Judging my own book by its cover.
The first edition of the Apple Pie catalogue had a white cover with a hand-drawn title. I thought it would look classy and simple. It was BORING. And I know everyone thought it was too: they were just too kind to tell me so (you know who you are).
When the Oregon Arts Commission awarded me a Career Opportunity Grant at the beginning of the year to help fund a second edition of the book, I knew that the cover was the most important revision I had to make.
So I set about creating a painting of the American flag, something I’ve done one or two times before!
But, this time, painting specifically for print and making the image that would define the look of the book, I was nervous.
I’ve never been particularly good at straight lines, but, mostly, I was trying to keep the stripes parallel so that they wouldn’t look funny on the perfect cut of the cover.
I didn’t entirely succeed, but the whole thing looked painterly, so I hoped I could get away with slightly crooked stripes!
Over the course of a few weeks, the Dynagraphics team was patient and helpful as I proofed and reproofed the book. I was thrilled with the quality of the printing: Dynagraphics far outshines the online company I used to print the first edition. Their colors and paper make my work look so pretty!
photo by David
I’d picked Dynagraphics to do my printing because I’d heard so many good things about them, but Jody and Sara and everyone there were still way cooler than I had any right to expect them to be.
It’s strange, but I almost feel more attached to this catalogue than I do to the paintings I make. Maybe its that there’s something to publishing myself in print (and so nicely!) that makes me feel officially successful and particularly proud.
The second edition is ready in plenty of time for the tour of Apple Pie to the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts in Eugene opening 1 May!
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CATEGORIES: - Apple Pie - Business of art - Process images -
(7) Comments / Commentaires: Judging my own book by its cover.
I am definitely going!! I will send out an email to the law school listserve too - let me know if there’s anything in particular you’d like me to say/include. Will you be coming down at any point to check it out? It would be nice to see you!
P.S. I actually DO love the first edition that I got (including the cover), but the second edition is quite spectacular. You have every reason to be proud! xo!
Hey, this looks fabulous. Nice work.
M: You’re the best.
K: Definitely, and I’ll be at the opening and you should come too. Everyone will stare at you and compare my painting to you…now doesn’t that sound like a fun evening? 
C: The insides are way better…and I’m only saying that because I didn’t write most of it!
Where can I get one?
Email me! They’re $25.
Megan...
I love it Gwenn! I can’t tell the lines aren’t straight!
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