Farewell Boise!

July 11, 2017

A bittersweet farewell to our two-year stint in Boise, Idaho.

I’m glad to be on my next phase of life and artwork; but I will miss our home in Avimor—the best and probably the last brick and mortar home we will own.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, home in Avimor/Boise, Idaho

I regret leaving my best friend Dale Rogers, who supported me in dark times.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Kenzie Rogers, my Sheltie fix for the last seven months — © 2017 Louise Levergneux, Kenzie Rogers, my Sheltie fix for the last seven months

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, a little tribute to Kenzie who passed away a week before my departure, she will be missed

I loved hiking in the foothills of Avimor when wildflowers covered the hills.

It was a struggle in the last two years to fit all my equipment in this small space—paper, binding cloth, cutters, glue... and my Topaz after having such a large space in Utah. I made it work. I got to love my small studio with its large window bringing in the brightest light from the north. It was a cozy creative place.

I need to figure out how to create in a much smaller space—in a 90 square feet of home—well I should say no space! How will I approach creating on the road with the suggestions I received after my last blog post? I will blog later on the subject.

I’m looking forward to the French welcoming ritual my family and friends have back home. See what I mean! C'est la bise après tout!

I’m hoping to visit artists studios on the road, and my first stop was to be Helen Hiebert in Colorado. With unforeseen difficulties, I did not get to meet Helen in person. Maybe the next time! Next, Dana Ryan Perez's studio, a fiber and artists’ bookmaker in Nashville, Tennessee.

Idaho Flowers

June 20, 2017

As you might realize, I’m late with my blog post this week. The studio and house are almost empty, no more equipment lying around. My Epson printer is back on the floor waiting to jump into its box. The only thing to play with is my new GoPro Hero 5 camera to record videos on our journey.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, my empty studio

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, what you can do with a closet dooe and four crates!

Dilemmas, dilemmas—how to create while traveling. Please share any ideas on how to produce while on the road. I would be glad to experiment with your suggestions and let you know how it goes.

Communication with other artists in the past few weeks has been scarce. No work completed reflecting my studio life. Another reason to ask “Where do I belong?”

Hiking in the foothills of Boise last week, I shot photos of Idaho wildflowers. I would like to share these photographs with you by giving permission to use them in your work if you desire. Use them for an artists’ book, a collage or anything else you may need. All I ask is that you share the finished work with me and my readers as part of a blog post.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, wild flowers of Idaho

For this post, these photos were saved for the web. If you need a larger size file, email me and I will send you the original file through a large file transfer service.

Happy creations! See you on the road.

New Endeavor

June 11, 2017

Launching into a new creative endeavor or new lifestyle is often marked by fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt. All these states of being have traversed my mind in the last 4 months as we prepare to hit the road.

Analyzing a new beginning is recognizing that one is ready to embark on a new journey. So, this voyage is fast approaching, and the photo below is what my studio looked like most of the week. I was trying to make sense of the 90 square feet of available living space in our T@B trailer and our Kia Sorento.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, our T@B trailer with all amenities in 90 square feet

I sold books this year, but I'm left with too many copies of each edition created throughout the years. A friend once told me to publish one to three copies only at a time. Another told me that when her artists’ bookshelf fills up she donates or gifts books to make room for newer publications.

I find it difficult to make notes good enough to publish a book at a later date, so I create the whole edition at the same time. This situation creates lots of inventory, nice with a studio, but not good to fit in a trailer for a year.

Sarah Bryant from Big Jump Press, she calls herself a genius and I don’t blame her—she’s correct—she’s excellent at creating notes on her publications giving her the capability to finish an edition later on. You can read Sarah's blog post “Ok, where was I?” published in February 2016—see how she developed a way to finish her project at a later date. Great reading and informative.

© 2016 Sarah Bryant, Sarah's prep bags of gigs and information

I packed and re-packed all my artists’ books. It’s strange to leave your creations somewhere for so long without access to them for exhibitions or sales.

I had to resolve my MacBook Pro problem throughout my packing sessions. My battery is failing, and the issue was never resolved by Simply Mac or Apple. I wish Apple would make batteries that last longer. This is my second experience with a dysfunctional computer battery. My last MacBook Pro battery exploded while I was typing on the keyboard. Literally, it made my computer three times thicker and my hands went flying. What a surprise! This time the battery will die as it will no longer charge even plugged in. How much fun can one take!

Here is what Simply Mac agreed on their Service Summary, but after many back-and-forth phone calls between Simply Mac and Apple, neither could agree on the terms of the problem. On the Simply Mac Service Summary, it was clear that if I waited until September of 2017 the battery would be FREE; Apple does not agree. This situation is difficult when the technology is needed, and the technology and the services are certainly not dependable.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Simply Mac's Service Summary I signed to agree on repairs. I squared in red the important parts.

The next phase is on my mind. I feel nervous and excited about my new adventure and hope to see you on the road and or visit your studio.

Smaller footprint, bigger ideas!

A Day of Photography

May 28, 2017

I’m well rested after a short trip to Salt Lake City to take my mind off reality.

My husband and I spent a day in Park City to visit photography galleries. I love to stop at Fatali, The Light Hunter as he calls himself. He photographs nature’s perfect moments.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Fatali Gallery sign

Every year, new photographers show up in Park City. They come and they go. This year two accomplished and award-winning photographers, Jared & Trish McMillen have joined the many galleries in Park City. Their goal is to document photographic landscapes in a way that captures each genuinely magnificent detail in all of nature's chaotic glory. The Horse Collection portrayed the West in all its beauty with its contrast, solitude, and simplicity.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, view of the inside of the McMillen Gallery from sidewalk

I was unable to visit the Kimball Art Center since it is being rebuilt.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, demolished Kimball Art center

One has to stop at High West Distillery and do a bit of “this” when in Park City. Great atmosphere and the rosé was delicious!

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, "A Bit of This"

I stopped by Simply Mac to verify the capacity and requirements for upgrading my operating system. To use my different software without spending more money than necessary, El Capitan is my limit. Great news, till I learned my computer’s battery is ready to explode!

Technical difficulties are on the way, and I will try using Unbound’s services in Meridian for the next blog post. If that does not work, I will write in the next couple of weeks or so. In the mean time create and enjoy.

Travel

May 21, 2017

I re-named my studio 1/2 Measure Studio after leaving a large studio space in Utah in June 2015 for a smaller studio in the best house ever. I now, enjoy its size and comfort, but, I never settled in Boise, Idaho.

The onerous fees of owning a house and all it entails is stopping my husband and me from seeing the world. So, we chose traveling instead of a brick and mortar house, we will be on the road for the next year. I might need to re-name my studio again, but will I have one?

We travel to foreign places, we travel in and around our hometown, we also journey in our mind’s eye, during the long hours in our studios as we create our imaginary worlds. In my mind, I often wander across the nation back home. We all find different ways to express our voyages.

To celebrate a new way of thinking of “home” which I long for, I have found artists who have touched upon the subject of “Travel”.

Artist Natalie McGrorty created Traveling Light back in 2008. This artists' book is about home and the memories we carry with us. Threads traverse house-shaped pages, enclosed within a miniature vanity case. These threads represent memories contained within 'time-frames' of experience. Words running from A-Z describe ideas of what 'home' is.

Natalie’s book Traveling Light is part of the Emory University in Atlanta’s collection if you would like to view it in person.

Marlene MacCallum created Nine Elevated Views, this experimental work grew out of research into artists’ publishing and was inspired by the culminating group workshop held at Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts. The prototype for this piece was a collaboration incorporating a group letterpress text project led by Clifton Meador and folded structures introduced by Scott McCarney.

Upon returning home from this workshop, I reworked the piece, printing the image with a base layer of inkjet and then four subsequent photolithographic printings. The text is printed in handset letterpress. The image is constructed by using photographs of the view from each of the nine station stops of the elevated train in Chicago’s Loop. At each stop, I stepped out and made a photograph. I then took these photos and layered them together. This new image is reminiscent of the visual experience of looking out the window as we moved along the tracks. Two brief statements wind their way down the image, intersect and exit into the image. The folded structure references the skyscrapers that dominate the landscape and the unfolding structure is an impossible guide to this portion of the city.

© 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, case bound folded paper book work, 17.3 cm x 7.7 cm x 1.5 cm — © 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, case bound folded paper book work, 17.3 cm x 7.7 cm x 1.5 cm

© 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of first opening, inkjet, lithography and letterpress, 17.3 cm x 14.65 cm — © 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of first opening, inkjet, lithography and letterpress, 17.3 cm x 14.65 cm

© 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of center opening of book, inkjet, lithography and letterpress, 17.3 cm x 16.5 cm

© 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of book block extended sideways, 17.3 cm x 29.3 cm — © 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of book block extended sideways, 17.3 cm x 29.3 cm

© 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of book block extended sideways and opened up partially — © 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of book block extended sideways and opened up partially

© 2014 Marlene MacCallum, Nine Elevated Views, view of book block fully extended, 40.8 cm x 29.3 cm

Sharon Sharp remained captivated by Kentucky’s remarkable cave system and its complex history after her trip to Mammoth Cave National Park. Sharon served as Mammoth Cave National Park’s Artist-in-Residence in 2009 and created a set of artist’s books for donation to the park after her residency experience. Her artists’ book Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave is a one-of-a-kind artist’s book created in 2011.

Virtually every week, my mind wanders back to that setting, its environmental richness, and the people whose lives have been shaped by experiences there.

Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave is a sculptural, multi-part book that celebrates two early mappers of Mammoth Cave's labyrinthine passages: Stephen Bishop, an enslaved African American guide who, in the mid-1800s, gained international fame; and Max Kämper, a German civil engineer who, with the guide Ed Bishop (Stephen’s nephew), explored further and devised new mapping approaches in the early 1900s. These explorers are still honored at today's National Park, which encompasses the world's longest cave. Historic map portions and my cave-interior photographs accent text on the central section’s interior and exterior. Details about Stephen Bishop and Max Kämper appear in small fold-out books on each end of the large structure, which represents the cave system’s majestic realms.

© 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp is 8.75 inches H x 6.5 inches W, 42 inches when fully opened — © 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp is 8.75 inches H x 6.5 inches W, 42 inches when fully opened

© 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp is spired accordions sewn back-to-back, with fold-down end sections and pop-up features — © 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp is spired accordions sewn back-to-back, with fold-down end sections and pop-up features

© 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp is created using Canson Mi-Teintes, metallic-flecked unryu, textured Strathmore, kozo with mango leaves, and Southworth papers — © 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp is created using Canson Mi-Teintes, metallic-flecked unryu, textured Strathmore, kozo with mango leaves, and Southworth papers

© 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp, archival inkjet prints for text, map portions, and original photos; colored-pencil highlights on photos; Irish linen thread; binder’s board and … — © 2011, photo by Tommy White; Depth Perception: Mapmaking Legacies at Mammoth Cave by Sharon Sharp, archival inkjet prints for text, map portions, and original photos; colored-pencil highlights on photos; Irish linen thread; binder’s board and magnets

Join me in celebrating. Go travel and explore your experiences!

Change and Transformation

May 15, 2017

Change /CHānj/: to make or become different, to transform, to alter.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Spring around Avimor in Boise, Idaho

Spring brings many changes, the season helps to renew our vitality. The drumleaf binding for my last artists’ book Shadow Me was a transformation. Learning brings change.

2017, the year of the Fire Rooster brought a significant change of energy for all of us and is providing a strong foundation for us to reach a new level and redefine a new destination!

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Spring in the foothills of Boise, Idaho

How true is this? Many people are changing their lives this year, moving from one place to another, changing jobs, retiring, the list goes on in many forms?

People are adapting to new circumstances, modifying their philosophies, revising their finances. Others are remodeling their homes, restyling their wardrobe, revamping their hairstyle, reorganizing their thoughts or simply learning new bindings.

My adjustment is a new lifestyle. I’m thinking of retiring from creating artists’ books. Should I close shop? Art has always defined me, it is who I am so the question is hard to answer but there it is, lingering over my head. For now, my books are in my thoughts, I might bring my ideas to fruition later.

Travel is the key at the moment, this will allow me to transform my work if I continue creating. The journey will take me to new directions, where I could connect with artists, librarians, organizations, and centers across Canada and the US.

My artists’ book Finding Home was the beginning. It exemplified my need to find where I belonged after a move to Boise, Idaho, in June of 2015. I’ve concluded Canada is the place for me, my place to belong.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, trails in Avimor, Idaho — © 2017 Louise Levergneux, trails in Avimor, Idaho

Transformation in my world will be a great opportunity to meet with you and talk on the subject of artists' books, visit your studio, and blog. See you soon!

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, hiking the trails edge in Avimor, Idaho — © 2017 Louise Levergneux, hiking the trails edge in Avimor, Idaho

Shadow Me, The Book

May 7, 2017

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Shadow Me, the pages

Shadow Me

I am gemstone and joy brightening your world.

I am paws and cuddles that uncurl.

Opening hearts with unconditional love is me.

Gentle soul tickling skin-deep.

I am the constant shadow you search to keep.

I am the void as deep as the sea.

Now standing alone, Beside Me, you will always be.

Designed and produced by the artist in Photoshop with ChopinScript and Centabel Book fonts. Inkjet prints with an Epson Stylus Photo R3000. Drumleaf binding with inkjet printed images on Lasal paper. There are 8 copies in this edition.

$186

This book can be ordered by sending me an email at : louiselevergneux@gmail.com

Conçu et produit par l'artiste, réalisé à l'aide du logiciel Photoshop avec polices de caractères ChopinScript et Centabel Book. Impressions jet d’encre tirées avec une imprimante Epson Stylus Photo R3000. Reliure dos rapporté avec impressions jet d’encre sur papier Lasal. Il y a 8 exemplaires dans cette édition.

186 $

On peut faire une commande de ce livre en m'envoyant un courrier électronique à : louiselevergneux@gmail.com

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Thank You/Merci to all who comment on my posts directly or by email. It’s nice to know you continue to read what happens in and around my studio.

Shadow Me

April 30, 2017

I would like to introduce you to my new artists’ book entitled Shadow Me, a sequel to Beside Me, an observation on teams published in 2005.

Shadow Me is a narrative on broken teams and how to find one's own spirit or space. Topaz was my muse, my companion, my constant shadow. Pleasing people and learning were her passion. For 14 years and 10 months, Topaz was vibrant and full of unconditional love.

Twelve years have passed since the publication of Beside Me and the teams are now all disconnected. The textures and composition of each page of Shadow Me direct the eye to the missing link. The book exemplifies solitary lonely moments.

After coming up with the content and text for the book, the question was—how to bring it all together. What would be the best binding method?

In 2015, when I traveled across the country to go back home to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I visited Karen Hanmer’s studio in Glenview, IL. Karen was generous with her time and ability with the Drumleaf binding method. She even created a sample binding for me.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, sample Drumleaf binding by Karen Hanmer

After thinking and examining the Drumleaf structure, I felt this binding method would compliment the paperback style of Beside Me. The Drumleaf binding is an external change in this sequel.

With my knowledge of Karen's simple instructions, I searched online for tutorials to help me remember the details. It’s been two years after all!

Here are some links I found helpful in finishing the Drumleaf structure:

http://karenhanmer.com/reviews/documents/2013_GBW_DRUM_Sewn_Hanmer.pdf

https://makinghandmadebooks.blogspot.com/2012/07/instructions-drum-leaf-binding.html

http://www.melissajaycraig.com/timothy-ely.pdf

https://jandove.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/drum-leaf-binding/

I love using Lasal Photo Matte paper from Moab Papers it does not break when correctly folded. I chose to print on 13 in. x 12 in. for the pages and on 11 in. x 17 in. for the cover. I purchased a paper size that would not affect grain direction. The book measures 8.5 in. x 5.5 in. x .25 in. closed and will be an edition of eight.

I created my layout for the images in Photoshop and wrote the words to the accompanying poem.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, spread layout of Shadow Me in Photoshop

After each page was printed, I waited the appropriate time to cut and fold the nine spread pages according to Karen’s instructions.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, cutting pages of Shadow Me

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, folding a page of Shadow Me

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, drying a glued page of Shadow Me

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, instead of gluing the spine, I used 3M double sided tape for the spine. This helped keep the pages square.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, scoring the cover of Shadow Me

Next week I will post photographs of the complete book and the words to the poem of Shadow Me.

Have a great week!

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...

Your comments and stories are welcome.

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