Friday, September 7, 2012

Just a little modification

This is a little story about what happens when art brings people closer together, people who would otherwise never have a connection.

My brother-in-law is a fascinating person. Mark's older brother, Leon, lives in St. Paul. He works at the Science Museum of Minnesota (and if you EVER have a chance to visit, it is highly recommended). You know all those hands-on exhibits? The ones where an excited 10-year-old boy will pound on button like 100 times in a row, and then move on to the next exhibit and hit another button 100 times? Leon is one of the people who makes sure those buttons, bells and whistles keep on working...for the next little boy or girl in line. They get lots of amazing exhibits at the Museum--Dead Sea Scrolls, dinosaurs--he works with all those things too.

Mark can remember when they were growing up on the farm in southern Minnesota and they shared a bedroom. Leon was the one who took apart radios...to modify them and make them better. Like being able to turn the radio on and off while you stayed in bed because it was a gazillion degrees below zero in the winter. Brrrr.

Years ago, Leon started journaling. For all I know, he has been journaling his life long before I ever met him. He never goes anywhere without his pen, paints and journal with watercolor paper. He has been making his own watercolor journals. When I say "making," I mean he picks up interesting old books, rips out all the pages, becomes a bookbinder and adds his own favorite watercolor paper.

Last summer (2011) when I went to Minnesota for a quilting retreat, Amanda Jean and Terri dropped me off after the retreat at Fleet Farm (I kept thinking they were dropping me off at the "Flea Farm". Huh?). Leon and my sister-in-law, Sharon, were meeting us at Fleet Farm, so I could spend the night with them and Leon would drop me off at the airport the next morning. Terri lives in a town in Wisconsin that Leon always passes through on a bike trip he takes every summer, from Chicago back to St. Paul.

Terri is also an avid watercolor artist. I thought to myself how awesome it would be for her to have one of Leon's amazing watercolor journals. This past July, Leon and I talked about it, but then it kind of drifted out of my mind. A couple of weeks ago, this arrived in the mail.
At first I couldn't think why he would send me a book about the Vietnam war, even though he was a veteran.

Then I opened it up. And I realized what I was holding in my hands. And then my eyes started getting misty. He had made this book specifically for my friend, Terri, to hold whatever works of art she would draw on its pages.
As I turned the book over and over, I realized what an amazing work of art it was, even with all those blank pages..
 
 Can you see the hand-sewn pages?
 
He included a postcard that he painted when he biked through Terri's town of Verona, Wisconsin.
 Samples of different pens and inks.
 
 
It took me a few minutes to fully comprehend this beautiful journal.

He has also turned his attention to restoring old sewing machines.
 
 
 
Leon finds that anything and everything can be enhanced and made better with a little modifying.

When we were in Minnesota in July, we were able to have a picnic in Leon and Sharon's back yard,along with their youngest daughter, Christina. We were also surprised by their other brother, Scott, wife LouAnn, and daughters, Michelle and Jessica. It was a fun evening.
Leon and niece Michelle
Thanks, Leon. Love you.

(Note to Leon: If you think this post needs modifying, I'm sure you'll let me know, right?)


15 comments:

05 08
Susan said... #

What a wonderful story! Leon must be a fabulous person! Well, of course he is- he's a cyclist!!

Archie The Wonder Dog said... #

Leon sounds like a wonderful person to know!!

Amy Friend said... #

Isn't that wonderful!

Mama Pea said... #

OMG. That is SO COOL! Terri is going to LOVE IT! I would LOVE IT! ;-) I am a sucker for hand-made books! What an awesome talent he has. He sounds like such a cool person! I can see why you got misty eyed when you saw what it was! Love it!

Terriaw said... #

When I opened this package, I couldn't figure out why you would be sending me a book about Vietnam. But then I remembered meeting Leon, and I remembered our conversation about this work. And then my eyes got misty too! I was in awe of this amazing book, full of the most beautiful watercolor paper, ready for ideas and inspiration. I loved the little painting Leon included of a scene about a mile from my house, and the sample sheet showing what pens and pencils look like on this paper. You are a wonderful friend with a wonderful family! Thank you for this book from the bottom of my heart.

Sara said... #

The best story I have heard in awhile!!! I am friends with Terri too thru blogging and I am so happy for her to have received the terrific journal your BIL sent you to give her! He seems like a wonderful person all the way around:)

Carla said... #

What a great post, Cindy! I love the journal...wish I could draw things that I see...would be so much fun. I just ran across a book about making 'new' books out of old book covers....great idea!

Leon said... #

I just do what I do. I work with young adults (kids) that help me look like I know what I'm doing.

leon said... #

Terri,
Some day I would like to meet you at my favorite coffee shop between Chicago and St Paul. The Uphill Grind Bicycle and Coffee in Cross Plains WI.
Once year I have been passing through on a bike journey.
Thanks to all for all the kind words

Katy Cameron said... #

Oh he sounds like a very cool guy to know, love the books, and such a great idea :o)

The Luedtke Family said... #

Yep, he is. He's pretty amazing. He's my Dad, and I love him! I think I carry a project everywhere I go because of him.

Deborah said... #

This is a wonderful tribute to a wonderfully talented man.

Lucy | Charm About You said... #

That is so cool and incredibly beautiful! What a talented guy :)

Valerie said... #

What a great story and a treasure. A gift truely from the heart.

OPQuilt said... #

You have the best relatives. To make a book from scratch? Amazing. I did three for my art classes in college, so yes, I did see that handsewn "signature" and those lovely glued-in endpapers, along with his personal stamp. What a treasure, and after reading Terri's note, I know that book has gone to a good home.

A lovely post--
Elizabeth