As an artist, I recognize my world and the many hours I spend on administrivia. The constant disruption of non-stop tasks is troublesome but necessary. I schedule my creativity in between the repetitive tasks and hope there is enough time to finish what delights me.

Apart from the creativity and the operation of a business, it’s meaningful for me to have my published books acquired by collections. How do you manage this part of your art world? How do you create opportunities to sell? Communicating and visiting libraries is all part of the fun side of the territory. The artist is likely the optimum person to talk, explain or promote hers/his work. The creator knows all the details, the frustrations, and the stories behind the wonderful final product—the artists’ book.

I benefited from the privilege of engaging with other dealers in the past. I still pursue an excellent relationship with Vamp & Tramp, Booksellers, LLC out of Birmingham, Alabama.

I discovered that presenting your work is a bit of an adventure. I enjoy seeing the expression of someone reading/viewing my book for the first time. Since some of my books exhibit a playful aspect, the smiles and laughter are inspiring. Traveling and meeting with librarians in the previous year contributed to my self-reflection and recognition of who I am as an artist.

In the Spring, I reached out to Katherine Krzys, Archivist, Interim Head of Distinctive Collections Curator at the Arizona State University Library. The artists’ book collection includes small-print publications created as works of art, exemplifying the importance of collaboration between a writer, artist, papermaker, and printer. Katherine was interested in Entre deux and La Guadalupe and purchased both for the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library. deux and La Guadalupe and purchased both for the Rare Books and Manuscripts Library.

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, Vernon Alden Library, Ohio UNiversity in Athens, Ohio

In June, I visited with Michele Jennings at the Vernon Alden Library of the Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. I was fascinated by what books attracted Michele. I received an email just the other day that Michelle was interested in adding 26NOV2006 to the Arts and Archives Library collection.

I communicated with Jessy Randall, Curator, and Archivist of The Tutt Library of the Colorado College in Colorado Springs. The library maintains collections of rare books, special editions, manuscripts, and published archival material on Colorado. Two volumes of City Shields that include manhole covers around Denver, Vail, Highlands Ranch, and Colorado Springs were added to Special Collections.

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, Tutt Library at the Colorado College in Colorado Springs

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, City Shields, Colorado volume 1

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, City Shields, Colorado volume 2

At the beginning of July, I met with Holly Prochaska, MLIS Preservation Librarian of The Robert A Deshon & Karl J Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. The DAAP Library acquires examples of works in order to provide a rounded view of contemporary attitudes towards the book and to inspire students to think outside the book. Holly is a welcoming individual who also creates artists’ books. In the end, Holly purchased Xtraction and City Shields—the nine Ohio volumes for the Special Collection.

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, an exhibition of globes at The Robert A Deshon & Karl J Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, display of artists' books at the DAAP Library of the University of Cincinnati. A book by JoAnna Poehlmann attracted me with its delicate detail of a tulip, just gorgeous! On the last shelf is the Bon Bon Mots of Julie Chen.

© 2006 Louise Levergneux, City Shields, Ohio volume No 5

Excited when reading obsession, Holly decided to add a copy for her own personal collection.

One can never expect to land a sale while visiting a library; but I have been surprised at the response to my publications.

Enjoy your visit and contacts when you can, since it is the best part of the business of art, apart from creating your work.

I’m visiting the state of Ohio this week, a familiar area from when we lived in Stow for three years between 2004-2007. This period has allowed me the time to write, think of book structures and do some photography.

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, Restaurant Salaam's door handle, Athens, Ohio — © 2018 Louise Levergneux, Restaurant Salaam's door handle, Athens, Ohio

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, Athens County Courthouse, Athens, Ohio

In between the rain and the sun, I communicated with contacts of various libraries and museums in Cleveland, Akron, Athens... Most librarians are on or leaving for a holiday, probably well deserved. City Shields and Windows of the Soul were acquired in 2006 when I visited with Gary Ginther at the Vernon R. Alden Library. I did get a chance to return to Athens and visit with Michele Jennings the present contact person for the Library of the University of Ohio.

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, Vernon R. Alden Library of The Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

The Mahn Center Archives and Special Collections of The Ohio University include over 1100 books. These creations complement the study of art and architectural history, theory, criticism, materials, techniques, and practice in the artists’ books that are part of the Fine Arts Library.

Athens is a charming small city nestled along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. Surrounded by hills that rise about three hundred feet from river valley to the narrow ridge tops. Even with the pouring rain, I enjoyed being driven around and discovering the campus from my private carriage (remember the sprained foot.) Where has the sun gone? We are no longer in Arizona Toto!

My journey represents an opportunity to connect with librarians only communicated with in the past by email or phone. These meetings and talks with current or recent contacts about artists’ books or subjects that pop-up on the theme of my work energize me.

© 2018 Louise Levergneux, Ohio University Convocation Center, Athens, Ohio — © 2018 Louise Levergneux, Ohio University Convocation Center, Athens, Ohio

With all the administrivia and trying to survive the humidity, I have yet to get back to the printed pages from my Utah séjour and assemble my books.

Northeast Ohio is home until the 29th of June then we embark on our westward trip to Tucson. Tucson is the city we’ll be collecting our bigger home on wheels. This will permit me to work on my books.

If you would like to meet or know an artists’ bookmaker I should be introduced to please email me… at this moment I will be traveling in and around Circleville, Ohio on the 30th of June. Then on my way to Cincinnati from July 2nd through to the 4th. St. Louis, Missouri is next on the 4th or 5th of July, depending. Once our plans to Tucson, Arizona are tangible, I will have more concrete dates and cities to announce in my next post as we travel through Kansas City, Denver, and Colorado Springs.