About Royal Crown Kathleen

Ever since I received my first camera, a Brownie, box camera, at the age of ten, I have been an avid photographer.  Easily able to see the world through the lens of a camera, I have taken and shared thousands of pictures. Throughout the years, I specialized in several categories of photos including: objects against a royal blue sky, unpredictable cats, flowers, cakes for all occasions and landscapes.

For many years, I saved beautiful covers from books that had fallen apart, were water damaged or worn out. Twenty years ago, I began using cloth and leather covers from damaged books to make collages. I have learned to restore and recondition book covers or parts of covers so they can be used to create new art works and be preserved.

Please do not think that I tear covers off valuable or rare books.  Quite the opposite!  What you will view in my gallery uses an old art form, book cover design, to create a new art form, book cover eco art. The book cover collages create new works of art from materials that ordinarily would be destroyed. I love saving something that would end up in the landfill. Hence, the name I have selected, book cover eco art.

In order to guarantee book cover eco art preserves the book cover design for future generations, I use archival mats and, in most cases, conservation glass.

Since I have collected over 5,000 book covers, I am able to create unique, special order theme collages, to use book covers to match your décor or to make a one of a kind gift for a milestone event.  Particularly popular in my custom orders are collages to commemorate a wedding, a retirement or a 50th anniversary. After filling in a short questionnaire, I search through my collection and select covers from your favorite books or ones that have a special meaning to you.  Often, I can include covers containing specific names, places, pets or occupations in the collages.

Throughout my artistic career, I have explored many artistic mediums: lithography, wood and cement sculpture, jewelry design, photography and collage.  As a southeastern regional artist I have received Best of Show and First Place awards in many art shows.  My work has been exhibited in libraries and art galleries in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky.

As you move through my virtual art gallery, I hope you find a treasure.