Lance Darren Cole
Wordsmith & Storyteller
Poet/Author & Artisan Bookbinder
Wordsmith & Storyteller
Poet/Author & Artisan Bookbinder
And beauty will hold value and more likely open doors,
When keys of truth turn the locks between my heart and yours
A journey of poetic awakening born from a homecoming that transcends the ordinary. After twenty-three years away, Lance Darren Cole returned to Hamilton where the familiar landscape of his roots inspired a profound creative renaissance. Drawing from a rich tapestry of experiences through travels, artistic encounters, the embrace of nature, moments of unexpected fortune, and the inevitable challenges of life, Lance distilled these insights into verses that speak directly to the soul's deepest truths. Keys of Truth emerged as both a personal testament and a universal invitation to reconnect with what matters most.
artisan-made with love
Each journal is a unique creation, handcrafted with premium materials and designed to inspire your creative journey.
Timeless hand bound journals crafted in leather or felt in the studio of Lance Darren Cole. Having learned the ancient skill of long-stitch bookbinding in Venezia, Lance brings his creative flare for colour to personalize and individualize every edition. The pages are formatted by hand tearing drawing paper and grouping the pages in a series of separate sections stitched together. Each signature of pages is wrapped in a range of colourful and designed paper choices allowing for endless combinations. All books are signed by the maker and inscribed in cursive to the recipient and if being given as a gift will be signed, 'commisioned by' the gift giver.
the story behind the words
Lance Darren Cole was born at Mount Hamilton Henderson Hospital and has lived a creative and inspired life. His earliest poem he can remember came in grade four; it begins "Spring starts out when it's snowing, Then the grass you end up mowing." He was hooked. Making his professional acting debut at the age of seventeen on being cast in the Canadian premiere of On Golden Pond at Theatre Aquarius he has worked onstage and off ever since. Choosing the consistency of backstage service assisting performers on touring Broadway shows, operas, ballets and some big time artists: Diahann Carroll and Harry Belafonte. Inspired in the wings by a luminary of great examples working on thousands of performances on over fifty musicals and plays.
Thirty years ago Lance discovered an affinity for ancient book binding in Venice and makes custom journals which have delighted countless recipients as gifts for themselves or from a thoughtful person.
Time spent living in Montreal and Toronto exposed him to a myriad of magnificent people and moments that fed the understanding that creativity through the seven-lively-arts will bring a fulfillment not found anywhere else. Lance encourages those seeking to explore the arts to steer in the direction of your inner curiosity.