Still in Casa Grande, Arizona

After ten weeks of sheltering in place, I'm experiencing the pressure of the unknown. I do humbly admit the effect of teleconferencing is beneficial. My artists’ book entitled “Finding Home” which I created in 2016 comes to mind at this key moment. I feel the need to properly nourish my sense of belonging. I dream of the day when a hug isn’t an imminent threat, and I can visit family, friends and artists studios in real time.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. In the last month, I’ve continued working on my 20th anniversary volume of City Shields. This is a blast!

The remarkable beauty of the flowering cacti, the forever lasting sunny days and the dry heat of Arizona, is no longer nourishing my creative soul. As a nomad without being able to travel, I’m increasingly feeling trapped in the vehicle meant to liberate me.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. A Senita Cactus in the heat of Casa Grande, Arizona.

Most of the time it’s peaceful here in Casa Grande. While I’m content to work on my recent artists’ book, creating, researching... Sitting for too long can gnaw at the imaginative mind even if busy with activities one loves.

Covid-19 has undoubtedly affected our humble lives. Artists currently possess extended periods of time to be creative, but our minds are on the uncertainty. We are trying to work and live through these hard times. Ultimately, the crisis has forced its way into our creative work.

Thomas Parker Williams from Pennsylvania has emailed me information on his recent unique artists’ book entitled Pestilence.

Thomas’ conceptual sources include mathematics, music, literature, theology, design, philosophy, astronomy, history, natural sciences, architecture, and Eastern thought. 

© Thomas Parker Williams. Pestilence by Thomas Parker Williams, 12” x 24" x .875” closed.

© Thomas Parker Williams. Pestilence by Thomas Parker Williams, original drawings with dry pigments in alkyd medium, stains, ink and coloured pencil.

© Thomas Parker Williams. Page one of Pestilence by Thomas Parker Williams.

© Thomas Parker Williams. Page three of Pestilence by Thomas Parker Williams.

“Pestilence was drawn during the week of April 13-20, 2020. It is a metaphor for the worsening COVID-19 crisis and the rejection of reality by some in our country. This crisis will change life as we see it. My hope is we will be able to accept the cooperative action needed to survive it.” Thomas Parker Williams

---

Another artist — Guylaine Couture — who juggles with the specific ideas she wants to powerfully convey, recently completed a zine entitled “Mes indispensables, pandémie 2020”.

© 2020 Guylaine Couture. My Indispensable, Pandemic 2020, drawings and texts by Guylaine Couture. The zine is folded and cut manually; 16 pages.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. I received an actual, physical wild pink coloured envelope in my mail box last week, inside I found a copy of “My indispensable.” This little zine brought a smile to my face.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Surprise! included in the envelope were a set of three small cards printed manually on recycled paper by Guylaine.

Guylaine enjoys working on subjects that challenge us like cancer, ecology, mourning or the landscape. These subjects depend upon introspection. It is critical for Guylaine to produce each book differently, that the form changes, evolves and adapts to its point of view.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Mes indispensables, pandémie 2020 by Guylaine Couture is a single sheet format. 2 ¾ inches x 4 ¼ inches when closed.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Mes indispensables, pandémie 2020 by Guylaine Couture is 2 ¾ inches x 4 ¼ inches when closed.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Mes indispensables, pandémie 2020 by Guylaine Couture is also available in English.

“Vivre ce moment historique est toute une aventure. Elle est différente pour chacun de nous. Pour ma part, j'ai voulu en témoigner par ce zine sur le sujet. J'y parle de mes (nouvelles) expériences et découvertes.” Guylaine Couture

“Living this historic moment is quite an adventure. It varies for each of us. For my part, I wanted to bear witness to this complex issue with a zine. I talk about my (new) experiences and discoveries.” Guylaine Couture

---

On another note, James G. Jenkins’ sculpture provides a theme for both intellectual and visual curiosity. Jim’s work reflects an eclectic and deep understanding of philosophy, spirituality, history, physics and other sciences, and our current societal state. “COST-O-TOM(B), You will feel a slight pressure” presages the current health crisis.

© J. Jenkins 2018. The creation of COST-O-TOM(B), You will feel a slight pressure by Jim Jenkins.

“There are several instruments normally associated with the practice of medicine or health care displayed. Combined in this way it becomes a hyper-anachronistic-allegorical-metaphysicalperplexing-conundrum.

Please note specifically there are no bodily fluids in any sort of suspension. The suspension of disbelief has been removed as well. Perhaps consider that the system has already been sucked dry, the life blood removed with nothing remaining. 

A cast trooper marches steadfastly along a very short plank. Soldiering on without complaint, silent, noble but encouraged to Bite the Bullet should anything untoward happen. The .45 caliber bullet suggests this and is labelled as such. 

A country in distress is symbolically displayed. The parties responsible might be discovered by examining the white paper with words provided with impact. A scalene triangulation suggesting unequal influence is fabricated with a surgical suture suggesting perhaps that we have been stitched up.

The Elephant in the Room remains in a carefully folded origami display concealing what is right in front of our face.” J. Jenkins

© J. Jenkins 2018. “COST-O-TOM(B), You will feel a slight pressure” by Jim Jenkins. Materials: Costotome, hypodermic syringe, distillation glassware, surgical tubing, surgical sutures, test tube, an American flag, sealing wax, peacock feather, gilt frame, aristocratic purple velvet fabric, a .45 caliber bullet, cast trooper, white paper with words typed, brass nameplate, stainless steel angle, flat bar, rod, discs, shredded money, and glass tubing.

---

Congratulations to everyoe who is being resourceful in continuing their teachings during these strange times. With many hours, to create, how is your art work progressing?

Confined in Arizona

I hope you are all safe and taking this self-isolation time to keep busy so doldrums don’t become the new normal. 

For me, social distancing means no studio visits, I do miss the physical interaction with artists in their private atelier. Strategically planning these impressive outings throughout the year was a lovely diversion during my continuous travels. Talking and sharing ideas with artists paved the way for brainstorming on new concepts. I undoubtedly gained in depth knowledge on binding, which could be applied in my new artists’ books.

My only communication these days, like most of you, is by virtual contact between family and friends. Some of us share “happy hour”, converse our quest for life’s journey and most important knowing everyone is safe and well.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. An Argentine Giant Cactus in bloom at the Fiesta Grande RV Resort in Casa Grande, Arizona.

In late March, with the shelter-in-place directive, we got grounded in Casa Grande, Arizona. The southwest is not a bad area to be stuck in, with it’s sunshine and blooming cacti. But, by the end of April, severe temperatures reached 107° F. It is getting HOT, HOT, HOT!

Shelter-in-place has given me the opportunity to start working on different projects. Meticulously planning my concepts, printing the visuals, writing statements, and studying Photoshop in more detail... 

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Working on my 20th Anniversary cover for City Shields. Already 20 years has passed since the beginning of my on-going projet of manhole covers. WOW!

I’m making headway with the 20th Anniversary booklet of City Shields. One can’t wield a mighty hammer to pierce a small hole! — I’m frustrated at trying to use the necessary software rarely utilized in the past year.

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. The cover for City Shields’ 20th Anniversary package edition in progress. This is the first draft, the design may change as the work progresses.

We often swear at the technology in our possession but in these uncertain times, the internet has proven to be a valuable tool. I sincerely appreciate the social contact with all of you through private emails or communications received by the BookListServ though not as many as before the pandemic. Listening to Helen Hiebert podcasts brings a sense of closeness. The informative videos of John Cutrone, Book Arts 101: Home Edition takes us on different journeys. Different blog posts like the familiar one from Catherine Miller and Guylaine Couture naturally prompt me to smile as I have visited both artists. Many sincere thanks for your continual dialogue during our social isolation. 

These digital dialogues expand opportunities for me to receive information on newly completed artwork or work in progress from many artists. You could say that these are my new virtual studio visits. I joyfully received this artist statement from Jim Jenkins of Illinois. Jim is conscientiously working on a wordsculpture and transmitted it for review and comment. Between his first email and now, he has undoubtedly gone through additional re-crafting as we all do at the early stages of creative production.

After the clever piece had stirred up a bit more in Jim’s active mind, I received a shortened version of his statement for Cosmic Clockwork Comet and some images of the final artwork to present to my readers.

It has been said that time is an event more than anything else. We remember events, we usually don’t remember time passing as in the ticking of a clock. We usually don’t remember our hours of uneventful boredom unless we find some important thought momentarily hidden and then revealed within our boredom. Perhaps, this is when and how the sculpture began. Halley’s Comet and the fact that it is periodic and only visible to us every 75-76 years; provides a beginning, which in and of itself, is an event. The comet is on a far reaching elliptical orbit, a self-referential timed event, chronicled historically, beginning in 239 BCE in China. Mark Twain who was born and raised very near Quincy famously said that he was born on the arrival of Halley’s Comet in 1835 but would probably not be on Earth to witness the return. This proved to be true as he did pass away within the year of the return. Our perception of all things is contingent upon our ability to see, our individual vision. Things that are unseen or left out are many times as valuable to our understanding as what is visible. Some objects mirror other objects within our field of vision. An object like the comet is only occasionally visible. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t there it just means we lack the long range vision to see it. We do know however, it’s out there physically but imperceptible. I’ve incorporated two purposeful dates into the sculpture: 2020 the year of the placement of the sculpture and 2061 the return date of the comet. The students attending Quincy Junior High School today may very well see the return of Halley’s Comet, it’s unlikely I will. This will give me and Mark Twain something in common. What the world will look like in 41 years is of course unknowable and un-seeable today. This is at the core of the sculpture. The seen and the unseen, the thing and the no-thing.

J. Jenkins © 04.17.2020

© 2020 Jim Jenkins. COSMIC CLOCKWORK COMET by Jim Jenkins for Quincy Junior High School “Celebration of Education Sculpture Series.”

© 2020 Jim Jenkins. COSMIC CLOCKWORK COMET by Jim Jenkins, funded by The Moorman Foundation & Arts Quincy.

© 2020 Jim Jenkins. COSMIC CLOCKWORK COMET, drawing by Jim Jenkins.

As we all continue to self-Isolate, remember that communication with others via digital dialogue helps us to be together alone. STAY WELL! 

© 2020 Louise Levergneux. Beauty is everywhere. First Light, Hybrid Torch Cactus in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Montréal, Québec

While in Canada for the month of August, I planned a trip to the Eastern Townships in Québec. This was naturally a delightful week of visiting longtime friends and talented artists. 

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Conteurs d’eau exhibition by François Chamberland at Galerie Art Plus in Sutton, Québec.

I could not pass through Montréal, on my way back to Ottawa, without a stop to visit Guylaine Couture and an introduction to a fantastic book binder, Cécile Côté. 

What a lovely day of touring Cécile’s independent studio. Cécile recently moved her studio in her home on the Island of Montréal. Her new studio space consist of three substantial rooms full of equipment and tools for producing her exquisite work. The congenial atmosphere is one of a dedicated artist to her outstanding craftsmanship.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Details of Cécile Côté’s studio in Montréal.

As I entered her home, the aroma of freshly baked quiche was in the air. Guylaine Couture dropped by to spend time sharing ideas and recent work with me and Cécile. The three of us conversed about artists’ books and binding as we enjoyed « nous avons dégusté » a marvelous quiche, corn on the cob and a salad prepared by Cécile.

Guylaine Couture has been producing artist's book for several years. This artistic form allows her to create works in which the content and structure merge to make the message more powerful.

After years of creating drawings, gouache and collages, a short binding workshop positioned her on the trail of artist's book. The latter has become her main discipline although Guylaine continues to generate works on paper.

Guylaine is obsessed with reusing printed documents. Her work attempts to divert this abundant material too easily discarded. The artist reflects at length on the visitor's reaction to the book and develops her work so that emotions are present at first sight. For Guylaine, the "reader" must live an experience.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Guylaine Couture’s new artists’ books in the form of Zines.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Guylaine Couture in Cécile’s Studio.

Cécile Côté works diligently under the imprint Relieur at Atelier de reliure Cécile Côté. As a binder Cécile includes: binding of art, accordion albums, notepads, greeting cards, and ex-libris in her production.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Cécile demonstrates her taste for colour and design in the staircase leading to the garage, another filled studio space.

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Cécile’s studio situated in the garage of her home. This space is for types and heavy equipment.

It's Cécile’s passion to design and manufacture unique art bindings whose execution follows the language of the words they carry. In love with typography, the artist allows words to guide her choice of materials, styles, textures, and sensations to be created. "Meaning and matter, tradition and modernity, merge into an original expression where the sight, the touch, the sense of smell and the meaning of words converge."

On her blog, Cécile shows us her craft as she gives life to a damaged bible.

© 2010 Cécile Côté. One of the great pleasures of book repair is that there is a "before" and an "after". And these phases are even more remarkable when the book is significantly damaged. / « Un des grands plaisirs de la réparation de livres, c'est qu'il y a un "avant" et il y a un "après." Et c'est d'autant plus remarquable quand le livre est très abimé. »

© 2019 Louise Levergneux. Cécile reading the poem from her book T for Trouchie , full goatskin leather binding with doublures of the same leather and suede flyleaves. Decorated inlay. Original text is letterpress printed from polymer plates by binder. / T for Trouchie, reliure plein chevre avec garde bord à bord du même cuir et gardes volantes en daim. Textes originaux imprimés sur papier BFK Rives et papier japon Iwami sur une presse manuelle avec plaques en polymère.

© 2011 Cécile Côté. T for Trouchie by Cécile Côté.

After a pleasant inspiring afternoon, I was invited to rejoin them next year for a week filled with ideas and tips on artists’ books and binding. What a treat, looking forward to absorb knowledge from these wonderful women artists.

Québec, seconde partie

The stores on Park Ave in Montréal were filled with amazing fruits and vegetables. The vegetables made me hungry for Greek food and my next studio visit.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux

It’s always nice to be back home to hear French and even nicer to speak the language as I share thoughts on art with another artist. I got the chance to visit with artist bookmaker Guylaine Couture in Montréal. 

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, a wonderful huge Calder-esque red mobile welcomes you as you walk in Guylaine's atelier. The sculpture added a smile to my face.

 This small, fresh, and comfortable space is where Guylaine creates her art form (forme artistique). The media of artists’ book allows her to create works in which both contents and form (le contenu et le contenant) merge a powerful message (message percutant). For Guylaine, the «reader» has to live an experience.

Pour moi, le «lecteur» doit vivre une expérience.”

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Guylaine sitting in her studio

The artist drafts the message, analyzes the meaning of words and images, and develops (élabore avec minutie) the final form of the book with accuracy through re-using printed documents. Guylaine also uses the preservation of the forgotten zone of a photo and the recycling of material having already lived. Her works attempt to show the potential of this plentiful material too easily discarded.

Mes œuvres tentent de détourner cette abondante matière trop facilement larguée.

Touched by the reaction to Donald Trump's election last March, 2017, Guylaine created Want to be heard. This book began in the form of a tunnel book but at the end, the book needed a more open structure. This book can be seen from both sides.

© 2017 Guylaine Couture, Want to be Heard

© 2017 Guylaine Couture, Want to be Heard

Guylaine’s book New dress against disease/Nouvelles robes contre la maladie makes the link between cancer in women and the humanities: art therapy, philosophy, economics, technology... 

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, New dress against disease/Nouvelles robes contre la maladie

© 2016 Guylaine Couture, New dress against disease/Nouvelles robes contre la maladie

It was wonderfufl to be able to handle her beautiful book entitled Alonely as Guylaine explained the process and the story behind the book. The title is a play on the word seul/alone and isolé/lonely. 

© 2011, Guylaine Couture, Alonely

© 2011 Guylaine Couture, Guylaine flipping the pages of her book Alonely

 The text in her book Alonely is from Guylaine’s own diary. She wanted to draw a parallel between the serene movement of jellyfishes and other living beings in the depths of the ocean and her difficulties living a period of solitude. 

I did a lot of research and drawings of the ocean and of what lives in it. After a few months of experimentation, I developed a more personal way of doing monotypes.

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Guylaine is another artist who writes detailed packing information for her delicate books when shipping them to galleries

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, I was intrigued by these tiny little houses in Guylaine's atelier, they were templates for her artists' book Everyone Needs a Home

© 2017 Guylaine Couture, Everyone Needs a Home created for the exhibition "Built" at 23 Sandy Gallery

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, Guylaine Couture with her press talking of the possibility of working together next year

© 2017 Louise Levergneux, outside Guylaine's studio

Merci Guylaine pour la belle visite !