Alabama Book Festival 2011

I drove to Montgomery, Alabama yesterday to spend the day at the Alabama Book Festival.

Two of my favorite authors, Sonia Sanchez and Wayne Greenhaw, were presenting. I love this photo that I took of Sista Sonia as she was autographing her book shake loose my skin. The inscription reads: To Sister Debra- Walk your intelligence and beauty across this country, my dear sister. I've read the poetry of Sonia Sanchez since my undergrad days at Howard University. Gosh, how long ago was that? Sonia Sanchez is a treasure.

There were a few other names on the list of presenters who I wanted to hear: Rick Bragg, Natalie Chanin and Marc Smirnoff. Marc is the founder and editor of the Oxford American magazine. I was commissioned to create a linoleum block relief print for the December 2010 publication -12th Annual Southern Music Issue. Before Marc spoke, I was able to hand him a Sista Gertrude print; the impression that I made to accompany the December article written by Nicholas Rombes.

I'll close this entry with apk jr's striking red, white and blue posters. Genius.

The Oxford American Music Issue

The 2010 December issue of the OXFORD AMERICAN magazine has just hit the book stores. It's the annual southern music issue and this year Alabama music is featured. A free CD is included. My contribution to this issue is a linoleum block relief print of Sister Gertrude Morgan.

When asked if I'd be interested in tackling the job of creating a block print to accompany an article on Sista', my first thought was to say no. My plate was already full and I was just a few days away from driving to DC to participate in a Book Arts fair. I honestly didn't think that I could give the subject enough time and attention, to achieve a successful outcome. Thankfully, the design and production manager at OA forwarded an image of Sister Gertrude as a reference. That was a huge jump start for me and it shortened my time, significantly, in researching Sista'. The challenge was on!


At the end of my 9 to 5 work week, I drove directly home, pulled the shutters, locked the doors and flew into overdrive. I designed, cut and printed the block in two days. INSANE! By noon, the following Monday, the digital files were in the hands of the magazine. I made two impressions of the block. One image was printed on a bright white BFK Rives paper and a second printing was pressed onto chip board. The most difficult task was hand cutting the letters. Ouch!

Thanks to my friend and fellow printmaker Charles Buchanan for the referral.

**Note to all of the magazine editors out there. If you're looking for a lino block artist AND IF you can match the professionalism and flexibility of the design and production manager at OA . . . I'm available.