Exhaustion can be problematic. In the last six months, making our tiny home our own was crucial. For me, a new beginning signals a time to nest. After four years of traveling, experiencing a nomadic life and all the while meeting with artists and librarians, the need to settle down before getting back to business became a priority.
At this time people seem to be asking questions about the usefulness of art. A deep struggle started to envelop my psyche — the usual slump that comes about after the high of publishing an artists’ book or two. Retirement even came to the forefront of my mind. Does an artist ever retire? How? More importantly, Why?
In the 90s, during a downturn of creativity after the passing of my father, I suffered through a lengthy break and considered every second of life important enough to record. That’s when there was a significant change in my work. Equinox, a nine year project, was the result of this period of reflection.
After moving to Utah in December 2008, coping with an unfamiliar city, state, and country was not an easy task. I felt isolated in my studio, but slowly continued the production and distribution of artists’ books while keeping in touch with contacts in Canada. As months went by, the feeling of being alone brought on the need to explore alternative avenues for both development and distribution.
I joined the Artists’ Book Program at the University of Utah in 2011. During the countless hours of conversation and communication with Marnie Powers-Torrey and fellow learners, I produced books while exploring various methods and materials. This outburst of creativity lasted seven years.
In the past, whenever I traveled, my mind went into power mode and explored many ideas. This creativity causes me to visualize newness in life and facilitates my ability to narrate a story. During deep sleep, my mind dreams up, researches, and completes many books. What produces this burst of ideas?
Nowadays my « idea drawer » contains many projects, but they don’t seem to come to realization. Something is missing — motivation, excitement, exploration... The fizz dries up quickly once the dream state has passed. I’m looking forward to the next hot streak. Hope it’s soon!
© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Entrance to the exhibition “Immersive Van Gogh” created by Massimiliano Siccardi, Scottsdale, Arizona.
I have been wondering what would trigger the future wave of creativity in my private world. Listening to artists online explaining their work nudged me a bit. Attending the exhibition a week ago entitled “Immersive Van Gogh” transported me to a unique dimension, as it transformed the iconic paintings of Vincent van Gogh into animated, wall-filling projections. Being immersed in the show sparked passion and excitement. I hope it lasts long enough to develop a daydream idea.
© 2021 Louise Levergneux. The beginning of the “Immersive Van Gogh.”
© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Completely immersed by Van Gogh’s paintings.
© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Van Gogh’s powerful flowers.
© 2021 Louise Levergneux. If the “Immersive Van Gogh” exhibition wasn’t going to do it, I thought the Arizona's Superior Burro Run would. We met a very friendly micro-mini burro. Is she cute or what?
The subject of my hopefully next artists’ book begins with the scenario: “50 years later, during a pandemic, a teenage infatuation flashes to mind.” More on this untitled project in the next few months.