This photo served as a resource for one of the relief blocks I carved and printed.
Fallen ginkgo leaves.
The incised bird image on this tombstone inspired one of the relief prints in the book.
Carving the block based on the little incised bird.
Making the pressure plate.
Resources used throughout the printing of the book - model of book, pressure plate of ginkgo leaves, copies of the verses I wrote and re-wrote, dried and pressed ginkgo leaves, and of course my mechanical pencil!
Blocks set in the press bed for printing. I used the block and type on the left for the opening page of the book.
Various printed pages.
Sewing; I was delighted with how the teal ink printed on the teal Bugra paper. I was also relieved with how the pressure printed ginkgo leaves worked as a foundation for the text.
Enclosure cards; one of these accompanied each packaged book.
I am relieved and overjoyed to have completed this project. Honestly, I am a bit sad to not have this ‘friend’ to work on each day.
I am most grateful to have applied for and received the funds to complete Walking the Green Hill. Thank you Arts Council of Greater Greensboro and the North Carolina Arts Council for awarding me this grant!!!
I was awarded a Project Grant from the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro and the North Carolina Arts Council in November of 2025. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with joy. I was also aware that an idea I had been pondering for several years would now become a reality.
I have walked throughout and explored the Green Hill Cemetery in Greensboro for over thirty years. The project I undertook was to complete an edition of 75 letterpress printed pamphlet bindings about my daily walks. I took photographs within the space. These served as resources for drawings and subsequent relief prints. Additionally, I wrote verses reflecting on what I saw and experienced while walking.
I will share some details about the journey I experienced as a result of submitting this proposal.
There are numerous ginkgo trees in the Green Hill. They line the road I like to call ‘Ginkgo Biloba Boulevard’. I took this photo in the fall when the leaves were golden yellow.
I have seen hawks, crows, bluebirds, woodpeckers, and other birds and wild life in the cemetery over the years. The images I’ve shared are a tiny fraction of what I see on my walks throughout the place.
Carving the block based on the entry gate into the cemetery.
Carving a block of ginkgo leaves. I printed this image on the cover of the book.
Carving a blue bird block for the fold out section.
Set type forms and one of my composing sticks. This tool is used to hold forms while setting type.
Carved blocks, ready to print.
Marking the sewing stations and preparing to sew this pamphlet.
Printed bluebird on ginkgo pressure print. I placed this foldout in the center of the book. Text was printed on the reverse side. Summer is viewed when the reader turns to this page (refer to image of page being sewn).
Spines of sewn editions!
All sewn up!