Marvel Gregoire: Nature’s Quintet

Marvel Gregoire: Nature’s Quintet
August 16 – October 13, 2013
MCBA Lerner Bindery Gallery

“Where thoughts go, energy flows.”

“One of the obvious references for my work on botanicals is nature. We have owned a cabin in northern Minnesota for the past twenty years. During this time we have been fortunate to observe the growth and renewal of plant life over many seasons. In more recent years, I have planted and nurtured a small wildflower garden. I take delight in this experience and in my small efforts at replenishment. Another influence has been an appreciation for the work of Eloise Butler, Minnesota botanist and preservationist. Eloise devoted a lifetime to the study of wildflowers and to bringing attention to their sensitive habitat. As part of her legacy, she also established the well known Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden for public appreciation in Minneapolis. While my contribution is small, this collection of botanical prints is devoted to her passion and commitment to bringing awareness to Minnesota flora and their habitat.

View a sampling of images from this exhibition. Refresh the page for another sampling, or visit MCBA on Flickr to view the full album.

“When I consider the book, I think about process, materials, images and ideas contained in a small package to be shared with and enjoyed by others. Whether concrete or abstract, the entire process is personal and very tangible, putting me in touch with others both past and present, here and no longer. I am the author, the artist, as well as the printer and the binder. I take great pleasure in seeing my books emerge complete from conception. A gift, the book can please in many ways, offer ideas for discussion and possibly bring about change. It keeps us in touch with others and so becomes critical to community and traditions, communication and connections, critical components in our culture today. For me, bookmaking is a delight, one hundred percent.”

The drawings, prints and paper in this series are by Marvel Gregoire. They were printed at MCBA, Minneapolis, Minnesota in the spring of 2013 on handmade cotton paper. The case and inset are letterpress printed on Flax Canal Farm Waste and Tengu-Jo paper. Marvel Gregoire has been a member of the MCBA Artist Co-op since January 2011, where she enjoys the community of artists, their support and the sharing of ideas. She is a retired teacher; when not working on her own projects, she volunteers as a tour guide at the Walker Art Center and at Minnesota Center for Book Arts. She lives with her family in South Minneapolis.