Thursday, January 17, 2019

What I Learned in 2018


Well, here it is, the book that you have heard about many times over the last eight years.

COMMON TIDE
Port Aransas, Texas
Photographs Inspired by the Mercer Logs 1866 to 1877
Billie Mercer

It is a large book, 12 by 12, 166 pages. Perfect bound with a linen cover and printed dust jacket. 

How did it come to be? It started as an idea of things to do while Ned was going through treatment for cancer. I wanted to keep him busy with fun things. Ned's family were the first settlers on the northern end of Mustang Island in about 1855 and that settlement eventually became known as Port Aransas. We had vacationed there many times when our boys were young, so we loved the island. I told Ned that I wanted to work on a photography book about the island and use the logs or daily diaries that his family had written as a guide in making those photographs. Ned was always willing to go anywhere with me when I pulled out my camera so, April 2011, was the first trip. The trips continued even after Ned passed away. In fact, making this book became more important to me.

Starting in early 2015, I uploaded to Blurb different versions of the book, even had some of them printed as a proof. I wasn't satisfied with any of them. At the same time, I was looking for other publishers, graphic designers, getting estimates, and learning more and more about self-publishing. I was looking for the perfect book and I was looking for approval. Needless to say, I became discouraged and dropped the project for months.

Fears about artmaking fall into two families: fears about yourself, and fears about your reception by others. In a general, fears about yourself prevent you from doing your best work, while fears about your reception by others prevent you from doing your own work.
                                         Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland

In January 2018, I wrote out what I really wanted, a book for my family. I put aside all my concerns about the cost or marketing the book; or what a designer or publisher might want. 

Everything I had done earlier was dumped and I started over. I learned more about Adobe InDesign and fonts. Almost every day, I spent time on the book and in late October I uploaded the book to get a proof print. My sons received copies of the book for Christmas. I have to tell you that I'm pleased that I pushed this big project though but now I am excited about the responses I've gotten from photographers and book people. Who knows what might happen in 2019. Maybe it will get published for a wider audience. 

What I learned in 2018, and should have already known, is follow my heart and my vision. Just do it!

12 comments:

  1. Amen, I never knew that you had doubts! I can hardly wait to see the book. Can I see it soon? I'm so gosh darned proud of you for your persistence and pluck! I KNOW it will be stunning to see and read. Onward my friend.

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    1. Babs, it wasn't so much doubts as being overcome with the volume of data and images to curate and then looking too far down the road at publishing and letting that influence the creative process. Overload!

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  2. Congratulations Billie on a monumental task to make a book that is not only a delight for the eyes but memories and medicine for the soul. I envy your abilities.

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  3. So glad you followed your heart and your vision!

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  4. I'm so very proud of you Billie, you did it! This is such a beautiful tribute to Ned's family and your images are exquisite! The trips we shared in your pursuit for just the right places (with chickens and cows) are very special memories. I definitely want one of these on my coffee table!

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    1. Debbie having you along on some of this journey made the work easier.

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  5. I need to get back up your way. Congratulations on the book.

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    1. Steve, on your next trip to SMA, I'd love to show you the book.

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