Today's postings
- [Baren 39597] moku hanga, alive and well (Barbara Mason)
- [Baren 39598] inquiry ("Mindy Wilson")
- [Baren 39599] RE: inquiry ("Mindy Wilson")
- [Baren 39600] Re: My Best Ever Engraving (cjchapel # casco.net)
- [Baren 39601] Re: My Best Ever Engraving ("rsimola # netzero.net")
- [Baren 39602] Re: My Best Ever Engraving ( slinders # comcast.net)
- [Baren 39603] opportunity (Barbara Mason)
- [Baren 39604] Re: My Best Ever Engraving ("Terry Peart")
Message 1
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:29:37 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39597] moku hanga, alive and well
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This has been a hectic summer, but I want you to know that moku hanga is alive and well.....
Richard Steiner was here in Portland again this summer giving his basic workshop. There were a few who returned but many more of the 17 people in the class were taking it for the first time.
They had not carved, at least not well, and surely had not printed with water-based ink and a baren. By the end of the week they surpassed our expectations and all did amazing prints. Richard went on to Seattle to teach and then to Tieton, which is near Yakima in Washington state.
I think one of the hardest things for those starting out is to pick a simple design . . . . you don't need 8 blocks for your first print.
And of course there is the wet factor...as water runs off the table onto the floor . . . everyone starts too wet. No one wants to print 10 to get the block where it needs to be to print well. . . . and few can settle down in a classroom situation to really get into the rhythm of printing. All in all it was a great class and I loved assisting. Who would have ever thought I would be showing people how to carve.
I never thought I would learn it myself and of course I am still far far away from those who work in Japan. Still, for an amateur in Oregon I can hold my own, especially with beginners! Ha. I am sometimes amazed that I have been with the baren forum since exchange #2. A long time indeed.
There seems to be a concern that the oldest paper makers and brush makers and tool makers are fading away due to age, but even if the brushes, paper and tools are not what they used to be, I have every confidence that as printmakers we will work around that fact and keep making work. I always get excited about doing more woodblock after each class and vow to do a lot more.
I am really an etcher who uses Solarplates due to their lack of need for any chemicals. I have finally done my little brochure about how to do it. If you have a desire to learn this, you can find it an the McClains website, if it is not there now it will be soon. We printed 500 and already I am down to 300...so there is a need for this little 8 page booklet with good photos and simple info. It certainly will not replace the original book by Dan Welden, but it will get folks started. At any rate, for a Solarplate gal I sure have a huge amount of stuff for woodblock. Isn't it true that if you have the most toys you need a storage facility???
My best to all
Barbara
Richard Steiner was here in Portland again this summer giving his basic workshop. There were a few who returned but many more of the 17 people in the class were taking it for the first time.
They had not carved, at least not well, and surely had not printed with water-based ink and a baren. By the end of the week they surpassed our expectations and all did amazing prints. Richard went on to Seattle to teach and then to Tieton, which is near Yakima in Washington state.
I think one of the hardest things for those starting out is to pick a simple design . . . . you don't need 8 blocks for your first print.
And of course there is the wet factor...as water runs off the table onto the floor . . . everyone starts too wet. No one wants to print 10 to get the block where it needs to be to print well. . . . and few can settle down in a classroom situation to really get into the rhythm of printing. All in all it was a great class and I loved assisting. Who would have ever thought I would be showing people how to carve.
I never thought I would learn it myself and of course I am still far far away from those who work in Japan. Still, for an amateur in Oregon I can hold my own, especially with beginners! Ha. I am sometimes amazed that I have been with the baren forum since exchange #2. A long time indeed.
There seems to be a concern that the oldest paper makers and brush makers and tool makers are fading away due to age, but even if the brushes, paper and tools are not what they used to be, I have every confidence that as printmakers we will work around that fact and keep making work. I always get excited about doing more woodblock after each class and vow to do a lot more.
I am really an etcher who uses Solarplates due to their lack of need for any chemicals. I have finally done my little brochure about how to do it. If you have a desire to learn this, you can find it an the McClains website, if it is not there now it will be soon. We printed 500 and already I am down to 300...so there is a need for this little 8 page booklet with good photos and simple info. It certainly will not replace the original book by Dan Welden, but it will get folks started. At any rate, for a Solarplate gal I sure have a huge amount of stuff for woodblock. Isn't it true that if you have the most toys you need a storage facility???
My best to all
Barbara
Message 2
From: "Mindy Wilson"
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:36:55 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39598] inquiry
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Forgive me fellow Baren members I've not participated in so long! My online store is quite busy and it seemed something had to go. But, I crave the chance to participate in an exchange sometime soon!
I adore hand pulled prints and all of your work as individuals. But, I have forgotten the woman's name who creates tiny bug images. Can anyone help me out?
Mindy Wilson
http://www.mwilson.etsy.com Funky Art-Organic Abstracts
I adore hand pulled prints and all of your work as individuals. But, I have forgotten the woman's name who creates tiny bug images. Can anyone help me out?
Mindy Wilson
http://www.mwilson.etsy.com Funky Art-Organic Abstracts
Message 3
From: "Mindy Wilson"
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:44:56 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39599] RE: inquiry
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http://www.shimizuwoodcuts.com/bugs.php Sigh...I gave up too soon in my search. I have found her..thank you. I wanted to show some girlfriends her work because it is so fun! We have many friends having babies I just think these would make fabulous decor!
Mindy
http://www.mwilson.etsy.com Funky Art-Organic Abstracts
Mindy
http://www.mwilson.etsy.com Funky Art-Organic Abstracts
Message 4
From: cjchapel # casco.net
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:23:22 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39600] Re: My Best Ever Engraving
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Robert,
What kind of wood did you use for the engraving?
C. Chapel
What kind of wood did you use for the engraving?
C. Chapel
Message 5
From: "rsimola # netzero.net"
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:02:10 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39601] Re: My Best Ever Engraving
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>Robert,
>What kind of wood did you use for the engraving?
>C. Chapel
Rik Olson gave an English boxwood block to each member of the class to work with. In a way I think it is a bit of a shame to use such wonderful wood for practice, but it did let me know how the tools are supposed to work when they cut through the right wood. If you know of a source for boxwood or lemonwood please let me know. So far, while I have found rock maple to be fairly easy to obtain, my internet searches have come up empty for boxwood.
Robert Simola, Ph.D.
Craftsman, gardener, grape grower, Chaucer collector,
. . . and retired teacher
>What kind of wood did you use for the engraving?
>C. Chapel
Rik Olson gave an English boxwood block to each member of the class to work with. In a way I think it is a bit of a shame to use such wonderful wood for practice, but it did let me know how the tools are supposed to work when they cut through the right wood. If you know of a source for boxwood or lemonwood please let me know. So far, while I have found rock maple to be fairly easy to obtain, my internet searches have come up empty for boxwood.
Robert Simola, Ph.D.
Craftsman, gardener, grape grower, Chaucer collector,
. . . and retired teacher
Message 6
From: slinders # comcast.net
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:24:48 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39602] Re: My Best Ever Engraving
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Engraving blocks:
http://graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=1&sppp=50
http://www.imcclains.com/catalog/blocks/resingrave.html
Abigail Rohrer is using Corian (yep, the stuff from
countertops!) almost exclusively.
http://www.theloneoakpress.com/prints.htm
There is very little box available. It is a very slow growing
and fine-grained wood, and is very difficult to find. It is
used with reverence and care!
Sharen
http://graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=1&sppp=50
http://www.imcclains.com/catalog/blocks/resingrave.html
Abigail Rohrer is using Corian (yep, the stuff from
countertops!) almost exclusively.
http://www.theloneoakpress.com/prints.htm
There is very little box available. It is a very slow growing
and fine-grained wood, and is very difficult to find. It is
used with reverence and care!
Sharen
Message 7
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:22:21 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39603] opportunity
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Here is a call for artists at a gallery in New Zealand
http://www.art-in-newzealand.co.nz/artists_opportunities.html
http://www.art-in-newzealand.co.nz/artists_opportunities.html
Message 8
From: "Terry Peart"
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:43:59 GMT
Subject: [Baren 39604] Re: My Best Ever Engraving
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Robert,
Have you talked to Edensaw Woods? They are very nice people and a great
resource. They may be able to get for you or direct you to some boxwood.
Tell them Darrell Peart's wife Terry (me) recommended them.
http://www.edensaw.com/
Terry
West Seattle
>. If you know of a source for boxwood or lemonwood please let me know. So
>far, while I have found rock maple to be fairly easy to obtain, my internet
>searches have come up empty for boxwood.
Robert Simola, Ph.D.
Craftsman, gardener, grape grower, Chaucer collector,
. . . and retired teacher
Have you talked to Edensaw Woods? They are very nice people and a great
resource. They may be able to get for you or direct you to some boxwood.
Tell them Darrell Peart's wife Terry (me) recommended them.
http://www.edensaw.com/
Terry
West Seattle
>. If you know of a source for boxwood or lemonwood please let me know. So
>far, while I have found rock maple to be fairly easy to obtain, my internet
>searches have come up empty for boxwood.
Robert Simola, Ph.D.
Craftsman, gardener, grape grower, Chaucer collector,
. . . and retired teacher