It was the answer to the problem I didn't quite know I was having. I had been working on pages that I printed from an online source of various ledger pages in various formats and was planning to buy some, but couldn't quite bring myself to purchase any. The pages were unfolding each day, but I felt somewhat estranged from them, although I didn't actually know it at the time...I only see it in retrospect. But Susan's comment and the subsequent light bulb going on over my head, made me realize that there was a disconnect between the sterile, hard edge grid of the ledger pages and the kind of marks I make. It was working as a daily practice, but a shift was needed for me to feel good about them as visual statements in and of themselves. So I hauled the small tabletop lightbox from Johntimothy's studio into mine and made a bare bones template of my homemade ledger page....not a format that would in any way be useful for an accountant, that's for sure! Now, before I make each day's drawing, I trace the basic grid on the lightbox and then add more lines making the grid denser and incorporating it in various ways into the drawing. This gives me a chance to show you more of last week's drawings on the pre-printed ledger paper and then beginning with Saturday, August 11th on my hand-drawn pages. Hopefully you'll agree that it's an improvement. Susan, thanks so much for the comment and suggestion for the envelopes....you helped me make a huge leap! And now, to develop those envelopes...stay tuned!
My apologies for those fluorescent colored bars going across some of the pieces....they are NOT in the photographs, but seem to be making a guest appearance only here on Blogger, alas.
Before I sign off and head for bed to rest up for the work week ahead, wanted to show you the latest two additions to the Notes From the Ancestors series...no.5 and no. 6 are here and can be found (and purchased) through my website, robertspizzuto.com. I do love making this series....the format allows for so many possibilities to play together on the page.
Okay, it's late and I'm quite tired....hope your week has started off on the right foot and your week unfolds with delightful surprises and revelations!
Cheers!
As an ex-accountant who learned and actually worked on those pre-printed ledger pages {and no doubt has a pad or two of them spirited away somewhere still}, your hand drawn ledger pages are heavenly. I have severe ledger page lust to add to my incurable case of tea bag envy.
ReplyDeleteJennifer...ah, we share so many interests....perhaps lusts if the better term...teabags and ledger pages! I love to see a page full of numbers, pointing to the mathematical order underneath all the seeming chaos! And of course teabags....not enough can be said about the possibilities they hold! So glad you approve of the homemade ledger pages!
DeleteWonderful idea to make your own ledger pages -- I suspect you'll feel more connected to the art as you work on pages of your own making. I've made envelopes myself - using preprinted paper and its a lot of fun!
ReplyDeletePenny....yes, already feel more connected. With the underlying grid of my own making, which I can alter to suit my passing fancy, the possibilities for the pages grows in all sorts of new ways! I'm sure I'll have as much fun with the envelopes....it's now a question of finding the time! Cheers!
DeleteI've been swooning over No.5 and No.6 of the Ancestor series. Beautiful work! Enjoying the ledger series too.
ReplyDeleteRobyn....so glad you like the Ancestor series....they are the stage for a real conversation with the muses and all the endless ancestors shared by us all! Thanks so much!
DeleteWow, what an improvement! I love the last 3 and I think the last one is my favorite. Wonderful idea. xoxo
ReplyDeleteAnnie....glad to hear that resounding "yes"....I liked the new ones more as the days went on and felt especially connected to the last one myself. Thanks for chiming in here!!
DeleteThe ledger work certainly seems more authentic and tantalising now you have total control Patti. More work I guess to make your own paper and envelopes but in the end, really really worth the effort. They are looking amazing.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I popped in to visit the Ancestors and would have to say they are my absolute favourites ...... are you still going to continue with them?
Susan....yes, definitely more authentic with more control and more conversation in the entire drawing process. Plus, more fun! So glad you like them....thank you once again for your suggestion, which turned everything around! And the Ancestors will be continuing for sure.....there are a LOT of ancestors through the ages to converse with, so the series should grow for a long time to come! Thank you so much! I think I overheard some suggestions from the Ancestors for the ledger pages....I'll have to tune in more closely to that conversation! Cheers!
DeleteThe ledgers are certainly leading you to enjoyable places Patti - and I do love the Ancestors...something about the layout/grid work in them really speaks to me. Go well
ReplyDeleteyes! just yes! i don't know why, but i'm imagining these in translucent envelopes. also, i'm hungry for more.
ReplyDelete