Baren Digest               Sunday, 20 August 2000       Volume 12 : Number 1119


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From: "Lezle Williams" <lezlewilliams@gwtc.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 08:36:38 -0600
Subject: [Baren 11029] Re: Baren #1118/ HIPS charset="iso-8859-1" 

I think you are referring to what is commonly called "HIPS" -
high impact polysterene.  I have used it some both for relief and
as a matrix.  It is very slick compared to wood- more like the
Resingrave, but it is very flexible and can be cut or jigsawed
with an X-Acto.  One can carve with woodcut or engraving tools.
I know Karla has used it a lot- if she is reading this she may
have more to add...

I don't have a relief posted, but here is a non-etch intaglio
with embossings carved on the polystyrene:

http://www.laughingcrow.org/more.html

The round plate was cut out of the HIPS, Imag-on was used for the
non-etch image and the embossings were carved with wood engraving
tools.  (Oh, and it is very inexpensive-  I bought a 4 foot by 8
foot piece for $12.00).

Lezle Williams
Mission, SD
www.laughingcrow.org

> up getting the position), showed several _very large_ block
prints ( some
> about 3 feet by 4 feet) which he had carved on an industrial
pvc plastic which
> is used for making signs. I have been trying to remember the
name of the
> product.  Has anyone ever tried this type of material


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From: B Mason <bemason@concentric.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 07:53:42 -0700
Subject: [Baren 11030] Koichi Yamamoto 

Kris,
This printmaking world is indeed small. Koichi went to school at PNCA
here in Portland, Oregon and I really like his work, in fact I have one
small print bought in a gallery that sadly is has closed it's doors. I
am glad Koichi is back from Poland, I worried about him and heard
interesting stories about his inventiveness using unusual materials when
he could not find the traditional ones. As I remember one was using beer
to etch litho stone, desperate people do desperate things! Please give
him my best, he will remember me if you mention the poster we printed
together for the Northwest Print Council. Koichi made the screens for us
and helped print it for very little $.
Barbara Mason


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From: "Jeanne Norman Chase" <studiojnc@prodigy.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 11:16:49 -0400
Subject: [Baren 11032] Re: Baren #1118/ HIPS charset="iso-8859-1" 

Lezle

Was very impressed with your site.
The Wildlife prints were wonderful.
 I would be interested in the HIPS material.
 We have a Home Depot near us, would that be a good place to purchase the
material, or where would you suggest.?
 I like the idea that it can be cut into various shapes with an x acto
knife.

Jeanne N


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From: Gayle Wohlken <blueman@pantek.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 13:59:36 -0400
Subject: [Baren 11033] Re: Baren Digest V12 #1118"Where I'm Going" 

Dave, showing us what your goals are with woodblock printmaking is a
great conclusion to your progress report, and I have enjoyed the whole
presentation immensely.  Thanks so much!

* * *
Graham, thank you for reassurances in the name of artistic expression
with skill levels being what they are for each of us.  And to Dave for
saying, "don't lose any sleep over it". 
I appreciate being accepted for being on me on path, mates, whatever
that path might be.

I'm downstairs printing posters, using my little poster press along with
handprinting 3/4 of the job on each one.  It's tedious, but finally I
worked out all the mathematics and they are lining up well and printing
where they are supposed to.  Everytime I push that roller over the type
on the press, I pray a little, and think of John Ryrie's skills,
realizing what a beginner I am when it comes to typesetting, et al.  The
poster looks okay, though.  

* * *
Still waiting for the last four Exchange #6 Prints to come in.  I think
we lost one.  Burt Bucher, are you out there?  You're the only one I
haven't heard from.  

Gayle

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From: barbara patera <b.patera@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 100 11:38:11 Pacific Daylight Time
Subject: [Baren 11034] Re; 11013fine lines and crafts vs. art... or deep dodo 

Hi Graham,

You wrote about fine lines.... I think one of the finest lines (if there is one) is between "crafts" and "art".All fine 
artists/craftsmen bring skill to their work... Whether it is with clay, wood or metal,etc., people have been turning 
out beautiful things and images since before recorded time and most of them fall into the realm of "craft"...they 
had a use.. 

No I don't know the names of these long ago creators,  but there are a lot of things I would give up to own the 
Willendorf Venus , a slab of rock with one of those great horse/bison paintings, a horse bronze from the Steppes, 
one of those anonymous early Christian icons, or some of the early African masks and bronzes.... the list goes on 
And if I remember rightly it has only been in the past 500 years or so that artists officially signed their work.

I guess what I'm trying to say in my long winded way is that I don't see the division between craft/art that is 
prevalent  in todays thinking.I see no reason for the useful to not be beautiful, a work of art.

Barbara P.

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From: B Mason <bemason@concentric.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 11:57:07 -0700
Subject: [Baren 11036] Crafts/art 

Barbara,
I second your statement, useful can be beautiful. As printmakers we are
all very involved with process and not just the creative process of
developing an image, but the technical process of doing a reasonably
good print. I admit that I am a process junkie and the more I learn the
better I like it. Every time I see another new process, I can't wait to
learn how to do it. Of couse I don't pursue them all, but I sure do want
to know how they are done. So is this craft? Is this Art? Who cares?
Only collectors who have a focused interest. Artists have long done work
only for their own development and not worried too much about sales. If
you start working from a sales point of view, your work goes downhill.
Happens every time because your heart is not as involved as it should
be! This doesn't mean I think artists should starve, far from it!
Barbara M

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From: barbara patera <b.patera@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 100 12:00:51 Pacific Daylight Time
Subject: [Baren 11037] Re:web 

Hi Lezle,
Nice prints.... wish I could see enlargements... looks to be a lot of detail work. You say this is on 
polysterene...Will have to try it.... looks like you can acheive etching without  acid.

Barbara P.

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From: Aqua4tis@aol.com
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 17:56:09 EDT
Subject: [Baren 11039] Re: Re; 11013fine lines and crafts vs. art... or deep dodo 

In a message dated 08/19/2000 11:45:37 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
b.patera@worldnet.att.net writes:

> I guess what I'm trying to say in my long winded way is that I don't see 
the 
> division between craft/art that is 
>  prevalent  in todays thinking.I see no reason for the useful to not be 
> beautiful, a work of art.
>  
  i agree with this statement     some of the people i admire are those 
involved in the arts and crafts movement  along with vanessa bell of the 
bloomsbury group   she and her companions made everything for their home for 
themselves  and i was just reading about an american artist from kansas that 
did beautiful paintings but also made antique toys did stitchery and sculpted 
      his name was lester raymer 
anyone heard of him?
    i think what has given crafts a bad name (or amateurish reputation)
georga recently are all the kits that are out there that once completed    
are entered into different shows as original work   the term craft is no 
longer associated with original one of a kind work   personally id like to 
see this change

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From: "Maria Arango" <maria@mariarango.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 15:42:35 -0700
Subject: [Baren 11041] crafts and pecan charset="iso-8859-1" 

Georga wrote:
>>i think what has given crafts a bad name (or amateurish reputation)
>> recently are all the kits that are out there that once completed
>>are entered into different shows as original work   the term craft is no
>>longer associated with original one of a kind work   personally id like to
>>see this change

Curiously, I noticed recently in a couple of art fairs that there is yet
another way in which artists discriminate among themselves. Fine artists
(whoever they are) tend to think that crafter sorts ought not to be allowed
in these art fests, and conversely, crafters deem artists arrogant and
discriminating. Oh the joyous ways we splinter ourselves into thousands of
tiny fragments!
In any case, there are even distinctions between crafts made by hand, crafts
purchased from factories in China (where they were made by hand), crafts in
kits, crafts shrinkwrapped in shiny boxes, and hot-dogs. The hot-dogs always
sell the best, I noticed. In an upcoming show, the crafts and arts are
divided into two separate and distinct parks, side by side. I was placed
among the artists and truly hope that nobody notices that I carefully craft
my woodblocks with loving hands.
All in jest.

On the pecan note. I got a hold of several large pecan boards and wondered
if anyone has had any experience with this wood. They are really beautiful
boards, about 20" x 26"  (50.8 x 66 cm). Is it a near hardwood as all nut
trees are? Or am I the one who is nuts? Notice all the best harder woods are
fruit trees?
Fruits and nuts to all,
Maria

PS I am serious about the pecan inquiry...

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Maria Arango, Printmaker
Las Vegas  Nevada  USA
http://www.1000woodcuts.com
Follow along!
quest1000woodcuts@hotmail.com
maria@mariarango.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><>


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From: "Cate Pfeifer" <Cate108@Earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 17:57:41 -0400
Subject: [Baren 11042] Re: crafts and pecan charset="iso-8859-1" 

> In any case, there are even distinctions between crafts made by hand,
crafts
> purchased from factories in China (where they were made by hand), crafts
in
> kits, crafts shrinkwrapped in shiny boxes, and hot-dogs. The hot-dogs
always
> sell the best, I noticed.

Serious question:
How are you using the term "hot-dog"?  Is it a tubular meat product from
Oscar Meyer?

Cate


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From: barbara patera <b.patera@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 100 16:38:52 Pacific Daylight Time
Subject: [Baren 11043] re: crafts and pecans 

Wow Maria,... Have not done shows in about 9 years now.... hadn't realized that the arts/crafts have become 
that polarized. Some people got snotty about what they did but we shared the same park. And yes, as I 
remember it, the food concessions did best.Hard to convince some people that they do not live by bread alone.

Barbara P.

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From: "Maria Arango" <maria@mariarango.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 16:51:09 -0700
Subject: [Baren 11044] Re: hot dogs charset="iso-8859-1" 

Cate asked:
 >>The hot-dogs
> >always
> > sell the best, I noticed.
>
> Serious question:
> How are you using the term "hot-dog"?  Is it a tubular meat product from
> Oscar Meyer?

Indeed! Although Farmer John's comes pretty close. In a recent fair, the
flavored almonds sold out. Hey, art and craft fair goers have to eat, ya
know?!
Is there an art and/or craft product call a "hot-dog" I am not aware of?
What an ignoramus! Forgive me 8-|
Maria

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Maria Arango, Printmaker
Las Vegas  Nevada  USA
http://www.1000woodcuts.com
Follow along!
quest1000woodcuts@hotmail.com
maria@mariarango.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><>


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From: Artsmadis@aol.com
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 2000 20:23:06 EDT
Subject: [Baren 11045] Re: crafts and pecan 

In a message dated 8/19/00 5:45:45 PM Central Daylight Time, 
maria@mariarango.com writes:

<< On the pecan note. I got a hold of several large pecan boards and wondered
 if anyone has had any experience with this wood. They are really beautiful
 boards, about 20" x 26"  (50.8 x 66 cm). Is it a near hardwood as all nut
 trees are? Or am I the one who is nuts? Notice all the best harder woods are
 fruit trees? >>

According to my tree book pecan belongs to the hickory family, the wood is 
strong, stiff, very hard and very high in shock resistance.   Principle 
commercial uses are flooring, furniture, small handles and fuel.  So if you 
get frustrated in carving and curse at it, it won't be shocked.

Darrell

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From: "john ryrie" <jryrie@one.net.au>
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 10:51:34 +1000
Subject: [Baren 11046] wintergreen oil charset="iso-8859-1" 

Kris said
Locally we have a
kitchen/gourmet cooking shop which sells wintergreen oil in a 16 oz. and a
quart bottle for $8 and $12.

How is wintergreen used in cooking?  My bottle has a child proof top (witch
I have to get my Mother to open for me) and POISON, Keep out of reach of
children written on it.

John


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From: slinder@mediaone.net
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 01:19:19 -0500
Subject: [Baren 11047] Re: wintergreen oil 

john ryrie wrote:
>
> How is wintergreen used in cooking?  My bottle has a child proof top (witch
> I have to get my Mother to open for me) and POISON, Keep out of reach of
> children written on it.

It's used in confectionery....chewing gum and candymaking.  I
can't imagine a person who would buy such large quantities for
private use in cooking.  It has such strength of flavor it takes
just a few drops! 
 
Sharen

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From: Cucamongie@aol.com
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2000 08:31:43 EDT
Subject: [Baren 11048] Gayle's carving 

Gayle, funny you consider yourself "not a good carver", coincidentally, 
before I read your post to that effect I was admiring your hat print and baby 
dragon print which I have up in my apartment and really enjoying the 
beautiful effects (motion and emotion) that you get with the way you carve.
best wishes
Sarah Hauser
Cucamongie@aol.com

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End of Baren Digest V12 #1119
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