Formal Additive Programs Helps Your Artistic Process

If you're the kind of person who always comes up with creative ideas — only to then get stuck in the early stages of process — or are simply curious about how artists make their work, then Nadine Nakanishi has created the book for you. In Formal Additive Programs, her first release, Nakanishi (who is one-half of the screen-printing outfit Sonnenzimmer) provides a series of instructions to help readers expand upon ideas, and also shines light on the how's and what's of running a daily art practice. "This is not another portfolio book by an artist ... or at least it’s trying not to be," she says of her 28-page work (which measures seven inches by 9.75 inches and features a hand-printed, silk-screen dust jacket).

Tonight, Nakanishi will host her book release at Quimby's. Dakota Brown, who wrote the preface to Formal, will read some of his own work; and Nick Butcher will present a musical interpretation of Formal's 18 instructional steps. If you go, take your sketchpad; Nakanishi hopes people will draw during the event.

Tonight, October 29, Quimby's Bookstore, 1854 W North, 7 p.m.