Craig Jobson
Artist Statement: Handmade books are found at the juncture of content and process. They are often collaborations by two people who must each understand and appreciate what the other is trying to accomplish. The content is shaped by an author through the development of character and plot, economy of words, and an inevitable change of direction as the reader nears the story’s end.
I explore visual solutions compatible and supportive of the story and the author’s intent. There is a dialogue between my feelings, my intellect, and my abilities that is shaped into one voice that identifies what will further a good solution. Finally, my mind, heart, and hands collaborate to produce a book using my best abilities to design, set type by hand, illustrate, choose the right paper, print on my letterpress, hand bind, and case in, all attesting to the excellence of a story. My aspiration is to craft a paper sanctuary for each story, a place that recognizes a story’s beauty, dignity, and power, as well as creating a forceful memory for each reader made of ink on paper.
Artist Bio: Craig Jobson transformed 22 years of art direction for advertising and publishing into a passion for book arts. He began a graphic design career as an Art Director for the National Office of the American Heart Association, then as Art Director for TracyLocke/BBDO Advertising. His publishing career began as a Senior Art Director for Holt Rinehart and Winston, and finally as Design Director for McDougal Littell Houghton Mifflin.
He holds a B.A. in English Letters and Literature and B.F.A. in Print Making and Graphic Design from the University of Texas at Austin, and an M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts concentrating in Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College Chicago, where he taught for 17 years. Craig founded Lark Sparrow Press – a private press dedicated to printing works of contemporary short fiction, poetry, broadsides, and faux stamps. His published book and design work has won numerous awards and his work has been collected by many private and public institutions.
Email: craig@larksparrowpress.com
Website: https://www.larksparrowpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larksparrow2/
Shop Evanston Made: Craig Jobson, Lark Sparrow Press
2024 Studio Tour