I made I Love You Always, All Ways to remember—
to make sense of what it means to be a son, a father, a body carrying time.
It began as a letter.
Then became a mirror.
Then became a way to hold what words couldn’t.
I Love You Always, All Ways is a photobook in three acts—part letter, part archive, part offering.
A quiet meditation on fatherhood, legacy, and becoming.
Debuting @printedmatter_artbookfairs LA Art Book Fair this May.
Follow along for more soon.
Designed and published by @work_play
Edition of 300
Softcover
16.5 Ă— 10.75 in
104 pp
#byjulienjames #ILoveYouAlwaysAllWays
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#ilyaaw #photobook #art #design #fatherhood #life #fatherlove❤️ #family #artbook
Sometimes you need a little distance from your own life to understand the road you’ve been walking. Time has a way of clarifying the path.
Lately I’ve been revisiting the images that became I Love You Always, All Ways.
Time does something strange to work once it leaves your hands. You start to see the person who made it — what they were trying to understand, what they were still becoming.
If you’re new here and haven’t come across the book yet, it’s a project about lineage.
Three generations of men — my father, myself, and my son, Maison.
It’s about fatherhood, inheritance, and the quiet ways love moves through time. The versions of ourselves we leave behind. The ones we grow into.
Looking back now, the book feels less like something I made and more like something that helped me understand where I come from — and what it means to stand between a father and a son.
I Love You Always, All Ways
Available at the link in my bio.
Designed and published: @work_play
#byjulienjames #photobook #fatherhood #family #photography
Case study 002: This pair of 1970’s Chunky Tubular Chrome Sling chairs are reupholstered in a speckled woven fabric, bringing a contemporary spin to timeless heirloom pieces. The third slide shows a before pic.
📸 @justinmikhailsolomon
Case study 001: Wrapped in a geometric ikat fabric, these wooden arm chairs are reupholstered with the face side of the traditional fabric, while the armless Danish-style chairs are wrapped in the reverse side of the same fabric providing a contrast to these vintage pieces.Â
📸 @justinmikhailsolomon
In today’s political landscape, every uncalculated move can prove to be a perilous and costly one. Our latest book entitled Gabriel’s Horn will be our studio’s last publication delving into a topic of this type. This book was forged for the marginalized, the oppressed, and those seeking to establish collective and personal autonomy. This book is replete with transcribed speeches, imagery, prophecies, writings, and revelations on how to move forward given the current circumstances. Link in bio. #Gabriel’sHorn
Another year around the sun has brought moments of pause and contemplation to the fore. I could not help but to think about the loss of both of our fathers back-to-back, the striking messages contained within Julien James’ book, and the sheer will to persevere.
For starters, publishing is not for the faint but this new project really made us celebrate the overlapping communities we are closely connected to that continually inspire, show up, and prove.
Julien’s book has been far different than any other self publishing project we’ve ever worked on—just by subject matter alone. It was wholly cathartic and served as a departure from previous processes regarding the intersection of design and publishing. We definitely wore several hats—logistics, sourcing, distribution, design, and the list goes on. I Love You Always, All Ways is the sum total of inspiration, manifestation, and a beautiful confluence of thought between Julien James, his family, and our studio. There are unseen aspects of this publishing project that served as catalysts. For starters, the conversations, the intentionality woven throughout, and the communal efforts of family and friends to keep ALL of us going despite the difficult challenges on the road to the finish line.
Every single element of this book were treated as equal parts. From the story, to the design, to the images, reworking and redesigning, and even the documentation. We grew up in households where we were taught “it takes a village” and this project really amplified that train of thought. Our dear friend Justin Solomon, who answered the call to beautifully document Julien’s book, is testament to that communal effort. And to those of you that supported all of our collective efforts, we thank you!
We have a longstanding mantra in our studio—“DO FOR SELF”. No silent investors. Just us. Because we truly felt like this was a story that deserved to be handled with care and widely shared. #papersarchive
To our Bay Area homies, we are touching down in SF for the San Francisco Art Book Fair which opens on July 10. Swing by booth A31 and come holler! 🤙🏿
Current offerings:
“I Love You Always, All Ways” by Julien James
“Study of hand with a bird III” puzzle by Awol Erizku
“North Hollywood Hop” puzzle by Valerie J. Bower
MOFA hat by yours truly!
Documentation by @justinmikhailsolomon and @brandon_bandy
“I Love You Always, All Ways” is a large-format artists’ book by photographer Julien James which is a story told in three separate parts. Collectively, they explore interconnectedness, the spirit of boyhood innocence, the evolution of fatherhood in his family, and community, all through the lens of his son, Maison.
Collect limited edition at workplay.metalabel.com
To our LA homies, the LA Art Book Fair is only a few days away and we have some new offerings. We will be posted at booth B1 at 950 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
New offerings are as follows: “I Love You Always, Always” by Julien James
Documentation 📸 by @justinmikhailsolomon
“North Hollywood Hop” puzzle by Valerie J. Bower
“Study of hand with a bird III” puzzle by Awol Erizku
Words cannot explain the incalculable amount of grief that we are experiencing at this time. We are extremely thankful to those of you that have checked on us, offered a listening ear, and offered assistance. Having community that truly cares about your well being has helped us during this process.
I’ve inherited my father’s charm, wit, warmth, and gregarious nature. Our cousins would jokingly call me his twin. I KINDA see the resemblance. lol
To my beloved father, you have instilled a plethora of values into every fiber of my being. Though you showed me tough love, I later realized that deep down, you were pushing me to expand and be my best self. You sir, have been in service to this country, a host of family members, strangers, and your grandchildren. You can now rest and join your ancestors. You have done an amazing job! I know energy does not die nor can it be destroyed but it’s redirected to the original source. I hope I’ve made you proud. 🕊️1939—2024🕊️