Bee, Susan.

Stray Beauty.

N.p., 2025. Item #3916

Unique artist's book in the form of a leporello, 74 x 8 in. when fully outstretched, and 2 3/4 x 8 in. when closed. There are 29 panels of images, and many images spread across multiple panels. The book is painted on handmade mulberry paper, in a black handmade paper booklet with a small clasp. The archival paper is treated with collage, ink, gouache, watercolor, crayon, markers, acrylic, and colored pencil.

From the artist: "I have been making unique leporellos or accordion books, since 2012 as part of my artist’s book practice. I relish the spontaneity of the gradual unfolding of the leporellos. I often start without a plan and gradually realize a theme. Each leporello has a different focus and title. I view the leporellos as long and extended drawings in a limited field. I use stickers and collage items that I have been collecting for many years. The leporellos feature collages, along with line drawings and paintings in watercolors and gouache. I also use colored pencils, crayons, and markers. I like tackling each leporello with a desire to be playful and to have fun. I really want the books to be amusing and colorful. It is a nice addition to my ongoing practice of oil painting, as well as a different direction from my many printed, published, and editioned artist’s books."

This leporello contains stickers, fluorescent colors, and scenes of adventures among fantastical nature and its creatures. As such, it evokes visual themes present in Susan Bee's artist's books (including Granary publications Talespin and Little Orphan Anagram) in this more free-form accordion-fold format.

An edition of one. As a result of hand-treatment, the papers have slightly expanded and the book's clasp is best left open to avoid strain to enclosure. Else fine.

Price: $1,800.00