simplemente maria press was founded in 1995 by Mary Heebner with the publication of Old Marks, New Marks. The press unites inspirations from travel with the groundedness of studio-based work and the art of papermaking by creating handmade books that couple visual art with the written word. Heebner’s artwork and writing, as well as collaborative endeavors with poets such as Pablo Neruda, Alastair Reid, Michael Hannon and Sienna Craig, are integrated into the design, concept, and substance of each book produced by the press.

Artist’s books from simplemente maria press are in several private and public collections. These include: The National Gallery of Art, The John Paul Getty Research Institute, The University of California, The Library of Congress, Cornell University, The US Chancery (Moscow), The British Library, Stanford University, Swarthmore College, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.




“ I try to notice what is vivid about an idea and link that with a sensual and well-crafted process.”

MH

checklist of publications

The Tragedy of Hamlet: An Artist’s Interpretation of the Classic Text by William Shakespeare

Includes the Hamlet series of twenty pigment prints, handmade paper throughout, and an “actors” copy of the complete text of the play printed letterpress, placed in a handmade clamshell box with leather spine stamped with gold.
16.5” x 13” x 2” Edition of twenty copies. $6500.00 15 copies remain

A Sacred Geography: Sonnets of the Himalaya and Tibet

A collaboration between Heebner and her daughter, anthropologist Siena Craig. 12 sonnets by Craig on handmade pulp-painted paper with reader’s chapbook-format alludes to traditional Tibetan texts. Letterpress with debossed drawings in handmade paper
9” x 20” x 2” Edition of 25 out of print

**chapbook only, letterpress 12” x 6” (with two original watercolors) Edition of 100 $395.00 40 copies remain

On the Blue Shore of Silence: Poems of the Sea by Pablo Neruda

Twelve direct pigment prints of collage paintings inspired by the Pacific Ocean were created after visits to Pablo Neruda’s Isla Negra home in Chile. Prints are paired with a selection of twelve poems of the sea by Pablo Neruda, in Spanish with English translations by Alastair Reid, printed letterpress on translucent handmade linen paper. These tri-part folios are gathered in an individually pulp-painted chemise, and placed in a wood and cloth box, 15.5” x 12” x2”. Letterpress booklet introduces this edition of 50 copies $3000.00 12 copies remain

Deep Thermal

A portfolio featuring six archival signed and numbered pigment prints by Mary Heebner that inspired six new poems by Clayton Eshleman, printed letterpress on 13"” x 17” sheets of grey Rives paper, in an edition limited to 26 copies, signed by both the artist and poet.
Edition of 26 $1200.00 10 copies remain

Full Lotus: Sketches from Ayutthaya

Accordion-folded prints of site-sketches drawn at the ruined capitol of Ayutthaya, Thailand, embellished with graphite and watercolor; insert of letterpress text and images by Heebner on handmade Daphne paper, in paper slipcase.
1” x 5” x 5” Edition of 50 $550.00 25 copies remain

The Bayon Sketches: Journal from Angkor

Two accordion-folded direct pigment prints from site sketches drawn at Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom, Cambodia, text insert with journal notes, wrapped in a silk khataj, a ceremonial Buddhist scarf, inside a folded paper box.
1” x 5” x 5” Edition of 20 $300.00 3 copies remain

Seeking the Open Heart

Ten pigment printed images from paintings made in response to ten poems by California poet Michael Hannon. Letterpress, hardbound and slip cased with handmade paste-painted covers.
9” x 9.5” x 1.5” Edition of 75 $850.00 40 copies remain

Scratching the Surface: A Visit to Lascaux and Rouffignac


Six original paintings and text after Heebner’s invitation from the Minister of Culture to visit Lascaux cave and other Paleolithic sites in France. Journal notes printed letterpress on handmade paper. Paintings tipped in, within ochre pigmented handmade paper chemise. Etched plexiglas slip case 12” x 10” x 1.5” Edition of 10 $3000.00 out of print

Folio No. Two, Broadside from Scratching the Surface. 2003
Edition fifty, 90.00 unframed, 175.00 framed.
Direct pigment print with letterpress text from original artists book, on Fabriano Uno paper. Signed and numbered.

Western Trilogy: Ocean, Desert, Prairie & Western Trilogy: Mountain, Canyon, Dune

Each set contains 45 original watercolor paintings tipped onto accordion folded book, with artist’s essays excerpted from Western Horizon, a book of photos, sketches and essays on the American West (Everton/Heebner, 2000: Abrams)
6” x 5” x 5.5” Each Trilogy is printed in an edition of 20 $2500.00 Both Trilogies out of print

Island: Journal from Iceland

Twelve archival pigment prints of Iceland-inspired monotypes with text from Heebner’s travel journal printed letterpress on translucent handmade abaca paper, Kyoseshi chemise wrapper, hand-drawn map, in Plexiglas case.
14” x 11” x 1.3” Edition of 60 $950.00 11 copies remain

Old Marks, New Marks

Clamshell box with original handmade paper collage and in a recessed well an offset chapbook with reproductions of artist sketches and paintings with essay, “The Earth-Centered Art of Mary Heebner and artist’s text referencing visits to early cave art sites and her painting process.
11.5” x 10” x 1” Edition of 40 $750.00 3 copies remain

 

Books currently available from simplemente maria press may be ordered directly.             

We accept checks, Mastercard, and Visa

simplemente maria press
914 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101
T. 805 9622497 F. 805 8981458
sales@maryheebner.com

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Commissions Upon Request