Two years ago while visiting Craig Jensen in Texas, I was recommended a visit to Priscilla Spitler’s studio located in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. With my itinerary already planned for the forthcoming year, it was impossible to drive to the cool desert climate at that specific time.
Last October, after an exchange of emails with Craig, I was introduced to Priscilla remotely and prepared my way from Texas to the one town that changed its name from Hot Springs to Truth or Consequences as the result of a radio show contest in 1950.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Making my way to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
I relished standing outside and viewing Priscilla’s private studio, a beautiful structure reminiscent of a tiny home. Priscilla has downsized in her creative space, which reflects her production binding projects. I was welcomed by Priscilla and we spoke about her thirty years of experience in hand bookbinding and how this challenging craft provided her the freedom to express her artistic design.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Priscilla’s studio.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Priscilla’s studio filled with the tools of the trade and cloth of all colours.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Priscilla’s studio with an Adobe style structure.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Priscilla sharing her current binding edition work.
“As a collaborator of book production, my hands have sewn, bound, and assembled thousands of edition books and boxes. It has exposed me to extraordinary people and students who share the love of the handmade book.” Priscilla Spitler
While we sat at ease talking, I was intrigued by an exhibition catalogue entitled “Drop Dead Gorgeous - Fine Bindings for La prose du Transsibérien Re-Creation” on her worktable. Priscilla showed me the catalogue with an explanation of the exhibition of the same name. She continued to accurately explain her book structure and the work load it took to finish an entry piece for the show. The traveling exhibition titled DROP DEAD GORGEOUS: Fine Bindings of La Prose du Transsibérien Re-creation, opened at the UCLA Library Special Collections last October 2019. The organized exhibition featured the work of twenty-two design binders, including Priscilla Spitler, Don Glaister, Monique Lallier, Midori Kunikata-Cockram and Patricia Owen.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Priscilla’s studio and home have a very distinct personality that is felt throughout her work.
After an informative tour of Priscilla’s studio space, we moved to the room where she traditionally focuses on her own art bindings. Priscilla’s extensive work incorporates goatskin onlays recessed on leather panels, gold and blind tooling, paint and stenciled acrylic, pastepaper décor, cut foil stamping technique, and endpapers personally decorated.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. This is one of Priscilla’s unmistakable designs incorporating collage, print, and colours.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Priscilla’s exploration of alternative book structures.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. “Remembering Jan Sobota” by Priscilla Spitler. Honoring Ladislav R. Hanka, Remembering Jan Bohuslav Sobota, this book contains original fish etchings; bound in two colors of gray Hewit and Harmatan goatskin leathers in a laminate case; decorated with three fish designs made with stamped, cut foils and a silver stamped title. Paste papers by Priscilla.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. “The Eagle Jaguar and the Serpent” by Priscilla Spitler.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. “Anatomy” by Priscilla Spitler.
© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Pricilla explaining the work involved in her book “In the Garden”.
The ease and beauty of Priscilla’s work is inspiring. Her workshops are available throughout the year. A great experience talking and knowing Priscilla — many thanks for a wonderful afternoon.