Bookmaker Bob Meadows began his quest for the “perfect profession” as a teacher of art and English. His hunt leads him through other careers and studies such as graphic design, calligraphy and watercolor. It was after a weekend bookmaking workshop by Joyce Sievers at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina that Bob found the perfect choice.

Bob now devotes most of his time to his bookmaking. Using a wide variety of exotic and handmade papers, archival adhesives, wood, leather and other “stuff”, Bob brings all his various experiences to creating one-of-a-kind books in a variety of styles and forms.

My books have many beginnings. Sometimes they begin with a text or theme that speaks to me in some way, whether it amuses me, makes me think or simply has a beautiful sound and readability. Sometimes a new exotic paper or piece of jewelry from a resale shop will spark an idea. Or it might be a new book forma that I want to try that suggests a text. Whatever the origin, the format, text, tools, materials and accessories slowly come together to create a book that hopefully speaks to the reader as it did to me.