In the last 20 years, I have driven across America four times, visiting and photographing craft distilleries. Five years ago, I traveled around the world, visiting the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and Tasmania. Other trips have included to Europe have included England, Ireland, Norway, Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Italy, visiting and photographing the full range of craft distilleries.
These trips resulted in numerous books, including 99 Pot Stills and The Nano Distillery. The database on my MacBook Air shows over 18,000 photos, most of which will never be published.
To do this book, I reviewed my photo files and culled the best images from my travels. These images were sent to my illustrator Francesca Cosanti in Italy, who translated the photographic jpegs into line drawings for the coloring book. Designer Kate Jordahl then worked with me to design and lay out the entire book.
Onward... Bill Owens
Author Biography:
Bill Owens was born in San Jose, CA September 25, 1938. Bill, with his cameras, is known as the foremost chronicler of "Suburbia," made famous with the publication of his book by that name in 1972. Bill was awarded a Guggenheim Award in 1976 and two NEA Grants in 1977 and 1979.In 1983 after working several years as a photojournalist, publishing a series of books, and producing two children, Bill began his brewing career. He established Buffalo Bill's, one of the nation's first Brew Pubs which he operated until he sold it in 1994.From 1993 to 1995, Bill published "BEER the magazine." Moved by the spirits, Bill went on to found The American Distilling Institute (ADI), the oldest and largest organization of small-batch, independently-owned distillers in the United States, which he continues to lead and cultivate.All the while, Bill has continued to make, exhibit and sell his photographs. I was born and grew up in Italy. I love to travel, not just with my mind, but to take inspiration from places, shapes, and colors.Currently, I work as an illustrator and a visual artist for publishing and advertising, collaborating with associations, companies, and agencies. My illustrations are realized mainly in digital with Mac or iPad.My creative process begins with the act of "thinking." The most complex thing in my work is to have the right idea that has to satisfy the client, the public, and, of course, me. After the idea, I realize the sketch and all its possible evolutions. I realize the sketch on paper or directly in digital. When the sketch is ok, I create the final illustration. This latter could take me away few hours of work or some days.It depends on techniques, details, setting, character number, work affinity, and color palette selection. My palette changes often, but usually, the color I use is red, a lively color that instills energy and doesn't go unnoticed. In recent years, it has become almost a "trademark" in my works. In my free time, I dedicate myself to my passions: dogs, food, swimming, books, travel, photography, and long walks. Kate Jordahl is a photographer and a professor in the Fine Arts and Communication Division at Foothill College, California, USA. She is also Co-director of True North Editions. She was the editor for "Searching for True North" with Modernbook Editions, "Native American Ceremonial Dancers," and "The Village: Bill Owens - Jamaica" for True Editions as well as the "one poem books" published with Dreaming Mind Studio. Jordahl was publisher and designer for "Cultures in Transition: Spirit Heart Soul" which features the photographs of Oliver Klink and was edited by Geir Jordahl. True North Editions was founded in 2012 to give voice to unique work by artists creating authentically. Kate Jordahl with her husband and partner Geir Jordahl work directly with artists as collaborators, designers, and editors to make photographic books of meaning.
