 27 May 2022
Almost publication day
There's so many things I have wanted to write about over time, but there have been so many demands on my time, and I have guarded my painting time fiercely. I'm working hard on the Book of Birds, with the fear that even though the deadline is so far away I have so much to do.
I'm going to write a piece about Feather, Leaf, Bark & Stone for my daughter's Peregrination. As a young writer and artist and scientist she is at the stage of submitting final edits for her first book, Move Like Water. Her patreon is a way of funding her writing further, and it is beautiful. This, like Unbound, is not a new idea, but one that has been used for writers for centuries. Do take a look.
Meanwhile, there is a beautiful film from Seven Fables, made while we were at Druidstone Hotel....
Follow this link to watch the film.
I'm going to the warehouse in Basingstoke 14th June to sign the books, then up to The Sage in Gateshead to meet up with Spellsongs and complete our tour. The Gateshead gig was cancelled due to storm damage. Meanwhile, here are a few photos of the book. I have yet to feel the heft of it in the hand. After the gig I will be in Bournemouth at The Russell Coates Museum, for the Lost Words exhibition, and then at Wealden Festival to launch Feather, Leaf, with John Mitchinson.
John Mitchinson showed me a copy. He was so excited to be finally able to see whether all we had hoped for had been realised in the making of this curious object.
Meanwhile, below, a sneak peak of the design progress for Accordion Books. These should be out for the week of 8th October. And then I will start work on a hare, and maybe a hound version. Or, perhaps, owl.
I need to thank you all, for having the faith in me that I could ( I hope I have) deliver something different. I've never made anything like this before, and the making and moulding of it was a real soul's ease, which I hope transfers through to the reading and experiencing of it. Your grace and kindness and belief in me made this publication possible. So, thank you. I look forward to seeing the book arrive in your hands, where it will begin to live.
Top rewards
Trade Edition Hardback
Signed Special Edition
Comments
The book looks gorgeous. I cannot wait to hold its weight in my hands. I have passed through a similar grief (for no two griefs can be the same) during the time you wrote this, and any excerpts before on Instagram and during this Unbound process have touched my heart in strange, deep ways.
posted 27th May 2022
Your shared beach walk reminds me I need to visit the sea myself beautiful film thank you. The wide skies and light always glorious. Here in NE Scotland our coasts are similar and the light ever changing making new patterns to enjoy.
Am delighted the book is soon to be completed and look forward eagerly to its arrival. Good luck on your trip around the country I hope one day to catch you when you come up here.
posted 1st June 2022
I received my copy today (and a white wren print a few days ago), and I love them both. It’s lyrical, written by someone who loves, and cares about, language. To me, it’s poesy!
While following your updates on your journey to this book, I kept reading about how hard it was to capture the gold sheets on which you typed your poems. At first, I didn’t get the point. But now, holding the printed book in my hands: how wonderful it captures the structure and the luminosity of the gold, without any shade of “bling”… Hats off to the photographer!
A heartfelt “thank you” from the continent!
posted 14th July 2022
Thank you Olaf. The photos were taken in natural light in my garden and then manipulated by Alison O'Toole, our designer so that they held as much light and visibility in the printing. Unbound have done an amazing job in reproduction. Loving hearing how far the book is travelling.
posted 15th July 2022