Wilds is a book artist, illustrator of children’s books and educator from Japan. Her books have been published in the United States, Japan and Singapore. During her stay at The Grand, she will put the finishing touches on a new pop-up children’s book inspired by Mother Goose called “What Are Little Boys Made of?”

Unlike a traditional book, Wilds is attempting to create a book that unfolds as one continue image that is revealed as it unfolds. The book unfolds similar to an accordion. The end of the book features a pop-out page that doubles in size once unfolded. Wilds said this was based on the Japanese art of origami, which involves elaborate paper folding.

“I want to give the feeling of surprise,” she said. “You want them to see something new. That’s why they turn the page.”

In this case, it’s about unfolding the next pages instead of turning it.

Book making artist Kazumi Wilds, holds up a draft her latest work, which she is creating during her residency at The Grand’s Cellar Press. The children’s book she is writing and illustrating will unfold similar to a pop-up book.

The images in the book are created using the reduction printmaking technique. A master block is carved. Before each layer of ink is added, Wilds carves out more of the printing block to create a new impression. It is a time-consuming process.

Wilds said the design she created for the printing block was extremely detailed and it will require a lot of careful carving.

“It will give me a little trouble, but that’s OK,” she said. “I like carving. It is kind of meditative.”

Wilds goal is to make 50 prints of her new book. For each color in the book, she will need to make at least 300 print runs using the Cellar Press equipment.

Wilds said the greatest challenge with this book is applying the text. She has worked with a letterpress before but admitted it had been a few years.

Kazumi Wilds holds up the last section her new children’s book. The last page unfolds to reveal a larger image.

“It’s a good process to relearn,” she said.

This is not Wilds first visit to Minnesota. She lived in Minneapolis 20 years ago. Her son was born in Minnesota and her book “Hajime in the North Woods” was inspired by his time as an infant.

Wilds later attended The University of Iowa Center for the Book, graduating in 2018. In 2019, Wilds returned to Japan and began teaching artist book courses, printmaking and drawing at the Art Department of Temple University, Japan Campus.

Earlier this year, Wilds learned about the Cellar Press artist-in-residence program in New Ulm from her former classmate Tegan Daly. Daly also graduated from The University of Iowa Center for the Book and now works for The Grand.

Wilds applied for the program during the summer in between semesters. This means she will not have to miss any classes.

Wilds said when she returns to Temple University in Japan at the end of the month, she will be able to show her students the new book. She said it will be a great experience to show them what is possible in only a few weeks.

Wilds praised The Grand and the Cellar Press studio for making the process so simple. The studio space is located in the same building as her apartment, allowing her to make more progress in a day.

She said it’s a very low-cost option for printing a book.

“I am very lucky to have this opportunity,” she said. “It is very valuable. It is hard to find a good studio.”

Saturday, Aug. 16 Wilds will lead a community workshop at Cellar Press in a traditional Asian bookbinding technique called stab binding.

For more information, call The Grand at 507-359-9222 or email cellarpress@thegrandnewulm.org.