Touching is a two-book variable edition of one-of-a-kind acrylic marbled and suminagashi papers, bound by Sarah Smith utilizing a custom book structure that combines pamphlet and accordion binding. The book was published by Small Editions in 2018. The marbling in the book was created at a time when I had moved beyond the beginner’s luck of just learning how to marble, but had not yet gained any kind of mastery. It was also made during a time (2016-2018ish) when I was starting to use marbling combs to make traditional patterns. The book marks a time in my practice where I was trying to keep a spirit of discovery and surprise while also becoming familiar with the craft in a way that inhibited the way my earlier surprises came about. This book captures some very strange and uniquely beautiful papers that were made trying to break through to the other side of this moment.

When the book is open, you are able to look at up to seven patterns at once - two large pages, two small pages, two marbled papers used to create tiny accordion hinges, and one strip used to affix the suminagashi pamphlets to the center of a section. A true cacaphony. 

The larger sections of the book are acrylic marbling, adapted from European patterns and techniques, which themselves evolved from marbling found in Central Asia and Turkey. The smaller booklet sheets are Japanese suminagashi, the oldest form of marbling, made with ink on water. The suminagashi is made on a selection of Japanese washi. The acrylic marbling is made on custom Dieu Donne paper. The book is housed in a custom foil stamped slipcase.