Artist’s Books
K. Nelson Harper has been creating artists books since the 1970s. Over the decades she has combined her experiences with photography, graphic design and creative writing to make exceptionally innnovative books, many of which are shown here. Most are available. Please write for details.
Teach Your Children: Lessons from Our Leaders (2018)
18-page “lotus” book showing 10 “lessons” revealing the flawed thinking of our leaders as role models for children; digitally printed on Mohawk Superfine paper, bound by hand with flag-covered boards. Size: 4x4 folded.
Teach Your Children: Lessons from Our Leaders (2018) (Inside Spread, one of the ten lessons)
The Presidential Blame Game Volvelle (2019) Size: 10x10” Illustration by Taylor Daggett, 2019.
Naked, North of the Arctic Circle (2017)
Transformation book using drum-leaf binding with hand marbled pages; letterpress printed text using hand set type and polymer plates Size: 11x8”
The Presidential Blame Game Volvelle (2019)
The Presidential Blame Game Volvelle (2019)
Naked, North of the Arctic Circle (2018)
Image transformation.
Naked, North of the Arctic Circle (2018)
Letterpress text on marbled paper.
The Lad with the Golden Hair (2014-17)
This book was inspired when one of my three brothers fell gravely ill in the summer of 2014. I wanted to give him one last gift, so I decided to create for him a book of his early years, using old family photos. I told the tale as the saga of a great hero, borrowing freely from historical mythologies of various cultures. The story was informed by each photo that I found in the very large family stash, and I let the photograph suggest the narration. Unfortunately, my brother passed away before I could show him the book, but I finished it anyway as a tribute to him, making a bound copy for other family members. The original edition was all digital. I redesigned the second edition (this one) to incorporate handset type and letterpress pressure printing. The various patterns in the background recall the wallpapers throughout our childhood home.
The Lad with the Golden Hair (2014-17)
Inside spread.
The Lad with the Golden Hair (2014-17)
Cover closeup, raised stitches and surface texture.
Last of the Red Brick Lovers (2010)
Accordion book; digital imagery with letterpress printed text, set by hand. Size: 4.25x9” folded
The Hit (Bullet Hole Edition) (2001)
Letterpress printed story pages with letterpress printed overlay pages featuring quotes from stories and songs about love; bound in acrylic covers that have been shot with a 38 caliber bullet. Post bound.
“You Know I Love You, Baby, But I Just Can’t Fold You Up (1995)
Map Book with complex imagery and text, impossible to follow…
Size; 15x20 unfolded; 3x2 folded
Last of the Red Brick Lovers (2010)
Inside page, letterpress printed on Arches Cold Press paper.
The Hit (Bullet Hole Edition) (2001)
Letterpress printed story pages with letterpress printed overlay pages featuring quotes from stories and songs about love; bound in acrylic covers that have been shot with a 38 caliber bullet. Post bound.
You Know I Love You, Baby, But I Just Can’t Fold You Up (Side 2)
Map Book with complex imagery and text, impossible to follow…
Size; 15x20 unfolded; 3x2 folded