EST. 2013
A collection of Linda’s artworks, designs, humanitarian projects and publications where light, space, and mathematical precision intersect.
In case you are wondering why some elements of my first book are designed in this particular way — especially why the title is so big whereas my name so small — I have made a video explaining the rationals behind my design choices.
For those who are interested in visual art and graphic design (and those who want to hear me speaking ‘Canadian’ English).
Today I am launching my first photo book, Roads Go Ever Ever On (2021). Worldwide shipping available. Please visit my Etsy store or contact me to arrange a purchase and delivery.
Specification of the physical book:
This photo book comprises 82 photographs taken during my two as-yet biggest bike tours that are 10 years apart: the first across Canada in 2009 (11,000 km) and the second across half of Europe in 2019 (3,400 km). At the beginning, I was thinking of publishing two books focusing on each journey individually, but in the end I decided to combine them into one volume, without clearly differentiating between the two parts. By so doing, I hope to demonstrate the universality of nature and the unity of humanity.
Photographs in this book come in pair: the photograph on the one side is purposely chosen to echo or contrast the photograph on the other side, be it by composition, colour, subject matter, colour or whatnot. For example, one recurring theme is nature vs. human civilisation. Visual cues aside, hints are also given in the titles of the works that may help readers to make the connexion between the two photographs within a pair and the pairs within the global sequence order.
This project’s original title was ‘Forever’, taken from Stratovarius’ song of the same name to which I referred several times in my preface and in naming my photographs. As the project evolved, it became clear that a different title was in need to capture its new essence. I have come up with several options and this one, borrowed from a renowned literary source and suggested by my friend Mary-Jane (who also graciously served as the proof-reader of my preface), best describes what I intended to convey to my readers. It also alludes to the subject of my next book, which will fill in the 10-year gap between my two solo cycling adventures.
I hope my readers will enjoy flipping through this book as much as I did in making it.
There are 28 copies of the Collector’s Edition for sale at the price of $180 per copy. Each of them come with a different original drawing of mine. There are also 172 copies of the Regular Edition without numbering nor drawing at the price of $50 per copy.
For those who opt to have the Collector’s Edition, here is a sneak peak of my drawings in progress.
You may communicate with me on what drawing you want to receive. So long as it depicts a location I have travelled through (15,000 km through 6 countries, that’s a lot of choices!), I will happily produce it for you. In the absence of preference from your part, I will assign a drawing to you based on my personal bias and my knowledge of you.
So far each drawing takes 6-20 hours to complete. I hope this addition makes the book’s high price tag justifiable.
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
I plan on self-publishing my first photo book Roads Go Ever Ever On this year.
Originally, I was thinking of making two books, with one focusing on my Tour of Canada, the other on my Tour of Europe. But after much considerations, I decided to juxtapose 82 photographs taken during these two solo adventures that are 10 years apart, without clearly drawing the distinction. Only in the index at the end of the book will readers see where these photographs were taken.
It will be printed and bounded by BookArt in Montreal, on the Canadian Spicers Supreme Silk Cover 60lb paper, hardcover with dust jacket.
Originally, I was thinking of relying on Blurb‘s online service, but in the end, I decided to partner with a local Montreal-based art book maker, BookArt instead. They specialise in small production (typically 100-150 copies) of art books, and actually do print at a number smaller than 100 upon request. They use the same Indigo printing system that Blurb uses, and allow me to see the proof of everything and choose from more finishing options (like foil stamping, cloth cover material / colour, etc.). The paper is also Canada-sourced and FSC-certificated. Therefore, my book is entirely Canadian and environmentally friendly.
All of my photographs have been previously published, so the only new thing is the preface I wrote for this occasion. It’s been proof-read by Her Majesty of English Language Mary-Jane, hence is guaranteed to be an enjoyable read.