The Evolution of a Miniature Book Maker
by Barbara J. Hodik, Ph.D

Jill Timm has the unique distinction of being able to trace her interest and talent in book making as far back as the fifth grade when she created her first book from boards covered in construction paper and bound with staples. The book was a creative exploration of her interaction with a visitor from outer space who was shaped like a spoon. Later design courses at Utah State University whetted her appetite for making books, and a whimsical book based on a simple handheld pencil sharpener was quickly followed by a small book devoted to a photographic tribute to the interior and exterior essence of a pocket watch.

She was a professional multimedia, instructional and graphic designer for IBM after receiving her MFA in Computer Graphic Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. Jill took book making classes at the Visual Studies Workshop with Hedi Kyle and Scott McCarney while in Rochester. Always interested in learning from the experts, Jill had enrolled in classes from a number of book making masters. Listed in Who's Who Among Young American Professionals and Who's Who in California, Jill has rightfully earned a good share of awards and professional achievements for her work in both fine arts graphics (she's an outstanding serigrapher), book arts, photography, graphic design, and art direction. Jill has been the recipient of several grants and fellowships. She has work in corporate and University collections across the United States.

What Jill began with her first book in the fifth grade has come full circle with the establishment of her Mystical Places Press in Austin, Texas in 1998. Which then moved to Wenatchee, WA in 2002. The name Mystical Places reflects her dedication to the spirit and aesthetic of the natural environment. Her artist books are included in several consumer crafts and bookmaking books. Articles about her books have been published in the Miniature Books Society and The Microbibliophile periodicals. Her books are included in the Twentieth Century United States Miniature Books by Robert Bradbury. And in 2004 Jill's book Ship Wreck won the MBS Distinguished Book Award.

If you would like to view some of Jill's Serigraphs, click here.

If you want more details see Jill's Art Resume, click here.