All of our books, despite variations in craft techniques and far flung locations, share common themes: endangered textile traditions, the life stories of indigenous artisans, and culture and place as context—those hands that shape craft and crafter. The other common thread in our books is the remarkable photography of Joe Coca. Last fall, in celebration […]
06
Sep
Sep
“Where’s Joe?” It’s a common question when on a photo shoot with Thrums photographer Joe Coca. While we’re busy interviewing artisans or admiring their textiles, Joe quietly wanders off. Sometimes to the alarm or curiosity of an author, translator, or guide. I’ve learned over many trips with Joe not to worry. He’s just out getting […]
16
Aug
Aug
Joe Coca, Thrums Books photographer extraordinaire and the author-photographer of our newest book, The Human Thread, shares some personal thoughts about his life as a photographer and the making of his book. Thanks, Joe! Last November, I started a new chapter in my life. I sold my photography studio in Fort Collins, Colorado and moved” […]
26
Jul
Jul
Still photography captures moments. I can only imagine the moments of memory Joe Coca experienced sifting back through the thousands of images in his archive, selecting just a hundred or so for his new book, The Human Thread. Working with Joe for the past forty years, I have my own memory moments, ones that weren’t […]
20
Oct
Oct
Enjoy this delightful post from Thrums Books photographer Joe Coca. Those characters at Thrums Books asked me to write something for the Thrums blog. I bet they thought I would write about photography or something like that. Well, won’t they be surprised. I am going to write about dogs because not long ago I was […]
21
Jul
Jul
I’m thinking about Paula Lerner. This woman who worked tirelessly and fearlessly in Afghanistan to tell the story of women in that desperate, war-torn country. This woman who left an archive of powerful images so we can see and remember what she saw and experienced. I had never heard of Paula Lerner until a couple […]
12
Aug
Aug
Picture This I read about glamorous photo shoots for Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, and so forth with amazement. There’s the photographer, of course. The hair person. The makeup person. The person to schlep gear. The person to hold lights just so, one to aim a fan at the model’s hair so it blows fetchingly in […]
09
Oct
Oct
The Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures in Fort Collins, Colorado, is my kind of place—a funky little enclave that showcases everything from folk art miniatures to musical instruments and handmade textiles from around the globe, all in celebration of world art and culture. What’s not to love? Last Friday, Global Village celebrated the […]
