Phyllis and I have created many conventionally published photography books. Recently, we’ve become interested in the possibility of using new technology to create a hand made, limited edition art book, reminiscent of the botanical art of earlier centuries. You’ll find some of the details of our Botanique project below. We’ve turned to Kickstarter to, well, kickstart our project and help make it a reality—and if you are interested in our idea we’d greatly appreciate your support! We our half way to our funding goal of $3,000. If the rest of the goal isn’t funded in the next 64 hours then our Kickstarter project doesn’t happen.

Project details: Botanique is an homage to the botannical art of the nineteenth century, and combines old and new craft and technology in the format of a handmade book presented on exotic surfaces. This project is conceived, designed, and fabricated by master photographer Harold Davis and well-known book designer Phyllis Davis.

The 9″ X 12″ book features 12+ plates on surfaces such as vellum, Washi rice paper, and pearlized metallic substrate. One extradinary feature is the double-wide pull-out of one of Harold Davis’s well known floral panoramas on Unryu “Dragon’s Breath” Washi Rice paper.

Botanique is presented in a presentation case suitable for display and includes a hand-signed and numbered colophon with information about the materials and processes used, as well as the edition information. The book is limited to 25 numbered copies (plus five artist’s copies).

Harold Davis states: “My wife Phyllis and I have collaborated on many successful bestselling photography books published conventionally. However, we both love using the latest technology along with the tradition of one-of-a-kind crafting, and have been experimenting with handmade art books. Botanique is a labor of love.”

Click here to view the Botanique project on Kickstarter.

Also, a very big thanks to those who have supported the project already—we are half way towards our funding goal for the project. We have less than three days to raise the other half of the original funding goals!

I’ve done my best to answer the questions I’ve been asked below! Please check out Botanique—a handmade book of art prints by Harold Davis on Kickstarter. Feel free to contact me with comments, questions, and concerns.

Q: How do I sign up?

Go to the Harold Davis botanical art book Kickstarter project by clicking this link. Click the green Back this Project button on the right. You can pledge any amount starting at $1.00.

Q: What do I get out of it?

I hope that the idea of supporting my botanical art and handmade printmaking appeals to you.

I am also offering some tangible tokens of my appreciation for your support. These start at as little as $5.00.

For example, a $100 pledge gets you a phone session with me that you could use for Photoshop tutoring (or other subject of your choice). There are a limited number of $500 pledges that get you a numbered copy of Botanique (see the question below for more information about the availability and pricing of Botanique).

You’ll see a complete list of the rewards I am offering on the right side of my Kickstarter project page.

Q: What if I’d like an incentive I don’t see on your Kickstarter project page ?

Please contact me and we’ll see what we can arrange.

Q: How will the book be priced after the Kickstarter project?

We haven’t fully worked out the pricing of Botanique following the conclusion of the Kickstarter project—but you can be assured that we will never sell it for less than the pledge prices you’ll see on Kickstarter. As is customary in the art world, we intend to price earlier numbered copies lower than the later copies in the edition. Since the edition is strictly limited (to 25 numbered copies plus 5 artist copies) it is likely that the value will go up over time.

At this point, two copies have already been committed in exchange for a $500 pledge. Via Kickstarter, there are 8 more copies available at the $500 level, 5 copies at the $1,200 level, and 5 copies at the $1,750 level.

Q: When is the Kickstarter project over? 

The Harold Davis botanical art book Kickstarter project is over on Monday August 27, 2012 at 2:55PM EDT—less than three days from now. If the funding goal ($3,000) has not been reached at that point, no money changes hands. If the funding goal has been met, then your credit card will be charged the amount you have pledged.

Q: When is my credit card charged?

Your credit card will be charged on August 27, provided that the funding goal has been met. Credit card payments are processed by Amazon.

Q: Does Kickstarter take a portion of the money I’ve pledged?

Kickstarter takes a 5% fee and Amazon Payments takes another 5% fee of all pledges that are paid for a project that has successfully funded.

Q: If I’ve sponsored you and am expecting a reward, how do I get my reward? Don’t you need my address?

Provided the project is funded, address information for each sponsor is provided to us, and we will ship your reward to you (with my heartfelt thanks!).

Q: What happens if your project raises more than the funding goal of $3,000?

It’s all good because there’s no limit to the amount a Kickstarter project can raise. Some Kickstarter projects do raise more than their initial goal, and I’m hoping that my project will be one of these success stories (we’re only a few days into the project and off to a good start already!).

Q: What about shipping rewards overseas?

The pledge amounts for the tangible awards are based on shipping within the continental United States. If you would like a reward shipped outside the continental United States please contact us for the additional shipping amount, and then add the additional shipping charge when you make your pledge.

Q: Where can I learn more about how Kickstarter works?

You can “dip your toe” into the Kickstarter universe by pledging a small amount to my project (or to someone else’s project). Here’s a short summary of how Kickstarter works, and a link to the Kickstarter FAQ.

About Kickstarter: If you are curious about Kickstarter, it is a “crowd-sourcing” platform for funding creative projects.  Kickstarter is powered by an all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands.

Some Harold Davis botanical images that will be in the art book: Check out Peonies mon amour, Red Poppies and White Irises.