Today's postings

  1. [Baren 39024] Exchanges Update ("Maria Arango Diener")
  2. [Baren 39025] Re: Exchanges by Committee? ("Maria Arango Diener")
  3. [Baren 39026] RE: New Baren Digest (Text) V47 #4837 (May 28, 2009) (Le Green)
  4. [Baren 39027] Baren Member blogs: Update Notification (Blog Manager)
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Message 1
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 14:51:46 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39024] Exchanges Update
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Exchange #40 is now uploaded for your viewing pleasure:
http://www.barenforum.org/exchange/exchanges.html

Exchange #41 is well underway.
Participants should double check the list and the deadline to be sure
everyone is still on board.
Your coordinator is Joseph Taylor and the deadline is August 1st.
Keep this page handy for all the information:
http://www.barenforum.org/exchange/exchange_41/exchange_41.html

And finally, remember this Exchange Manager will hang up her boots on June
30th.
Volunteers are still needed to take up the tasks involved. So far we have
one willing candidate but it would be better if there were more to maybe
split the tasks involved. Others have expressed some interest but we need a
firm commitment.
If you want to raise your hand, please contact the Baren Council directly as
soon as possible: council@barenforum.org

Maria
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Message 2
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 19:03:12 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39025] Re: Exchanges by Committee?
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Thank you Roy for your willingness to help Baren.
The thing to do is contact the Council at council@barenforum.org

"Being" a Council member doesn't take much time except to participate in
discussions regarding "management" of the list. We really need people,
though, who are willing to discuss issues and make decisions about what to
do and that are willing to recruit from the membership to accomplish what
needs to be done.

Most of us in the Council are currently both "deciders" and "worker bees". A
couple of people have suggested that "someone" write a sort of Operating
Manual for Baren. Well, if we had time to do that, we wouldn't be asking for
help. I have written operating manuals before and it is a huge task. Baren
is run pretty much by people that don't so much need an operating manual as
one of the main "qualifications" is self-direction.

I already wrote about what tasks are performed by the Exchange Manager and
how they could be divided among two or more people.
Here are additional details to be more specific about time involvement and
the timing of the tasks:

-----
As far as what is needed, I would highly recommend that the next Exchange
Manager split the tasks and make the job easier for everyone involved. Here
is what I have on the spreadsheet as far as very specific tasks that are
required and the time line of each.
http://www.barenforum.org/exchange/ExchangeCalendar.html

The list is more daunting than the time it takes to do everything. The most
time consuming is updating the website with all the gallery pages after
every exchange, four times a year. I keep up so that they don't "stack up"
on me and it takes roughly about 6-10 hours to get everything updated once
per quarter depending on how well the coordinators follow instructions
regarding image preparation.

Aside from that, I don't spend more than an hour per week on maintenance
stuff. During signup time, just before and for a while after, the
spreadsheet(s) and web pages need to be updated; I would say maybe an
additional 2-6 hours per month spread out wide. This can escalate in terms
of daily email time if around crucial times of the exchange such as nearing
completion or when problems arise.
Again, the most time consuming is the digital imaging (invariably the
coordinators don't quite follow directions), uploading images, updating web
pages, building galleries for every exchange after completion.

The absolute most crucial task, again, is communicating diligently with the
list, the coordinator(s) and sometimes the participants directly if conflict
arises and always near the end of an exchange. Organization is a must and
falling behind schedule is a path to disaster since tasks and exchanges just
keep piling up. If everything is kept up to date, it takes less daily/weekly
time and only dedication to keep a close eye on things when there is a
sign-up going on and when exchanges are nearing completion.

As far as knowledge of the tasks involved, obviously either html or some
type of web building program are needed, enough to update and replicate the
web pages that involve the exchanges. Often limited digital imaging is
necessary and by that I mean being able to either scan or photograph prints
to get good images off the prints and formatting in the proper size and
resolution for web viewing. Everything else can be taught.
--------

I hope this helps clarify.

Maria
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Message 3
From: Le Green
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 08:02:45 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39026] RE: New Baren Digest (Text) V47 #4837 (May 28, 2009)
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2009 Hot off the Press
Call for Members & Friends Printmakers
Exhibition at StoneMetal Press Printmaking Center at the Blue Star Art
Complex, San Antonio, TX.



Join as a printmaking artist, Exhibit now and throughout the year.

2009 Hot off the Press Call for Member & Friends Printmakers Exhibition

StoneMetal Press Printmaking Center at the Blue Star Art Complex



Calendar for Hot off the Press annual Member & Friends Printmakers Exhibition:

Printmaker Annual Membership: $30 (includes print rack throughout the year.

Exhibition Fees: $15 for 2 framed works. (Work is sold throughout the show. Sold works may be replaced by the artist with another print)

• Exhibition June 19- July 31, 2009 Contemporary Art Month CAM

• San Antonio Art drop off: 1- 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, June 1 - June 8.

• Hot Off the Press Fundraiser Party June 27, 7-9pm

• Opening reception Thursday, July 2, 6 - 9 p.m.

• Friday Art Walk Friday July 3, 6-9p.m.

• Art work pick-up Saturday, August 1, 1-5pm

• Unsold art work shipped back: Monday August 3.



Each current member may submit up to two each 2-D prints: hand-pulled prints or handmade paper artworks.

Work must be framed & ready to hang with wire for hanging. (Please use archival mounting techniques.)

34”maximum size, longest edge. Maximum weight, 25 lbs.



Shipped work must be sent US mail, FedEX, UPS or DHL, in a reusable carton (No Peanuts).

A check made out to StoneMetal Press must be included for return postage.

Mark your box with your last name in 2 inch block letters.



Sales Opportunities: Submit up to 4 works for the print racks. Print
rack items must be protected in clear wrapper & backed with a stiff
backing. (Please use archival backing & hanging techniques) These
prints will be retained for not less than 90 days, up to one year. If
taking advantage of this option Email prints@stonemetalpress.com for
consignment form.

(Rack items are also accepted at any time during your membership year.)



StoneMetal Press and the gallery retain a 40% commission for members
work sold and 50% for nonmembers from the exhibition. Please price your
work with the retail price accordingly.



Email legreenart@live.com for a printable entry form.


legreenart@live.com

Digest Appendix

Postings made on [Baren] members' blogs
over the past 24 hours ...

Subject: Segment of a 'perfect' lino
Posted by: Georgina



This item is taken from the blog The Linocutter has a new adventure.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.


Subject: Printing the perfect lino
Posted by: Georgina







Yesterday I went to a place called "Under the House of Art"
David and Jacek who run this business are artist printmakers. They print editions for some very well known Australian artists such as Dennis Nona (who studied at the Queensland College of Arts) They also have the largest press in the Southern Hemisphere.
I told them that I usually have trouble getting consistent results when using the etching press ( I often get little 'judders' as the ink smudges slightly at the edge of the lino or the blacks are to 'salty'' ) I have tried many ways to sort out these problems but I could never just run off print after perfect print. So I used to use the hydraulic press.
David and Jacek very generously showed me a very simple way to get a perfect linocut print. They roll back the blanket, tape the paper to the bed of the press, flip the paper back over the blanket then place the block on the press and gently 'feed' the pape rover the block until it flops into place. Then they lay the blanket over the block and finish rolling turning the wheel until the block is all the way through the press. I took two photos after I finished to demonstrate the process as it is probably hard to understand from what I have written. (The lino is upside down in the photo because it was not mine and I did not want to display some one elses image without permission)
A word of caution, obviously you have to be very careful not to get your hands crushed doing this. One advantage the baren has over the press must be that it cannot cause terrible crushing injuries. Yes that and the fact that it does not weigh 1100 kilograms and can be moved while holding a cup of coffee in the other hand!
I was, never-the-less, very happy with the results produced by the etching press and have become quite a fan. Yes, and I 'only' have 10 prints I need to edition, so that will keep me busy for . . .
[Long item has been trimmed at this point. The full blog entry can be viewed here]

This item is taken from the blog The Linocutter has a new adventure.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.