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

Baren Digest              Tuesday, 9 February 1999      Volume 06 : Number 439

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From: "Jeanne N. Chase" <studiojnc@prodigy.net>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 08:47:58 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2967] Re: print exchange and others  

RAy

Now that you mentioned that there was ONE print that you did not want in
your collection everyone is saying "Say it is not me".

Oh, how insecure we artists are!

Jeanne

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 08:55:06 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2968] Re: doubles and triples. 

>and the one and only Graham.......(<'  .....I can see the postings now.....

Yes there is only one Graham but look on the bright side.  There is no way
to confuse our target, and Lord knows, the target never stops leaving
himself open for shots.

Cheers
Ray

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 09:11:12 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2969] Re: print exchange and others

>Now that you mentioned that there was ONE print that you did not want in
>your collection everyone is saying "Say it is not me".

Jeanne

Aren't people funny?  I tossed that in meaning MY print which, if you will
forgive my language, sucks.  After my heart attack I had to rush through the
printing and did a horrible job knowing there was a deadline.

But having given my word that I would participate, I couldn't allow a little
thing like a heart attack to keep me out.  After all, if one cannot keep
their word, what honor do they have left?  Kidding aside, the print isn't
really that bad but it's just not something I am overly proud of even though
it is just my third woodcut.  Some may actually like it.  To my mind, member
comments will be welcome suggestions so that I can grow in my art and I look
forward to them..

As to the other point you make, as soon as I sent it, I wondered if
participants would think I was talking about their prints.  Of course I
would not.  There are magnificent prints in the collection and everyone who
joined in will be proud to own it and those who did not, could not or were
not members at the time will be kicking themselves.  Please believe me when
I say I would never be critical of other artists.  It's a waste of time.  At
the same time I can say I have a thousand questions, mostly, "how you do
that"?

Cheers
Ray

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From: Cucamongie@aol.com
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 09:22:14 EST
Subject: [Baren 2970] Re: Bamboo sub for the underpriviledged 

Maria wrote:
>I have been using home-made
>wood barens, also a polyurethane type which works okay for my purposes. I
> found that cooking parchment, sold in most grocery stores in the baking
> section, works well to cover my so-called barens. It is strong and glides
>over the paper easier than the plain wood or plastic.  

Sounds like an interesting solution!  Just wanted to mention that Daniel Smith
carries a "disk baren" which is pretty good and not too expensive, but what's
much better than that (and still not anywhere near as expensive as the
traditional baren) is the Murosaki baren, which you can get from McClain's -
it is covered with a bamboo skin, but the inside coil is synthetic - I just
got one of these and it works really well - more expensive than what you're
talking about, but worth looking into if you're interested in trying something
closer to the traditional type of baren - 
Regards,

Sarah

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Subject: [Baren 2971] 
Errant posting ...

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From: Mary Dornenburg <bedfdsq@bellatlantic.net>
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 11:05:58 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2972] Hinges & Bamboo sub 

I agree completely with Cyndy.

Stay away from surgical tape for hinges. After fifteen years of picture
framing, I could only safely advise hinges made from rice paste and
washi. The hinge MUST give way before the print does or you will have a
damaged work of art. I have heard  stories from museum people that would
scare the ghosts from a haunted house. 

Choose your longest fiber handmade paper and use your regular rice
paste. I always kept a box of mylar squares to place under the hinges
(so that they don't stick to anything while they dry) and small squares
of blotters to absorbe moisture. I made weights out of small jars filled
with shot or sand, but eventually, a customer gave me a set of leather
pouches filled with "something" that were wonderful. I still use those.
I used to make batches of T shaped hinges in various sizes and weights
on slow days to save me time. There is a commercial type of premixed
paste with preservative that costs a fortune, but in an emergency was
worth the compromise. It is marketed under the name Zen paste.

In my opinion, the most unsafe handling of art happens in shipping,
galleries and museums so take the time to protect your work, even if you
work with a framer. (I also have horror stories about framers.)

Filmoplast tape is a German product and I believe it is used by the
Library of Congress and yes I have made the decision to use it, but I
have never considered it truly reversible. Most conservation people
don't like any adhesive in the frame package that sticks on contact. If
that hinge moves inside the frame, it could move right onto the image.

Also, I like to keep the space at the top of the T-shaped hinge (where
the vertical and horizontal meet) free of rice paste, so that I can slip
a small flat tool under that hinge and easily remove it at the top bar
(horizontal) and transfer that print to another mat without disturbing
the part of the hinge attached to the artwork. Very good for picky
customers who change their mind a lot.

Bamboo skin subs:

Hiroshi Yoshida had us putting ball chain in our barens back in 1975. I
soon found out how fast ball chain will eat up bamboo. After repairing
with various plastic tapes, I found vinyl wall papers here in the U.S.
that were ribbed or were simulated bamboo. Some of them work quite well.
Yoshida-san taught me that if it looks good, take it home and try it in
the studio and if it works, then just tell everyone that you planned it
from the beginning. I still like the feel of bamboo but I always
experiment.
                                          
Enough for now....
                                           
Mary Dornenburg                        
Bedford Square Framery

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From: James G Mundie <jimandkatemundie@juno.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 10:58:53 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2973] A Patrick Designs press; mounting tape 

Ray wrote:
>I forgot to mentionthat one of the most important reasons I wanted to 
>drive to Philly to meet Jim and Kate besides delivering my print, was to
>inspect his new press... 
>For the money I was overwhelmed and now can't wait for mine to get here.
>This is definitly not a piece of crap but is on a par with any of the presses put 
>out by any of the larger well known companies.

Indeed!  Place your orders now before the Canadian economy recovers.

***

On the subject of mounting tape which has been bantied about the past
couple of days, Cyndy said:

>Filmoplast is pretty good stuff, but most custom picture framers will only use 
>oriental papers torn to hinge size 

I was trained to use rice paper hinges, but the problem with this method
(especially when there isn't much of a margin to be hidden under a mat)
is that the paste on the hinge can cause the paper of the print to
buckle.  I found that even with careful blotting and weighting, the spot
where the hinge meets the paper is visible.  For ease of use, I much
prefer the pre-gummed linen tape made 
by Lineco, Inc. (P.O. Box 2604, Holyoke, Massachusetts 01041,  telephone
number is 413-533-4387).  I have used two varieties:  the
water-reversible gummed linen tape (#L533-1025), and the self-adhesive
linen hinging tape (#L533-1015).  Both are neutral pH, strong and lay
flat.  The former is a little thicker than than the latter, which I've
found to be just as good as Filmoplast.

I especially like to use the self-adhesive tape on mulberry, because no
extra moisture needs to be introduced to the paper. 

Mise le meas,
James Mundie, Philadelphia USA

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From: Gary Luedtke <GLuedtke@compuserve.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 12:04:03 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2974] Hinges & Bamboo sub 

Mary wrote:
>Hiroshi Yoshida had us putting ball chain in our barens back in 1975. 

Mary, I wonder if you meant Toshi Yoshida, as Hiroshi died in 1950.    If,
on the other hand, you are a medium, let me know, I've got a few questions
for Hiroshi.

Gary

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Subject: [Baren 2975]
Post deleted

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From: Mary Dornenburg <bedfdsq@bellatlantic.net>
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 13:12:14 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2976] Re: Hinges & Bamboo sub 

Gary Luedtke wrote: 
> Mary, I wonder if you meant Toshi Yoshida, as Hiroshi died in 1950.  

Gary, I need a brain transplant. I worked with his son Hodaka. He was a
great one for experimenting. (I even proofed that error.) Sorry.

M.

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Subject: [Baren 2977] 
Post deleted

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From: woodcuts@concentric.net (D. Joseph/R. Sexauer)
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 10:18:33 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2978] Re: printmaking job announcement 

This came across my "desktop" the other day - thought I'd share it with you
all in case there are any qualified members out there looking. If any of
you will be at the CAA, seek me out at the 2 printmaking sessions.

Kim, I'll be at the Southern Graphics Council Confab in Tempe with many
students in tow.

Jean, your print arrived safe & sound. Mr. Yun loved getting it!

Roxanne

***

Art (Printmaking).  North Dakota State University invites applications for
a tenure-track position in Visual Arts with primary responsibilities in
printmaking. Rank/salary based upon qualifications and experience.
Qualifications: M.F.A. in Printmaking; demonstrated record of/potential for
excellence in university teaching, creative work, exhibition record, and
printmaking studio administration; effective oral and written communication
skills; non-toxic printmaking experience desirable.  Duties include
teaching all aspects and levels of printmaking, as well as contributions as
a collegial generalist in other areas, especially art history, drawing,
computer applications, and/or foundations; other typical faculty service
duties.  Formal application review will begin March 1, 1999;  earlier
applications encouraged.  Send letter specifically addressing above duties
and qualifications, r=E9sum=E9, 20 slides each of recent and students' work,
reference letters, transcripts (copies acceptable), SASE for return of
slides.   Further materials may be requested later.   Send to:  E. John
Miller, Director, NDSU Fine Arts, Box 5691, Fargo, ND 58105.  Email
inquiries/nominations  encouraged: ejmiller@badlands.nodak.edu.  NDSU is an
Equal Opportunity Institution.

John Miller
Director, Division of Fine Arts
North Dakota State University
701-231-7932

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 12:33:01 -0600
Subject: [Baren 2979] Re: comments!!!! 

Jacob:
Enjoyed your posting on background & names, also your state jokes....but... what
happened to the greatest state in the country? The state that elected Kennedy
(politics !), the state that gave us the greatest basketball player in the
world(Michael Jordan), the state with the greatest baseball park (Wrigley
Field)...... the land of Lincoln !!!!!

Jim: (names & looks)
I guess lot of people have these  problems with names. Actually I don't think is
a problem at all, just that sometimesit gets out of hand. Don't let Ray pick on
you about your looks....I thought he was suppose to be nice to you for 48 hours
????
Thanks for the great job collating all the prints....more on this later

Gayle: (are you sorry you asked?)
Not at all. I am glad your mom is better. I often struggle with similar problems
as my mother leaves alone and is not in the best of health. Caring for our
elderly is one of the biggest challenges our nation has to face.  The days when
several generations lived in the same household are all but gone.

Ok, back to work.... 

JULIO

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Subject: [Baren 2980] 
Post deleted

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 09:49:30 +0900
Subject: [Baren 2981] Like father, like son ... not! 

A passage from Hiroshi Yoshida's book (1939):

> ... that is not the right way to work. Such an artist may be likened to
> the skipper who sails out of a harbour without any fixed destination in
> mind. The ship proceeds over the sea this way or that, as willed by the
> wind and tide, and then when he comes in sight of land, the skipper
> points to it and says that that is his destination. That is absurd.

His son Hodaka's ideas ... (related by Mary):

> Yoshida-san (Hodaka) taught me that if it looks good, take it home and try it in
> the studio and if it works, then just tell everyone that you planned it
> from the beginning. 

Interesting!  What do you think Mary, is Hodaka san's comment some kind
of reaction against his father's way of doing things?  

Dave

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From: "Gregory D. Valentine" <gvalen@linfield.edu>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 19:24:43 -0800 (PST)

  I am delighted with the parchment baren-cover suggestion; not only are
bamboo sheves difficult to find, and in quantity/quality, etc., I
personally have never been greatly successful in tying one.  Perhaps thin
vellum might work?  Has anyone tried corn sheves? I like the ball chain
idea too, and will try that.  I have laminated veneer to make the backing;
knotted cord and wrapped wire for the core, but a successful cover other
than bamboo I have not found.  I have a Murasaki baren and it is
greatly better than the cardboard art shop variety, but once was permitted
to use a professional baren; it was so much superior as to be a different
device entirely.         
                        
--GV (since I'm one of three I'll use 2 initials) 

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Subject: [Baren 2983] 
Post deleted

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@islandnet.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 23:01:00 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2984] Re: baren covers. 

Grey V wrote....
>  I am delighted with the parchment baren-cover suggestion; not only are
>bamboo sheves difficult to find, and in quantity/quality, etc., I
>personally have never been greatly successful in tying one.

If you have never had anyone show you I would think it would be very
difficult read about the procedure.
What this world needs is a how to video.

>Perhaps thin vellum might work?

I never had any success and besides it ware out in very short order.

>Has anyone tried corn sheves?

This is an interesting idea.  Next fall I will raid the corn field and have
a go.

Regards,

Graham

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End of Baren Digest V6 #439
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