Baren Digest              Monday, 2 December 2002      Volume 21 : Number 2047


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From: Charles Morgan <cmorgan#uvic.ca>
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 08:34:46 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20015] Re: Screw Type Binding Press 

Thea,

I have used an antique screw type book binding press. It works fine for 
lino block. I have not used it much for wood block. Of course it works 
better if the block is absolutely dead flat. I put block on bottom, 
followed by paper, followed by a couple of layers of felt. I put a piece of 
(very flexible) plastic table cloth material over the felt to keep moisture 
from the dampened paper from getting on the plate of the press. I use a 
piece of thin hardboard on the very bottom and stack everything on that ... 
then slide the sandwich into the press and screw it down.

I have also use the book press to do some nature printing, but it is 
usually easier to just do that by hand burnishing.

Of course you could invert my arrangement and put plastic on bottom, then 
felt, then paper, then block ... that might make registration easier. But I 
use a registration board to get the block correctly positioned on the paper 
anyway. However, my way is just habit ... there is no compelling reason I 
know of to do it the way I do.

But since I got an etching press, it is easier just to use that.

Cheers ...... Charles



At 07:30 PM 11/30/02 -0800, you wrote:

>Has anyone used a "book press" or antique screw press for printing their
>blocks?
>what was your experience?



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From: "marilynn smih" <marilynnsmih#hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 09:43:05 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20016] Re: Baren Digest V21 #2046 

Barbara is right she should have her prints.  It has been over a week, 
almost 2 weeks and everyone else is happy.  I did not keep extras because I 
knew we were leaving in January.  Lets wait a bit longer and than hey 
everyone, there were extras and no one should have to live without their 
prints.  I should have kept back one set just in case, darn!  I am hoping it 
is just held up or that maybe I misaddressed it and it will come back here 
or some other thing that will get these prints to Barbara.  Oh I feel bad 
for her and I remember mailing that package. Her print was wonderful, so 
please hold on to one for her.
Marilynn


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From: "Lee and Barbara Mason" <lbmason71#attbi.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 09:55:23 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20017] book press for printing 

> Has anyone used a "book press" or antique screw press for printing their
> blocks?
> what was your experience?
> Happy Holidays,
> Thea


Thea,
I have used one and it worked..I was using oil based ink. I placed a piece
of mat board and piece of wood over the top of the plate., then I slid it
into the press..others might have done it differently. You could also print
upside down and that would work, just put a piece of mat board under the
paper...easier to position the block on the paper if just one color. You
want a firm surface to print from, so no blankets like intaglio or litho, as
these would push the paper down into the cut surfaces. If you are using
water based ink, it might dry too fast to do this unless you are using Akua
Kolor inks, they dry very slowly on the block.

The only problem I see with a press like this is if you are not careful you
could compress your block pretty easily. Wood is not that strong, the press
I used had metal platens. A press with wood platens would certainly be
safer. Let us know how it turns out!
Best to you,
Barbara



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From: "Lee and Barbara Mason" <lbmason71#attbi.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 10:04:54 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20018] carving and whining 

Well, I am whining again. This carving is so hard! I know, Maria says get a
grip. Well, what I actually got was a lighted magnifiny glass to see the
work under. Before I carved horribly, now I just carve sort of horribly. At
least I can see what I am doing.

Guess this just takes time to learn well, those lino blocks spoiled me! But
I have the key block for #15 done and am on the first color block....sort of
laughable, trying to teach this process when I am so bad at it. I look at
Dave's work and just feel so frustrated. Think I am going to work with large
geometric shapes from now on. Those inside and outside round cuts are just
murder!

And yes, my tools are sharp....it is my skill that is lacking! However, I am
determined!

So far being a grandmother has been easy, only one trip to the mall for
diapers...not bad. I think I can do this....as it has involved absolutely no
work or missed sleep on my part!

I am going back to carving the blocks......I want to try harder wood, this
shina plywood is just way too soft, it pops off so easily with anything even
close to a narrow line. I am on the lookout for some cherry......

Who has used maple and is it harder or softer than cherry? How do I keep the
bocks from warping without all that effort of a piece of wood crosswise on
the end? Can I use a metal piece on the end? My sons are good with metal,
maybe they can make me something that will work....non rusting metal, of
course.
Best to all,
Barbara



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From: Mike Lyon <mikelyon#mlyon.com>
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 12:45:03 -0600
Subject: [Baren 20019] Re: carving and whining 

At 10:04 AM 12/1/2002 -0800, you wrote:

>How do I keep the
>bocks from warping without all that effort of a piece of wood crosswise on
>the end? Can I use a metal piece on the end?


Well, you 'could' screw the warping board to a piece of heavier plywood -- 
I've done that several times and it works very well, except that you can't 
carve both sides...  I use two screws, one in each end of the center of the 
plank, well counter-sunk.  When the wood gets wet, it will expand on the 
wet (top) side, but it can't rise because of the screws holding it down, 
and can still expand as it needs to since the sides are free.

- -- Mike

Mike Lyon
mailto:mikelyon#mlyon.com
http://www.mlyon.com  

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From: JennWint#aol.com
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 16:34:52 EST
Subject: [Baren 20020] Posting 

Hi Maria and everyone,

I think I missed the newsletter describing marketing and your (Maria's) 
business experiences.  I guess I'll just have to wait for the archives unless 
someone out there still has that newsletter in their email or saved 
somewhere.  I would really appreciate reading what you/she wrote!  

Thanks,
Jenn

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From: "Cynthia S. Bendix" <contact-print#juno.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 16:24:42 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20021] Re: Posting 

Hi Jenn,
I just forwarded a copy of Maria's Marketing "Newsletter".
I hope it arrives ok.
Thea

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From: "Cynthia S. Bendix" <contact-print#juno.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 16:34:35 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20022] Re: Paul Binnie Print 

Hi Charles and Lee & Barb,

Thanks to all who responded to my query about screw type presses. I
haven't found one yet(although their is one on E-bay, but the shipping is
expensive), but if I find one locally and can afford it, I'll try it.
I went to the Audubon Wildlife Art Show today in Portland Oregon. I met a
Printmaker named
Debby Neely. She had some beautiful woodblock prints, mostly of geese,
heron and various birds(and some mammals). She uses a baren to print and
I was surprised because her ink coverage on the paper is so even and very
black. I thought she was using a press. Anyway she is teaching a weeks
worth of printing (block, intaglio and lithography) at Menucha retreat
center is the Beautiful Columbia Gorge. Menucha is a very inspiring place
to make art. If anyone is interested,
I'll pass on more info. It will be in the summer.

Thea

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From: Charles Morgan <cmorgan#uvic.ca>
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 17:10:09 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20023] Re: Paul Binnie Print 

Please do post the information when it is available. I am always interested 
in courses, and I am sure others are as well.

Cheers ..... Charles

At 04:34 PM 12/1/02 -0800, you wrote:

>Hi Charles and Lee & Barb,
>
>Thanks to all who responded to my query about screw type presses. I
>haven't found one yet(although their is one on E-bay, but the shipping is
>expensive), but if I find one locally and can afford it, I'll try it.
>I went to the Audubon Wildlife Art Show today in Portland Oregon. I met a
>Printmaker named
>Debby Neely. She had some beautiful woodblock prints, mostly of geese,
>heron and various birds(and some mammals). She uses a baren to print and
>I was surprised because her ink coverage on the paper is so even and very
>black. I thought she was using a press. Anyway she is teaching a weeks
>worth of printing (block, intaglio and lithography) at Menucha retreat
>center is the Beautiful Columbia Gorge. Menucha is a very inspiring place
>to make art. If anyone is interested,
>I'll pass on more info. It will be in the summer.
>
>Thea



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From: Milky Scarabs <milkyscarabs#earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 19:27:50 -0700
Subject: [Baren 20024] wearable expressions show 

i'm in the l.a. area, december 6-8 this week.

the "wearable expressions" exhibition opening is 6-10pm on friday, 
december 6th, 2002, at the following address:

*Palos Verdes Art Center*
5504 W. Crestridge Rd. (at Crenshaw Blvd.)
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Telephone: 310.541.2479
Fax: 310.541.9520
pvartcenter#palosverdes.com
http://www.pvartcenter.org/

dec. 6
awards: 6-7pm, in the norris gallery.
reception: 7-10pm. ceramic sale in the ceramic studio, print sale in the 
print room.
gallery hours: daily 1-4pm.
the "wearable expressions" show runs until january 5, 2003.

- -- 
love <3 & lint * !
kat pukas
http://home.earthlink.net/~milkyscarabs



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End of Baren Digest V21 #2047
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