Almost Home

Boston, MA, 2014. Artist's book, 1 of 8 copies, all on rice paper, each signed and numbered by the artist, Laura Davidson. Page size: 9 x 7.25 inches; 6 original full-page linoleum block prints, with hand-lettered colophon page, with small print incorporating the "A" from the title, ALMOST HOME, that is also an artist's statement. Bound: loose as issued, housed in blue-grey cloth over boards clamshell box, the small block print on the colophon repeated on the front panel ob box, decorated label on spine. The prints are housed in a tan paper wrapper that is cut with the silhouette of bridge suspension cables with the same small print from colophon collaged to front wrapper. The linoleum block prints are printed on an antique Kelton Press by the artist in two colors. The artist writes, "Each of these bridges represents a movement in time when we've almost made it to our destination. They are landmarks on a leisurely evening stroll or a white-knuckle drive across a vast expanse of water at the close of a long day. The are magnificent steel structures that bring to mind the places and family at our journey's end. The beauty is in the crossing. We are almost home." The bridges included are Boston's Zakim, Congress Street and Northern Avenue, New York's Brooklyn Bridge, Michigan's Mackinaw Bridge, and the International Bridge connection Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Canada." Laura Davidson has taken a personal reminiscence as the basis for this lovely book. Universal thoughts - visual signs we are nearing home - are translated into visual images that reach us all. An unexpectedly touching book and visual treat.