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An exhibition of artist books by Rebecca Goodale was comprised of images and texts about Maine’s rare flora and fauna. Each book in this exhibition was made with a particular purpose–about a single species, seasonal narratives, or interrelated species or habitat.  The books are poetic interpretations of various subjects portrayed on pages that are filled with color and pattern originating from Goodale’s background in textile design.

By working thematically for over a decade, she developed a vocabulary of methods, materials and innovative forms while simultaneously doing her own brand of field work. In order to gain a better understanding of each plant or animal that will become a part of her next book, she wanders into the woods, plains, mountains and marshes by herself or with local naturalists. She draws at entomology labs, rehabilitation centers and wildlife parks, and in the winter she visits various herbaria.

In the studio, Goodale designs the structure and content of each Artist’s Book through a series of rough drafts, dummies and models. Most of the work is then printed and bound in small limited editions by the artist in her studios in Portland and Freeport.

The Maine Women Writers Collection at UNE holds one of the largest collections of Goodale’s work in the United States. Her books can be found in many other institutional collections including the Bowdoin College Library; Library of Congress; Portland Museum of Art; State Art Museum of Hawai’i; the Fogg Museum Fine Art Library, Harvard University; and the Herron Art Library, IUPUI, Indianapolis.

Rebecca Goodale has been an adjunct professor of art, teaching book arts and design, at the University of Southern Maine for over 30 years.  She is also the faculty director of USM’s Book Arts at Stone House, and the program coordinator for USM’s Kate Cheney Chappell ’83 Center for Book Arts.