I love making these books because they instil a wonderful feeling of tranquility and calm.

Serenity

Size: 21 x 10 cm

Materials & Technique: flag book; photographs, with symbols and computer-printed text on card

Price: $20 (AU) + postage

Description: Looking at this book provides a tranquil interlude in the chaotic pace of modern life. The photographs were taken during my holidays in the Daintree region of north Queensland, and at Mount Tamborine in south-east Queensland. The natural beauty of these areas is breath-taking and encourages meditation and reflection. Trickling water, majestic trees, beautiful cloud formations and open stretches of beaches and countryside have been prized by mankind throughout history as restorative balms for troubled souls.
The accompanying quotations reinforce the need to have patience and adopt a slower pace. The symbols all signify peace and tranquility in different cultures. The words on the back cover translate as SERENITY, PEACE and TRANQUILITY.
This blending of symbols and words from many cultures from all over the world, combined with the thoughts and insights expressed by various philosophers and scholars throughout history, flanked by the local photographs which highlight the beauty of the natural world, epitomise the universal longings of all people to experience periods calm, quiet relaxation in the midst of our hectic lifestyles.

Japanese Garden Reveries Size: 16 x 10 x 1.5 cm Materials & Technique: stab-stitched book; photographs, hand-lettered haiku printed on card Price: $50 (AU) + postage Description: This book celebrates the beauty of the Japanese Garden, which was reconstructed at The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha following World Expo 88. My sister Alison Horsley wrote evocative haiku poetry, which was hand-lettered to accompany the photographs. The book is bound in a traditional Japanese-style exposed-stitch binding.

This book is also available in a commercially-printed version ... shown here with the hand-made version of the book for comparison

Size: 20 x 15 cm

Materials & Technique: printed photographs and coloured hand-lettering

Price: $13 (AU) + postage

Sea Balm

Size: 5 x 7 cm (closed)

Materials & Technique: concertinas book; individually painted and hand-lettered on watercolour paper

Price: $30 (AU) + postage

Description: This little concertina book contains a quote about the soothing and inspiring nature of the ocean. The lettering is written in a loose flowing style to echo the gently-rolling motion of the waves.