© 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!

New Year, New beginnings!

January 1, 2017

Celebrating one year of blogging! It’s been a pleasure getting to know all of you through my posts. Thank you for the support.

Major changes are in the air for my 1/2 Measure Studio this year. The reasoning behind my books is on my mind these days. I’m questioning the trajectory of my work. Changing paths is a big moment and one I want to see bring forward movement to my work.

For now, confusion! Why do this? Why do that? Why be an artist?

Do you have questions that haunt you as an artist?

In the last month, I have been working on a new artists’ book—a sequel to my book entitled Beside Me. Beside Me was a wonderful book on teams published in 2005.

How do your books come to life?

Mine usually start with a trip, a thought, an experience... This one started with an emotion.

Completely filled with emotion, my mind started to think of how to create this book and in what format. Thoughts raced through my mind.

Think, re-think, plan, images, dream, re-think, write, view it in my mind’s eye, dream of it, camera in hand, photograph, template, re-think, write, play in Photoshop, design pages, dream, cover? Binding! Think! Choose fonts, discussion, re-think, compose photographs, relate to book Beside Me, write, edit, paper size, size of book, re-design, Edit...

Ideas have gelled, cover and binding chosen. The real work starts and frustrations follow!

I had difficulties in ordering paper with the proper grain direction needed for printing the pages of my book. Was everyone in the companies I called asleep at the switch? After many phone calls, I’m hoping to receive the correct paper.

Particular companies understand book publishing and grain directions. One of those companies is Moab papers by Legion. They are always happy to talk about the needs of their customers.

What type of difficulties do you run into with paper? Size, grain direction, thickness, durability...

This waiting period is giving me time to conceive the cover and how the new book will flow with the first book Beside Me.

© 2016 Louise Levergneux, cover of Standing Alone

I continue working on my files of manhole covers to create eleven new volumes of different cities across the Canadian provinces.

©2016 Louise Levergneux, Saskatchewan manhole covers in Bridge ready to action in Photoshop — ©2016 Louise Levergneux, Saskatchewan manhole covers in Bridge ready to action in Photoshop

© 2013 Louise Leverghneux, Hotel Aloft, Minneapolis, MN, April 30, 2013

I hope happiness and prosperity comes your way in 2017!

A Studio Muse

November 27, 2016

Tools, equipment, papers, cloth... and most of all inventory fills an artist’s studio. We fail to remember a precious piece—our muse that sits in a corner or in front of the printer table so you notice their presence—our pet.

This furry friend disturbing my concentration with a favourite toy, a nod for food or a walk, wonders why I don’t always jump at her demands. With index finger extended, I whisper “just a minute, mommy's almost done”. In a few minutes, this bundle of joy comes running tail wagging with no criticism. Dragging a new toy and a bigger smile inviting me to play again. My four-legged family member relieves frustrating moments in the atelier with a carefree attitude whether I’m printing, cutting, writing or binding. I believe the unconditional love inherent of my devoted companion permeates my artistic spirit.

Do you have a muse in your studio helping with your productive energy? My little Sheltie Topaz has inspired me to create these artists’ books: