by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian
On cold winter days, many people like to have a project to
work on at home: a puzzle, a quilt, a piece of furniture. The library is hosting a workshop where you
can learn a new artistic skill, plus we have several new books that could help
inspire or guide your winter do-it-yourself project.
On Monday, January 22, Jen Anfinson will be teaching a
calligraphy workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The class will cover techniques and styles of traditional and modern
calligraphy. It’s open to adults and teens age fifteen and up, and all supplies
and equipment will be provided. The class is free to attend, but space is
limited. Sign up at the library’s front
desk or call us at (320)693-2483.
On to the books you can check out for your artistic
inspiration:
Those who enjoy drawing and
painting may be interested in If You Can Doodle, You Can Paint: Transforming Simple Drawings into Works of Art by Diane Culhan. This book encourages the artist to explore
their personal style by doodling, sizing up these small drawings, and adding
color with pencil and paint. The book is
intended to be an unintimidating way to move step by step into creating
full-sized paintings.
For a book to take your drawing in a very different
direction, look for Designing Creatures and Characters: How to Build an Artist’s Portfolio for Video Games, Film, Animation, and More. Author Marc Taro Holmes has worked on art for
video games such as Dragon Age Inquisition and Baldur’s Gate. The book focuses on creating and developing
characters visually, whether with pencil and paper or with digital art. One of my children used this book to get
started on some character design that she has continued to build on through
sketches, so I would say it is inspiring.
Hello Tokyo: 30+ Handmade Projects and Fun Ideas for a Cute, Tokyo-Inspired Lifestyle is a craft book for those who enjoy Japanese
culture. Perhaps you have a young person
in your life who is into manga or anime and would enjoy exploring whimsical Japanese
decorating and papercrafting. The author, Ebony Bizys, is an American who lives
in and blogs about Tokyo.
On the more serious crafting side, Heirloom Wood: A Modern Guide to Carving Spoons, Bowls, Boards, and Other Homewares is a basic
woodcarving book. Author Max Bainbridge
discusses wood types and basic tools, then moves on to detailed projects to
make for the kitchen.
If you’re making a piece of furniture rather than a cutting
board, the book Joinery may be what you need.
The editors of Fine Woodworking magazine have put together a
comprehensive resource for choosing the type of joint you want, designing and
cutting accurately, and solving your mistakes.
Joinery is where you can tell if a piece of furniture is made really well,
and this book claims to be able to improve the skill of the builder whether
they’re a novice or have plenty of experience.
Sewing Happiness: A Year of Simple Projects for Living Well is a combination sewing-pattern book and memoir. When author Sanae Ishida developed a chronic
illness and lost her job, she turned to her old hobby, sewing, to find success
at something. She ended up discovering
her passion. The book contains twenty projects, including household items and
children’s and women’s clothing.
Sometimes it’s actually a good thing to have a chance to
work on creative projects indoors during the winter, without feeling guilty
that the lawn isn’t getting mowed or the garden isn’t being weeded. Hibernate a bit and find something that makes
you happy this winter.
