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Louise Levergneux

ARTISTS' BOOKS ◉ LIVRES D'ARTISTE
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© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Another milestone, another sunset!

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Another milestone, another sunset!

Accomplishments and More Tools and Equipment

July 1, 2021

I completed another milestone in my studio — I think it’s now an 1/8 Measure Studio. But even in this compact space, I ultimately completed the edition of eight copies of my project Surveillance. This with the help of two very conscientious artists.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. The last three copies of Surveillance available.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. The last three copies of Surveillance available.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Surveillance.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Surveillance.

It was quite the process! Natalie Freed, electronics expert in Texas, was responsible for the realization of my creative thoughts back in 2018. Unable to work on the electronics to finish the last four copies due to other priorities, Natalie passed on the assembly documentation and purchased all the necessary materials to be completed by another artist. The materials, included: microcontrollers, amplifiers, tiny potentiometers to adjust the audio volume, mini speakers, sliding switches, silicone wires, breadboards, cameras, circuit boards, and a LED lights. I’m glad someone else was doing the electronics. The list above is a world of unknown to me and I’m thankful Natalie was able to see what I was dreaming of.

Once the materials were purchased, coded and programmed, all was shipped to me in Arizona. At this point my part was to drill bigger holes in the cameras to receive longer screws for securing the cameras to the covers. Once again the bindings, cameras, and all the materials, were shipped this time to Thomas Parker Williams in Pennsylvania — who responded to my query for help with the project. He took responsibility for completing the electronics with excellent assembly documentation from Natalie. Since Thomas was extremely fast and efficient, my books were shipped one last time to me; then came the phase of me positioning the tunnel book, the cover image, and the colophon in each binding. Presently, three copies are ready for a new home.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux.  One copy of Surveillance was on order from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, since last April. .

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. One copy of Surveillance was on order from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, since last April. .


© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers located in the renovated Braggs Pie Factory building on Historic Grand Avenue of Phoenix has a whimsical facade. Grand Avenue has never lost its genuine appeal due to the many interesting vintage buildings that create a gritty boulevard, connecting the edge of downtown with points west.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers located in the renovated Braggs Pie Factory building on Historic Grand Avenue of Phoenix has a whimsical facade. Grand Avenue has never lost its genuine appeal due to the many interesting vintage buildings that create a gritty boulevard, connecting the edge of downtown with points west.

Since my last post I have re-examined my equipment to work productively. I pride myself in keeping a smaller footprint in life and decided I should also keep my tools at a minimum. I will be able to produce my books through my manual methods and when bigger equipment is needed I can communicate with contacts and artists I have met virtually or in person.

Philip Zimmermann suggested I contact Nancy Hill of Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers in Phoenix for the use of a cutter.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers in Phoenix, many metal and wood type cabinets.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers in Phoenix, many metal and wood type cabinets.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Nancy Hill demontrating a press at Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Nancy Hill demontrating a press at Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers.

I took the opportunity to visit with Nancy and tour the letterpress studio in June. Hazel & Violet — a letterpress studio, teaching facility, and commercial print shop on Historic Grand Avenue is open-to-the-public. Nancy Hill prints custom stationery, business cards, coasters, invitations, and broadsides. Eric Lindquist (runs the Heidelberg) and Michael C. Leeder both print mostly the commercial work. Michael is also involved in Forest and Third Friday nights Showing folks how to print and make free posters.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Some of the work printed at Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Some of the work printed at Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers.

In addition they have a print-time rental space for a nominal fee — $20.00 per person with a two-hour minimum. The space is furnished with wonderful equipment (not all available for rent) a Chandler & Price (10 X15 NS – 1922), a Heidelberg T-Platen Windmill (1967), a Potter Proof Press (1925), a Reprex (1965), and a Long-Master Showcard Press (1980).

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Quality handmade work, Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Quality handmade work, Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Nancy has an interest in ampersands.

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Nancy has an interest in ampersands.

In the artists’ book community, one can invariably discover someone who is invaluable and friendly.


If you missed Mark Wangberg comment on my post “Tools and Equipment,” I think you will find his creative tools and equipment making interesting.

I am in a remote area of Peru (Iquitos) with very limited access to equipment easily obtained in the USA. I brought a small Kutrimmer (14" cut) from the US and use it to cut board and papers. I also do some cutting by hand and appreciated seeing your setup for that! I rarely do editions these days, so I'm not usually cutting a lot of board by hand. I'd LOVE to have a larger Kutrimmer or board shear but have not found any available here. I may end up having a machine shop make one for me! For now, I know some printers who will cut paper to precise sizes with big electric cutters — if I need real precision. A trick I learned for cutting paper to larger sizes accurately was folding the paper into quarters and then cutting with the Kutrimmer — good for some of the origami type folds I use in making books.

For my own marbling & teaching I have made most of my tools (combs and rakes) using wood, stiff corrugated plastic and T-pins and nails or screws. I push the T-pins at regular 1/4" intervals through the stiff plastic and then duct tape over the top of the T. These make a lightweight and waterproof comb for nonpareil. The combs are made with lengths of 1" x 2" wood with screws usually spaced two" apart. Thin plywood can also be used. These tools can be made to fit whatever size tank I'm using. I usually marble paper that is 12"x18" and use tanks that are a few inches wider and longer. These tanks are flexible plastic storage boxes usually sold in hardware stores (used to store clothing, etc.). Most have convenient lids when leaving the carrageenan or methyl cellulose bath sitting overnight, thus preventing dust from getting into the bath. I like using the clear plastic tanks because I can put a piece of white paper under them so the marbling colors show accurately. Dark tanks make it hard to see the colors as they float on the surface. Some people use glass tanks too. My plastic ones are usually about three or 4 inches deep, but I only put about one inch of the liquid bath in the tanks. For traveling to remote locations, I make "tanks" using four pieces of 2x2" wood, 20x14" in length, then drape heavy clear plastic (like a table covering) so that the plastic lowers into the rectangle. The wooden rectangle doesn't need to be attached like a frame with screws or nails, though it will steady the setup for rowdy kids! Sometimes I use pushpins to hold the plastic in place while working.


© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Over 100 DVD’s to copy to a 1TB LaCie SDD Drive. My New drive is the little gray box on the bottom left!

© 2021 Louise Levergneux. Over 100 DVD’s to copy to a 1TB LaCie SDD Drive. My New drive is the little gray box on the bottom left!

Like many hats an artist wears, the administrivia part is the worst! This is what I’m dealing with for the next week. Again smaller footprint, smaller space, less DVD’s. I purchased a 1TB LaCie SDD Drive for storing all photos and artists’ book information, work template, statements...

In Studio visit, artists Tags Surveillance, Natalie Freed, Thomas Parker Williams, Hazel & Violet Letterpress Printers, Philip Zimmermann, Nancy Hill, Mark Wangberg
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© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Awe inspiring landscape in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Awe inspiring landscape in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

Change and Transformation

July 31, 2020

Half Measure Studio has been instrumental in opening social interactions that allowed me to individually connect and visit many artists. These informative conversations undoubtedly helped to feature artists in weekly and monthly posts since 2016. In 2020, the year of change and transformation Half Measure Studio will be conducting virtual studio visits, this is our undeniable reality...

During the last three years, I have appreciated the comments and contact from many artists who communicated via email after following my posts. Mark Wangberg, has emailed me enthusiastic responses with continual interest in the art highlighted on my blog. Since he lives and works in Peru, a personal studio visit was impractical, even less now given the transportation and public health circumstances. 

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. A small section of The Painted Desert in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.

Mark was kind enough to send images of his atelier and artists’ books for me to report on the history behind his work and lifestyle in Peru.

In 1973-74, in Nigeria, I discovered the lovely goatskins being produced and used for various crafts. At the time I wasn't aware of the tremendous quality and use of this material in fine bindings all over the world. I had been doing letterpress printing for two years at Alma College in Michigan. My comprehension of the incredible beauty and variety of artists' books was merely beginning. I published a number of limited edition books under the Jack-In-The-Box press name.

© 2020 Irma Chavez Cobos. View of Mark’s garden and the river flowing behind his house — a branch of the mighty Amazon River!

© 2020 Irma Chavez Cobos. View of Mark’s garden and the river flowing behind his house — a branch of the mighty Amazon River!

Ultimately (1979-80) I apprenticed with Daniel Tucker of Turtle Island Press, and through his excellent tutelage expanded my skills and knowledge for book arts. He indeed supported me in recognizing the possibilities for combining the total aspects of a book, so all components (materials, text, images, color, texture, etc.) were unified.

1 Studio shots-3.jpeg

Many years later, while teaching art (including book arts in my curriculum) at a public high school outside Philadelphia, I achieved a MFA in Book Arts at The University of the Arts in 1999. Working with Hedi Kyle for those five years, blew my mind with NEW possibilities. Her inventiveness rubbed off on me and my students!

© 2020 Mark Wangberg. Mark’ studio with a big vitrine keeping his book samples from the past 40+ years safe!

© 2020 Mark Wangberg. Mark’ studio with a big vitrine keeping his book samples from the past 40+ years safe!

Hedi continues being a friend and inspiration! Many other instructors at The University of the Arts had profound impacts on my art and teaching — most notably Nathan Knobler, a teacher who easily doubled my knowledge and critical skills.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. Hedi Kyle, friend and phenomenal mentor! Here in her home/studio modeling Mark’s Hat/Box/Book, an origami box/book structure; imported printed papers, hand-stained tracing papers, and thread for additional pages; 3.25”x3.25”x1”.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. Hedi Kyle, friend and phenomenal mentor! Here in her home/studio modeling Mark’s Hat/Box/Book, an origami box/book structure; imported printed papers, hand-stained tracing papers, and thread for additional pages; 3.25”x3.25”x1”.

At my best, I "play" with the possibilities of text, materials, image, and context. Living in The Amazon has exposed me to a variety of novel materials. For instance, the use of llanchma, a local bark cloth, encouraged my lifelong dream of doing large quilt-like wall pieces. I also folded, sewed, and dyed it to develop textile versions of some of Hedi Kyle's structures. The usage of digital media and inexpensive printing on canvas-like banner material allowed me to create large format patterns using photographs of local women. By repeating the images, I created "tile" designs similar to ones from the early 1900s adorning historic buildings here in Iquitoswooden, Peru... 

© 2020 Irma Chavez Cobos. Mark holding his artists’ book entitled Stencil Me.

© 2020 Irma Chavez Cobos. Mark holding his artists’ book entitled Stencil Me.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. Stencil Me — a triangular book format by Hedi Kyle. Paper and spray paint over stencils; 8”x3”x.5”.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. The structure for Stencil Me can be followed on page 100, in The Art of the Fold: How to Make Innovative Books and Paper Structures, by Hedi Kyle and Ulla Warchol.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. The structure for Stencil Me can be followed on page 100, in The Art of the Fold: How to Make Innovative Books and Paper Structures, by Hedi Kyle and Ulla Warchol.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Sample Book; local Peruvian bark cloth (llanchama), local handmade papers, local handspun chambira thread from palm fibers, local natural dyes, spray paint, and local natural leaf; 9”x6.5”x1”.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Sample Book; local Peruvian bark cloth (llanchama), local handmade papers, local handspun chambira thread from palm fibers, local natural dyes, spray paint, and local natural leaf; 9”x6.5”x1”.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Sample Book.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Sample Book.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Sample Book.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Sample Book.

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. Stab binding; leather with hand marbling using acrylics; the hinges are created by carefully cutting half-way through the leather.

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. Stab binding; leather with hand marbling using acrylics; the hinges are created by carefully cutting half-way through the leather.

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. Matchbox Book Set; three books in one!

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. Matchbox Book Set; three books in one!

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. Matchbox Book Set. Vellum leather box/book cover is a sliding case, transfer image, stained with graphite, found matches, Nigerian basket pieces, metal scraps, metal box, metal can lid, child’s shoe, orange slice, acetate print…

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. Matchbox Book Set. Vellum leather box/book cover is a sliding case, transfer image, stained with graphite, found matches, Nigerian basket pieces, metal scraps, metal box, metal can lid, child’s shoe, orange slice, acetate prints, various papers and threads.

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. This Match Book Set was exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in response to James Castle’s show featuring his drawings and collages which often used match boxes, destroyed in a flood!

© 2014 Mark Wangberg. This Match Book Set was exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in response to James Castle’s show featuring his drawings and collages which often used match boxes, destroyed in a flood!

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Rusty; rusted metal ceiling tile pieces, bottle cap, waxed paper with inlaid threads, double stick tape, waxed thread, approx. 4”x24”x1”.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Rusty; rusted metal ceiling tile pieces, bottle cap, waxed paper with inlaid threads, double stick tape, waxed thread, approx. 4”x24”x1”.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Structure for Rusty is based on an invention by Hedi Kyle, I call the “Up/Down Book”, a simple folded accordion with top and bottom folds to contain the pages in. Exhibited in the Hello Hedi book show at 23 Sandy Gallery. …

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Structure for Rusty is based on an invention by Hedi Kyle, I call the “Up/Down Book”, a simple folded accordion with top and bottom folds to contain the pages in. Exhibited in the Hello Hedi book show at 23 Sandy Gallery. I discovered this structure (a delicate little book) in a box of Hedi’s samples and decided to explore its possibilities with some heavier materials.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Up/Down Book, my sample with a paper sleeve; printed imported papers, double stick tape, 20 point folding stock to reinforce the covers; 5”x11”x.25”. Created for a workshop taught at the Art Escape art center in California.

© 2015 Mark Wangberg. Up/Down Book, my sample with a paper sleeve; printed imported papers, double stick tape, 20 point folding stock to reinforce the covers; 5”x11”x.25”. Created for a workshop taught at the Art Escape art center in California.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. May I Buy Your Vote; tin can and tin can pieces cut into figures and shapes, thread; poem printed on a sheet of 8.5”x11” brown paper; 8”x3”x3”.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. May I Buy Your Vote; tin can and tin can pieces cut into figures and shapes, thread; poem printed on a sheet of 8.5”x11” brown paper; 8”x3”x3”.

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. Mark came across a pile of old rusted tin cans while in Peru and noticed that they had come from a politician seeking office. After Mark asked local people about these tin cans, he found that politicians were in the habit …

© 2013 Mark Wangberg. Mark came across a pile of old rusted tin cans while in Peru and noticed that they had come from a politician seeking office. After Mark asked local people about these tin cans, he found that politicians were in the habit of painting people’s homes (a relative luxury for many in Iquitos, Peru) in exchange for their vote… Mark started thinking about how often in MANY countries politicians garner votes in various (illegal) ways…

 
Mark's-Poem-text-web4.jpg
 

For the foreseeable future, all artists and studio visits will be done virtually. The pleasant side of this situation is to be able to explore ateliers and connect with artists I may never have encountered in my real time travels.


In Studio visit Tags Mark Wangberg, Peru, Hedi Kyle
3 Comments
Welcome Bienvenue

Hello, my name is Louise Levergneux, I’m a book maker. This blog is where I share and reflect on the approaches and structures used in my creative process, artists' books, photography. and more...

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