Artist, retired teacher, still trying to keep going at 82. I decided I needed a goal. I counted up all the artists books I’ve made and/or remembered and got to 41. My list also includes current owners and at this time, I’m working on number 62. So from now on this blog will be about the books. I plan to include photos, stories about the why and how of the boo
ks and how they are made.
ks and how they are made.I have always been interested in beautiful, interesting books. Even as a child I was always looking for the best illustrations, the most colorful book. At the age of 16 I had a subscription to Flair magazine, the publication that most satisfied my quest. I wish I had those copies today. It is still probably the most amazing thing ever published. I didn’t understand what it took to publish it at that time. There were no computers and probably no six-color printing presses. I don’t know how the die-cuts were made. I never thought about die-cuts. And were there machines to assemble all the different papers, or was that done by hand? Today I understand much more about the printing process. Perhaps I will also cover some of that.
My books do not come close to my ideal, but they bring me as much joy.
Interests: Japanese gardens, photography, artist’s books, fabric arts
Habitat: Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh.
January 15, 2017
100 Books Before I Die 
Probably not. My husband was the Karlin and his family history is unclear.
Are you my friend’s relative (Ben Karlin) of IL?
Hi Ruthe,
My name is Charles Baum and I’m the son of Don Baum and Alice Shaddle. I was going through my mothers old photos of her art shows in preparation for the creation of an archive and retrospective to be held in 2024, and discovered wonderful photos taken by you of a show I think was at the North Shore Art Center of work titled From Parrot Jungle. The photos are contact sheets and I’m hoping you still have the negatives. Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi Ruthe, Sorry not to be in touch lately. I’m finishing up my last fieldwork assignment before I take a review course for my boards to become a Certified Occupation Therapy Assistant sometime next Spring. I’m jealous of you. Your book work is sensational and emotionally powerful for me. Beyond that I am concerned about your family based on the shooting in Squirrel Hill. I hope that you and yours are all safe. I will send a note to your email, but am not sure I have your most recent. All my love to you and your family. Peg Hoh