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This is the first blog post introducing my project Atlas — a series grounded in personal historical research. It explores time, lineage, and culture, while also delving into spirituality, religion, and art.
Cover for Atlas as of September 2026
This could turn out to be quite a long project!
My intention is to document this process as I go along. If you would like to see any blog entries about this project, go back to my blog landing page, OR look for the tag "Atlas" under Categories in the right column of any blog page.
Links to Other Posts About Atlas
In addition, I will continually update this page with links to blog entries about Atlas listed below.
The Background for Atlas
The Sun’s Nocturnal Return ©Leslie Peterson Sapp
When I created my Archeology Art series, I chose the subject for each piece on a whim- whatever archeological find happened to strike my fancy.
Throughout the ages, people have used art to express their collective spiritual beliefs. So, of course many of the archeological finds I was inspired by reflected this.
Throughout the ages, people have used art to express their collective spiritual beliefs. So, of course many of the archeological finds I was inspired by reflected this.
But whenever I made art centered on Northern European artifacts, another layer of intrigue was added.
Though I had a very general idea that most of my ancestors were from Northern Europe, I began some basic genealogical research to get a more precise picture.
I became captivated by the idea that one of my ancestors may have actually seen some of these sacred objects. What forms of art and belief might there have been in my ancestral past?
Seahenge ©Leslie Peterson Sapp
The Structure of the Series
My goal is to research my ancestors and the places they lived, and transform what I uncover into a new series, comprised of stand-alone paintings and an artist book, which would emulate the form of an atlas.
An enduring fascination with sequence and time draws me to the artist’s book as a way to process complex ideas. Atlas unfolds as an evolving book, its imagery developing intuitively as I engage in historical research.
Below are a few images of the beginning framework of my "Atlas"— the skeleton, you might say.
Leaping Off the Page
At times, certain pages call for expansion, evolving into standalone wall pieces that extend beyond the confines of the book.
As I create the pages, certain concepts and materials draw me to delve into them deeper, creating "spin-off series" as I go.
Green-Blue Belief with Oval Frame and Unspiraling Doily, 12x18 cyanotype, gold leaf on paper
You can see more of these stand-alone pieces by following the links listed above.
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