Japanese Paper-Making & Bookbinding with Anne Covell
Anne Covell at Willow Pond SLO, July 24th-27th 2025
Anne Covell’s work investigates the intricate and often fraught relationship between humans and the natural world. Always political—though not always overtly—Anne’s book art delves into the uniquely human impulse to claim and control land that is, by its very nature, communal. In her study of traditional Japanese crafts and through a lens that is both critical and poetic Covell seeks to uncover beauty. At the heart of this inquiry lies a fascination with the quiet, resilient ways in which nature adapts and responds.
We are looking forward to this upcoming JULY workshop and hosting Anne Hovell for a rare opportunity to study the sacred art of Japanese Papermaking and bookbinding. Over 4 rich and engaging days in the studio, Covell will build upon skills learned each session, creating a cohesive body of work that honors the materials, methods, and aesthetics of Japanese bookmaking. Day 1 is an introduction to the captivating world of Nagashizuki papermaking. From fiber preparation to sheet formation, students will learn to press and dry paper using time-honored techniques, crafting each sheet by hand. Day 2 shifts focus to the art of paper decoration, exploring traditional dyeing methods such as brush and dip dyeing with natural Japanese dyes like indigo, clove, and persimmon tannin (kakishibu). Students will have a rare chance to delve into burnishing and embossing techniques using carved stone and wood blocks, as well as the ancient techniques of shibori(resist dyeing) and momigami (kneaded paper), which transforms paper into richly textured, leather-like sheets.
By day 3 students will use their handcrafted decorative papers to bind three styles of traditional Japanese books: the ledger, multi-section, and stab binding. Each structure is taught with attention to historical detail and practical craftsmanship. Day 4 is dedicated to creating a two-flap Japanese portfolio with classic bone-clasp closures. This elegant case is designed to house the books and papers created throughout the week, tying the experience together into a refined and finished collection.
By the end of the unique intensive, twelve lucky students will leave this workshop with a collection of hand-bound books housed in a custom-built Japanese portfolio, as well as a stack of luscious hand-dyed decorative papers to use for further exploration.
About the Artist
Anne Covell is a book artist, edition bookbinder, and hand papermaker. She holds an MFA in Book Arts from the University of Iowa Center for the Book where she was the recipient of an Iowa Arts Fellowship, and an MA in Library and Information Science & Graduate Certificate in Book Studies from the University of Iowa where she was a Robert A. Olsen Fellow in Special Collections. She studied Asian and Western papermaking techniques with Timothy Barrett, and has taught for numerous educational institutions including the Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory, Penland School of Craft, and the University of Georgia study abroad program in Cortona, Italy, among others. Her work has been exhibited internationally and can be seen in an expanding list of private collections, special collections libraries, and museums worldwide. Covell lives and works out of her home studio in La Mesa, California.
