Reflections to the Letter
This book is a collaborative project. Two artists and good friends, Jessey Ina-Lee and Diana Martens, teamed up and used their many skills to create this remarkable work. Read Jessey and Diana's comments below for an explanation of who did what and for insight into the process of how the book was created. Click here to hear an audio excerpt.
Click here or on any picture to buy the book! It's a wonderful gift to give for any holiday or special occasion or just to give a treat to someone you love!
We are in the current edition of Stylus Magazine! How fun is that? Click here to see the article! Check it out!
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Reflections to the Letter is a beautiful, thought-provoking book with stunning illustrations of each letter of the alphabet. The unusual art with its interesting shapes and pulsating, vibrant color offers an adventure into the imagination. Each letter is represented by dramatic art accompanied by a short essay. From introspective reflections on childhood experiences to interesting observations from the vantage point of a back-yard lawn chair, each piece offers an unusual perspective. This book is an inspiring look at life that will make you go hmm........ |
Below is a sample of three interior pages from Reflections to the Letter, showing a
black and white letter, the colored letter plus the layout of the essay page.
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To hear a reading from Reflections to the Letter,
click here.
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About the Artists/Author
.jpg) Diana Martens – One of my parents was an architect and sculptor, the other a musician and composer. So, when I look back at my beginnings, it's not surprising that, after my formal education in art, I became fascinated with the rhythm, structure and texture of line. Over time, I developed an unusual style of drawing black and white abstract designs using pen and ink.
The idea to draw the alphabet began several years ago when a friend casually asked if I could draw an alphabet in "my style". The idea that only 26 letters are used to make all of the words in our language has always been a source of interest and fascination. So the project began.
Using a variety of fountain pens, I began to draw letters in my sketchbook, with each of the letters taking shape and coming to life as I worked. Drawing my alphabet took place over about two years, and around the time I completed all 26 letters, two friends were expecting their first child. I thought it would be a nice gift, so I made copies and put them into a book and wrote simple, well wishing words to go with each letter. It was then that I showed the alphabet to Jessey.
Jessey liked the drawings and asked if she could try coloring one on the computer to "see what it would look like with color". The result of her "coloring" surprised and delighted me. She had transformed my black and white letter into a piece of artwork that took my breath away. Her keen sense of color goes beyond a culmination of her study in art and design. I had never seen anything like this in my years of arts management or as the owner of an art gallery. So, our collaborative work began. Somewhere along the line, Jessey started writing essays to go with each letter, and that’s how this book came about.
(If you'd like to contact Diana Martens, please email her at: dianamartens402@aol.com)
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.jpg) Jessey Ina-Lee – the Author and Graphic Designer: The first time I saw Diana's pen and ink drawings of the alphabet, I was fascinated by the unique style. The characters are alive with movement and interesting shapes. My first comment was, "It's so organic! The letters seem to pulsate with life!" Right away, I asked Diana if I could try my hand at coloring some of the letters. My background is in art/graphics, writing and education, and I couldn't wait to see what I could do with color using Diana's amazing art. I got started right away. The process was very tedious at times, but every time I finished coloring a letter, it was so beautiful I wanted to do another. During the process, doing 26 letters seemed a daunting task, but I always loved the results so much that I kept going.
Then I got the idea of putting together a book with essays, so I started digging through my years of writing and found some great ideas. The letters were inspiring, and in no time I had 26 little vignettes to go with the beautiful art. The layout of the book was the fun part because it pulled everything together into a work of art. Yes, the project took huge numbers of hours of intense work and several years to complete, but I love the result even more than I expected and am very proud to have it in my portfolio!
More books will be offered soon! If you'd like to know when books are added, send us an email at jess@womonswork.com and we'll notify you when additions are made.
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