Last Christmas a good friend gave me a book to draw in.
But it is not a book of blank pages, but a printed book.
In fact it is not a book, it is The Acts of the Parliament of Victoria” 1894, Index 1890-1894. It is A4 size, only 24 pages but bound in hard cover and leather. It was bought at a second hand book store.
This gift was both apt and prophetic. Apt, because I have been a law librarian for many years, using the laws in research. But little did any of us know last December that I would move from Sydney (New South Wales) to Melbourne (Victoria) to work in the Supreme Court Library, where Victorian (and Commonwealth Laws) are enforced.
Last December when I received this I immediately knew that I wanted to draw grand and beautiful Parliament of Victoria building in the “Acts of Parliament” legislation.
I sketched some then and have continued this last few weeks. I have sketched on seven pages so far (see below)
 |
| Inside the front doors -The Vestibule |
 |
| Floor tiles have beautiful colours and patterns |
As a librarian it has taken many years to be able to draw in books. I was ok drawing on scrap paper, flyers, tickets. Then I drew on maps. I have recently bought old published cheap books especially for drawing in.. still working on those projects.
I am still not sure if the of concept drawing in this legislation is good or not. Is it legal ? disrespectful and irreverent ? It probably would have been thrown away otherwise. This is all online now and shelf space in libraries is at a premium. Sometimes it is impossible to giveaway old law reports and legislation. So it is a good thing that I am giving it a new and continuing life…
This pondering deserves another blogpost oneday.
Alissa, this is wonderful! I am a librarian as well (retired), and I would not have thought of drawing iin old books. You gave it a new lease on life!
Alissa, I think it works fantastically, the subject matter combined with your super line drawings of the architecture of this building. You have captured some lovely details. Great project.
I also think your dinner time is so well spent capturing the inside of the library with the ladder, book shelves and marbled pages. Hope you are settling into your new job, your new work place has obviously given you lots of inspiration. Walking through the park, ducks and feathers , all documented in your wonderful drawings. X
I’m still struggling to draw in old books, despite knowing that many of them will otherwise be thrown out. I think the connection you have to the law, the content of the book and your sketches combine to make one interesting whole.
I’m still struggling to draw in old books, despite knowing that many of them otherwise will be thrown out.
The connection you have to the law, the content of the book and your sketches combine to make one interesting whole. Somehow these sketches have more meaning in this book than they would in a blank sketchbook.
I love your sketches but it makes me cringe to see drawings in books (sorry).