HAND MADE BOOKS by Matthew James Adams

Matthew James Adams- Book Artist

Born and raised in Michigan, Matthew James Adams spent his 
winters in Lower Michigan and his summers camping and
logging in the Upper Peninsula. After reading the works of
Tolkien and Edgar Rice Burroughs the artist was drawn to
bladesmithing and iron work which he studied through high
school and college. After working as a demonstration metal
worker for Mackinac State Historic Parks Mr. Adams was
accepted as a work study student at the J.C. Campbell Folk
School in North Carolina where he studied Scrimshaw,
Jewelry, blacksmithing and Coptic bookbinding.
Trained by the noted North Carolina book artist,
Daniel Essig, Mr. Adams uses paint, paper, precious metals
and fine leather to create finely bound works of art. Coptic
binding spread throughout Africa and the near east during
the 1st to 5th century C.E. and was widely used in the
trading kingdom of Ethiopia. The binding style with its
heavy wood cover boards and exposed sewings lends
itself to a wide variety of artistic interpretation.

Matthew James Adams is a graduate of the Art and Design 
Department of Alma College in Central Michigan and is very
pleased to have his work on display at the Fire and Water Art
Studio and Showroom and at various Art Festivals in Michigan. 

These remarkable handmade books are available at Fire and Water ART.