No Judging These Books’ Covers

Sept. 21, 2014

To Pam Yee, books are more than what’s printed in them. The Benzie County artist uses old books as an art medium to collage, glue, paint, burn and fold.

"Each page is a blank canvas," she said. "Altered books beg to be touched, the pockets want to share their secrets and the folds opened. This is an art medium that young and old can use to express themselves or use as therapy for issues in their lives."

Yee grew up in Detroit where she attended Cass Technical High School with friend Ron Gianola, a noted artist in his own right.

After graduation the two didn’t see each other until both attended their 10-year reunion.

They began dating and eventually wed. In 1990 they moved to their home on the shores of the Platte River.

HOW I GOT STARTED

I’ve been creating art for years. I started making cards for the holidays and have never stopped. I began making altered books in 2000 and work in mixed media now. I make journals, artist books, greeting cards and, on occasion, I have ventured into jewelry and furniture.

THE STORY BEHIND MY ART, MY INSPIRATION

I wanted to give a card that was personalized, so I began making my own. My words, my images, to you, from me.

I am a recycler and that’s how I find pieces for projects. I look on the ground, in hardware stores, at yard sales "¦ you never know what you might find that could be used in a project.

WORK I’M MOST PROUD OF

Sharing. Teaching. I have been invited to teach in the Talented and Gifted program at Central Grade School in Traverse City.

As a guest artist I have taught at Frankfort High School, talked to Suttons Bay students, and worked with students from Frankfort Elementary in conjunction with the Oliver Art Center and Frankfort Middle School. I taught at the Dennos Museum, Artcenter in Traverse City, Interlochen Public Library, Crystal Lake Art Center and the former Drop In Center. I also stop by the Goodwill Inn to teach altered book techniques.

In Hawaii, I share my love of art with friends. I have given talks to Friends of Michigan Libraries in Indian River and to the Glen Arbor Art Association Artist Talks series.

YOU WON’T BELIEVE

I used to hand-make 120 Christmas cards in varied styles. I get bored with repetitious art. I’ve cut my list down.

I took a sky dive out of a plane a mile up in Hawaii and floated down over the ocean. It was the most peaceful time of my life, not to mention the most beautiful.

Also, I organized the 20th, 25th and 30th class reunions for Cass Tech in Detroit from my home in Benzie County.

MY FAVORITE ARTIST

Rene Magritte, who does collage composition, and my husband, Ron Gianola, for his color composition.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS

Just do what you feel. At our family Christmas dinner I bring art supplies and projects for my nieces and great nephews to play with. They are so excited to make something to take home.

My niece, Mia, draws, sings and plays piano. Her parents encourage her. She made coasters for us last year. When my nephew was young, he was interested in the calligraphy I wrote on the Christmas cards I made.

You never know what might pique a little one’s interest or catch their eye.

MY WORK CAN BE SEEN/PURCHASED

My work has been shown in the Traverse Area Artcenter, Jordan Valley Art Council, Traverse Area District Library, The Next Door Gallery in Leland, Uptown Gallery in Grand Haven, Benzie Shores Library, Interlochen Public Library, Crystal Lake Art Center, Beulah Public Library, The ARTbar Studio and Gallery in Santa Ana, Calif., The Visual Art Center in Sioux Falls, SD, the Downriver Council of the Arts in Taylor, Mich., the Dennos Museum and the Oliver Art Center.

I show my work occasionally and don’t sell it. I make art and share with others by teaching, which gives me great pleasure.

My heart sings when I hear someone say, "I took her class and I went home and made another book."

Yee teaches private groups; contact her at pamyeealoha@gmail.com.