Charles van Sandwyk's artworks often blend the fantastical with the natural
world, which is reflected in his first two books being a collection of fairy
people of the forest, and a selection of 'neighbourly birds' from Canada.
I've just finished preparing a collector's guide to Charles's works, and
to celebrate today's video looks at some of his beautiful avian illustrations by
reviewing an assortment of his lovely handmade books that examine owls,
crow, parrots, and other feathered friends.
Strange birds is one of
Charles's earliest books, with pen and ink drawings of exotic birds in art and
poetry, printed off set. It features French flaps
and hand-sewn pages.
The book was released in 1991 with 700 copies in tan
paper wraps, and a further 300 in the maroon wraps.
Charles's first edition of Neighbourly Birds of the New World, Canada was
actually published in 1987 in a very small release of 120
copies. It's a collection of illustrations of different birds seen
in Canada. Robin, wren, warbler, crow, heron and pelican.
The edition shown here was actually released a bit later, in 1995.
It's based on the original book, but includes ten new color illustrations.
2000 copies were printed of this edition.
Sketches from a Tropic Isle is a collection of annotated sketches of the
Fiji Islands where Charles spends part of his time each year. The book was released in
several variations, with laid-on illustrations of a lizard, parrot, palm,
or turtle. This edition was limited to 1500 copies, with a small number also
bound in leather and embossed in gold.
Full Moon Eyes is a 2012 poem by the artist, subtitled 'an ode to the wisdom and forbearance of
owls'. It features several gorgeous owl
illustrations, and one bright Painter Mouse. The books are hand-sewn with French
flaps, and the fold-out triptych is an owlish re-interpretation of a 'Life is
art' work that was first developed in 1997. There were 2000 copies of this edition
released.
'I Believe - Two poems and a Hidden Thought' also came out in 2012. The subtitle is
printed backwards on the title page in mirror writing.
A maroon colored paper
jacket was used for the standard edition, of which 2,000 copies were
released. A limited edition of 125 copies in the green jacket also included a
copper plate etching of a crow with a Field Guide to Humans.' The book also came with
an adorable 'Literary Mouse' bookmark.
The end papers are marbled, and the ,hidden thought, is folded and sewn in
under the flaps.
'Sketches from a Dream Island of Birds' is another re-release of an earlier limited edition
book. This hands-sewn edition in the colored card wraps from 2005 features tipped-in
watercolor illustrations.
This trade edition, which was released in 2000
copies, also won an award in recognition of excellence for its superb
craftsmanship.
'Splendid Crow' or 'Life ís Art, Art is Life' is a small six page booklet that opens
out to reveal three wonderful tipped-in illustrations making a decorative triptych.
The book that was released in several different color waps and internal page
colorings, with just twenty printings of each.
Thanks for watching and I hope you
enjoyed the second video of Charles van Sandwyk's whimsical wonderful small
press artbooks. I look forward to sharing more beautiful books with you in
the future. Do remember to hit the subscribe
bell if you'd like to be notified of new videos. 'Til next time, Bye!