[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking.

Baren Digest             Sunday, 13 September 1998     Volume 04 : Number 278

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 17:51:22 +0900
Subject: [Baren 1647] Re: other points 

Julio wrote:
>There is one telling
>print by Utamaro that shows three young ladies busy at printmaking. One is
>sharpening a knife, another is carving a block and the other looks like she
>is making a print.  I get visions of modern day sweat shops with children
>and underpaid laborers doing the repetitive labor.

Actually Julio, that was never intended to be a realistic depiction of
people at work.  All that sort of work was done by male craftsmen, and
they certainly weren't dressed like that!  What you are seeing is a
fashion plate, of a type known as a 'pastiche'.  We sometimes see
similar things in modern magazines, especially fashion magazines.  The
photographers take the girls and pose them anywhere - it's not intended
to be realistic.  And the same thing was happening in 1790 ...

***

Julio wrote re Mr. Michener:
>I think he would be very pleased that the art form he loved so very much is
>in good hands.

He _did_ know about my project Julio, and he did express appreciation
for what I was trying to do.  I'm glad that he lived long enough to see
me well on my way, but of course I am greatly saddened that he didn't
see all 100.  But _what_ a complete and wonderfully productive life he
built for himself!

***

George Aar wrote:
>After reading Sunday's postings I finally think I have something worthwhile
>to contribute.

Hello George, thanks for chiming in about finding the Tokuriki book.  Is
the one you found the _same_ one Dave Stones was talking about? 
Tokuriki has another one out in English - 'Wood-block Print Primer',
published by Japan Publications - and that one is not quite as
interesting as the one under discussion - 'Woodblock
Printing', published by Hoikusha.  (But it _is_ useful too.  Grab it if
you get a chance.)

As for your walnut, that's pretty hard stuff and you had better keep
your knives sharp!  You may also find that if you try printing with
water-based pigments on it, that the water will not 'soak in' quite as
nicely as it does with cherry.  But give it a shot - we would love to
hear about how you do!

***

Dave Stones wrote:
> I see no problem with copying the Tokuriki book, for your own use ...

Dave, any chance of getting permission from the old man himself (or from
his daughter, or somebody close to him) for putting it in the Library
section of our Encyclopedia?

Without such permission, I can't touch it of course ...

Dave B.

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From: Sheryl Coppenger <sheryl@seas.gwu.edu>
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 07:47:19 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: [Baren 1648] Re: pressing press update 

Ray wrote:
> In my reply to Sheryl concerning the $99 small press, I was working under
> the idea this was the etching press.  I just got my copy of Jerry's Catalog
> and what I should have been talking about is Speedball's Roma Studio
> Blockprinting Press.
> 
> In my opinion, iti s a piece of junk.  ...

> IMHO, spending $99 for this would be a waste of money.  ...

Oh well, it's on its way and I'll take a look at it.  Thanks for your 
email.  When it arrives I'll let the list know if I don't agree with
your review.

Sheryl Coppenger   

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End of Baren Digest V4 #278
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