Today's postings

  1. [Baren 45381] Exchange 53 (Marilynn Smith)
  2. [Baren 45382] Dragons in the mail; Western papers for moku hanga; thoughts on exchanges (Andrew Stone)
  3. [Baren 45383] sign up for exchange (Guadalupe Victorica)
  4. [Baren 45384] CityOfTheWorld Puzzle Print (richard stockham)
  5. [Baren 45385] Re: Inky Temptations ("Maria Arango Diener")
  6. [Baren 45386] Big Package (ArtfulCarol # aol.com)
  7. [Baren 45387] Two Bareners Meet (Gayle Wohlken)
  8. [Baren 45388] Baren Member blogs: Update Notification (Blog Manager)
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Message 1
From: Marilynn Smith
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:37:32 GMT
Subject: [Baren 45381] Exchange 53
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Great to see the interest. Baren is about a lot of things and the
exchanges are one of them. Newbies, have no fear, we love getting
beginners and advanced printmakers work. I know how overwhelming these
serious and talented artists can feel, but they are some of the best
people around. You have made a good choice joining Baren and will make
an even better choice doing an exchange. When you get your portfolio
of prints you will sit in awe and marvel at how different each one is
and how special they are. There are things you will learn from just
looking. And, you will have some very special prints. Some of our
older members seem not to have time for exchanges any more. They have
done so well with their art that they are simply too busy. Just think
for a minute on that one and realize you might in the years to come
possess work from some very talented, successful and well known
artists. Not that I think one should do exchanges just to own others
work. For me, exchanges are an inspiration keeping me carving and
pushing me to try new things. I always learn new things, every time I
do one. Growth is important. My block for this exchange is almost
carved, if I like it!

Bye for now,
Marilynn
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Message 2
From: Andrew Stone
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:48:38 GMT
Subject: [Baren 45382] Dragons in the mail; Western papers for moku hanga; thoughts on exchanges
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Hi all.
Some unforeseen, and partially-seen hurdles have kept me out of the studio but I'm happy to say my Dragons 2012 are in the mail.
Those hoping to see Italian stamps will be disappointed as I took advantage of an unplanned trip to Florida to ship them from the US.
They are printed on a variety of Japanese papers...Shin torinoko, Nishinouchi, Senkwa, and a dozen or so went out printed on my home-sized Japanese paper....hosokawa elfenbein. This is the thinnest paper I've printed on at 39g/m2 and ended up working out reasonably well.
I used several European papers as well
Fabriano Artistico and Magnani incisioni both worked well with a Murasaki Medium baren and though bright white were thick enough that the final embossing came out well. I switched back and forth between the Murasaki and ball-bearing barens as the papers' thicknesses changed in my stack print to print as did my strength. If I could find a Fabriano Artistico in a 90#/m2 weight I think it would have been ideal. They are a bit too white but smooth enough to print evenly with a baren. There is a beauty unmatched on the better Japanese papers but at $3.00/sheet Fabriano Artistico (In Italy anyway) Makes for an inexpensive alternative if you decide to go that route.
Rives lightweight also works pretty well.

The final print is on my blog for those who aren't participating or who haven't seen it here already.

Lastly re: exchanges. I have been an occasional participant in exchanges and recommend participating highly.
I've been sitting out the last few as some health issues, marital issues, job issues, parenting issues, nationality issues, and financial issues have elbowed their way to the table and are competing for my attention.

No matter what the size the final print, participation in an exchange is demanding and will take some time to plan, carve, proof, print, collate, and mail.
I often find, despite my best intentions, printing frantically to make deadline and often have had to accept, "well, this is good as I can get if I want to get them out on time...."

That said, participation in a Baren exchange means you have a built-in captive audience of 29 other participants who have NO choice but to accept what you send out. I have NO hopes of selling 29 copies of anything I've made so far so this allows for a rare opportunity to really push the limits of your creativity---theme/subject/color/experimentation here's your chance really push your limits/or just try something new.......after all, they can't say "No" as long as you're on time and not too big. Do some good work--or at least try; we'll all learn from the things we collectively try as long as we share with each other what works or doesn't. Lastly, Baren exchange participation has allowed me to produce work I wouldn't have if I hadn't committed....there are so many intrusions in daily life but committing to an exchange sometimes means the difference between producing work and not.

Hope to jump in the fray again soon. Engraving? Hmmm. I found a source of boxwood the week I left Florence in the basement of a frame shop.........

Andrew Stone
wwwrospobio.blogspot.com
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Message 3
From: Guadalupe Victorica
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:28:25 GMT
Subject: [Baren 45383] sign up for exchange
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Thank you
Marilynn. I will sign for the Exchange. In Mexico we say we are up to our copete
means you have water up to your forehead (that is how I am all the time with art
proyects. I also thought that the exchanges
were still full.

On the
other hand I am so greatfull to the 238 participants this year of Prints for Peace
Mxico each writing a message of peace for us and I know everybody is up to their Copete
also.

Muchas gracias
a todos, Guadalupe




Fifth International Prints for Peace 2012, Fourth
International Printmaking Collective
2012
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Message 4
From: richard stockham
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:50:51 GMT
Subject: [Baren 45384] CityOfTheWorld Puzzle Print
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Wow! The postman just delivered my copy of the "City Of The World". It is stunning. Thanks to Maria and the Print Party Crew and everyone who participated. It was quite the unbirthday present!
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Message 5
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:27:17 GMT
Subject: [Baren 45385] Re: Inky Temptations
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My incomparable, amazing, truly astounding (heh!) wood-button barens are
capable of printing engravings. They are also excellent for printing very
large prints on tough Western papers very easily.if you have the time, that
is. I mean very easily as far as pressure is concerned.

I'm still amazed at the ease of printing with a "real" Japanese baren, such
as the ones available from the Baren Mall or McClains.



I will make a couple of wood-button barens this coming week and post
pictures or maybe even a video on my blog.



Maria



[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]

www.1000woodcuts.com

www.artfestivalguide.info

[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]
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Message 6
From: ArtfulCarol # aol.com
Date: Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:58:03 GMT
Subject: [Baren 45386] Big Package
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What an oddly shaped package for my new business cards to come in------
NO! It's the Cities of the World woodblock prints, the wonderful project
come to life Thank you. thank you all.
I immediately spread them out on the floor and matched every image with
the name of the creator. So many friends I have been e-mailing with for
years and new contacts. too

And Mayor Maria and all the workers who travelled and worked to bring us
this project.
Thank you again.
Carol Lyons
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Message 7
From: Gayle Wohlken
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:07:44 GMT
Subject: [Baren 45387] Two Bareners Meet
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About a week ago one of our Bareners put up a link for the Wayzgoose Annual Book Arts Fair in Grimsby, Ontario. We live in Northeast Ohio, about a four hour's drive from Grimsby, so we thought, why not! We just got back home from a day in Canada meeting some fine people -- especially Baren's own Clive Lewis and his friend Maria, who were delightful to hang out with and hike with later when we all tackled the Escarpment trails that led to a magnificent view over the city and across Lake Ontario to Toronto.

While at the festival I got to speak with a number of woodcut engravers and see their work, as well as the work of book artists. So much beauty and skill! I especially enjoyed meeting George A. Walker -- http://george-walker.com/ -- who signed a book I bought -- a graphic novel of his dreams titled, "Images from the neocerebellum" -- http://george-walker.com/

There is something to be said for attending art fairs. The things you learn! Thank you, Clive and Maria, for the suggestion and the hospitality.

~Gayle Wohlken

Digest Appendix

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

Subject:
Posted by: Maria


City of the World 2012

Prints are mailed, should be at everyone's doorstep within a few days in the US and maybe a week or two everywhere else. Website updated soon with final pictures and final word.
I have my fingers crossed on the world shipments but have full faith in the Postal system. No tracking available once the happy prints leave this country so please let me know, either here on the blog or by email, when prints start arriving at foreign shores.

The five sheets were tough to roll up so they should snap flat in no time once unrolled. The enclosed key is but a taste of what the real colophon will be like. And speaking of which, I'm nearly done assembling the colophon and ready to send to publishers for a test book, then once I receive and approve I will make available to all.

All participants will be able to download a free copy of the electronic book/colophon for about three months. Once that period is over, I can still make a CD with the electronic book and ship to anyone that has participated.
. . .
[Long item has been trimmed at this point. The full blog entry can be viewed here]

This item is taken from the blog MCPP Puzzle Prints.
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