I'm very excited to announce that Minnie Pearl is getting a best friend to live in the garage. It's a 12x18 C&P press! Rather the opposite of the 5x8 pearl no. 1 press.
This will be part of the South Bay Community Print Shop.
If you are interested in joining, or in taking a small letterpress class let me know!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Book Arts Jam Tomorrow!!
I'll be there with my Kingsley Hot Foil Stamp Machine for all your customizing needs on pencils, cards and journals.
9th Annual Regional Celebration of the Book Arts, Print Arts & Paper Arts
OCTOBER 16th, 2010
Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Foothill College 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, California.
Admission; Free
Parking; $2.
9th Annual Regional Celebration of the Book Arts, Print Arts & Paper Arts
OCTOBER 16th, 2010
Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Foothill College 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, California.
Admission; Free
Parking; $2.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Book Arts Jam 2010 this Saturday!
9th Annual Regional Celebration of the Book Arts, Print Arts & Paper Arts
OCTOBER 16th, 2010
Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Join us for Book Arts Jam 2010, an annual regional celebration of the book arts, print arts and paper arts. The event is co-sponsored by the Bay Area Book Artists and Foothill College.
The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but may change, so please return here for updates.
Foothill College 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, California.
Admission; Free
Parking; $2.
Breakfast & lunch; available at the Fresh & Natural cafeteria until 3:00 pm
WHAT IS THE BOOK ARTS JAM?
The Book Arts Jam is a one-day celebration of the book arts that takes place at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California.
Join us for a “behind-the-scenes” look at the creative processes, tools, and techniques used by book artists.
* Galleries of books (You’ll be able to open and touch many of the books on display.)
* Artist talks and slideshows (Listen, question, hear secrets, and admire fine work.)
* Book artists and craftspeople participating as exhibitors (Ask them questions about their processes and products—and buy some of their work.)
* Printers (Watch them work their presses and find out why they print this way.)
WHO PUTS ON THE JAM?
Members of Bay Area Book Artists (BABA) put on the Jam. BABA is a grassroots, volunteer-powered book arts organization. Founder Jone Small Manoogian describes BABA as “a warm and friendly, loosely-organized group of artists, who support one another in all aspects of creating books.” Members meet once a month to share information about upcoming exhibitions, demonstrate new skills, problem-solve works in progress, trade materials, and enjoy the company of others who are passionate about book arts. We also have monthly workshop sessions.
Membership is open to anyone. Visit BABA’s Web site to learn more. Please come to one of our monthly meetings and find out how you can get involved.
Foothill College is proud to help sponsor the Book Arts Jam. Our printmaking and book arts courses are taught by actively exhibiting artists and professional designers. Our graphic arts studios are energized environments for both mastering craft and producing works of cultural expression in the graphic arts. Courses are offered through the Graphic & Interactive Design Department. www.foothill.edu/print_arts
The Book Arts Jam is co-sponsored by Bay Area Book Artists and Foothill College, and funded in part by a grant from the Associated Students Foothill College (ASFC) and Arts Council Silicon Valley in partnership with the County of Santa Clara and the National Endowment for the Arts.
BABA Jam EVENTS
Start your visit at the Information Table. Breakfast & lunch will be served at the Fresh & Natural cafeteria until 3:00 pm
Area A
• Exhibitors Showcase, 10 am – 4 pm
Over 50 book artists, book arts support organizations, fine press owners, letterpress printers, printmakers, paper artists, and their products.
• Silent Auction, 10 am – 2:30 pm
Jam Fundraiser at the Bay Area Book Artists Table.
The Silent Auction will close at 2:30 p.m.
• Display Case Exhibition
Exhibition of work by Bay Area Book Artists created at their monthly Sunday Studio Sessions.
Area B
Cafe open for breakfast and lunch
Area C
• Baba Member Gallery
Browse an exhibition of books created by Baba members.
• Artist Presentations All Day Long
Come for inspiration and insider secrets. Find out what motivates collectors—and how you can be one. Hear how a book arts show is put together. Half-hour talks with time for questions.
10:10 CREATE
Judith Hoffman: Using Metal, Paper, and Pinhole Photos in Artist's Books
10:50 COLLECT
Cindy Hill: An Accidental Collector
11:30 COLLECT
Linda Stinchfield: When You Just Can't Resist
12:15 CREATE
Jody Alexander: The Odd Volumes of Ruby B.
1:00 CREATE
Karen Cutter: Fabric Books with Humorous Overtones
1:40 CREATE
Ginger Burrell: The Heaven Project
2:30 CONSTRUCT
Rae Trujillo: The Materials I Use and How I Use Them
3:15 CURATE
Nanette Wylde: Inside 'Conceptually Bound'
• Kaleidoscope Slide Show, 11 am - 4 pm
Sit down in comfortable seats and view a slide show of book works by BABA artists and Jam exhibitors. Copies of the Slide Show CD are available for purchase.
Area D
• Print Studio Open House
Visit the Foothill College Print and Book Arts Studio.
See a Letterpress Class in action and other spontaneous demonstrations.
Talk to faculty and students about Print and Book Arts classes.
See the display "Printmaking for Book Arts."
The event is free. Day use parking permits are $2.
Arts Council Silicon Valley
CONTACT US
If you have questions about the Book Arts Jam, contact us at info@bookartsjam.org.
OCTOBER 16th, 2010
Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm
Join us for Book Arts Jam 2010, an annual regional celebration of the book arts, print arts and paper arts. The event is co-sponsored by the Bay Area Book Artists and Foothill College.
The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but may change, so please return here for updates.
Foothill College 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, California.
Admission; Free
Parking; $2.
Breakfast & lunch; available at the Fresh & Natural cafeteria until 3:00 pm
WHAT IS THE BOOK ARTS JAM?
The Book Arts Jam is a one-day celebration of the book arts that takes place at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California.
Join us for a “behind-the-scenes” look at the creative processes, tools, and techniques used by book artists.
* Galleries of books (You’ll be able to open and touch many of the books on display.)
* Artist talks and slideshows (Listen, question, hear secrets, and admire fine work.)
* Book artists and craftspeople participating as exhibitors (Ask them questions about their processes and products—and buy some of their work.)
* Printers (Watch them work their presses and find out why they print this way.)
WHO PUTS ON THE JAM?
Members of Bay Area Book Artists (BABA) put on the Jam. BABA is a grassroots, volunteer-powered book arts organization. Founder Jone Small Manoogian describes BABA as “a warm and friendly, loosely-organized group of artists, who support one another in all aspects of creating books.” Members meet once a month to share information about upcoming exhibitions, demonstrate new skills, problem-solve works in progress, trade materials, and enjoy the company of others who are passionate about book arts. We also have monthly workshop sessions.
Membership is open to anyone. Visit BABA’s Web site to learn more. Please come to one of our monthly meetings and find out how you can get involved.
Foothill College is proud to help sponsor the Book Arts Jam. Our printmaking and book arts courses are taught by actively exhibiting artists and professional designers. Our graphic arts studios are energized environments for both mastering craft and producing works of cultural expression in the graphic arts. Courses are offered through the Graphic & Interactive Design Department. www.foothill.edu/print_arts
The Book Arts Jam is co-sponsored by Bay Area Book Artists and Foothill College, and funded in part by a grant from the Associated Students Foothill College (ASFC) and Arts Council Silicon Valley in partnership with the County of Santa Clara and the National Endowment for the Arts.
BABA Jam EVENTS
Start your visit at the Information Table. Breakfast & lunch will be served at the Fresh & Natural cafeteria until 3:00 pm
Area A
• Exhibitors Showcase, 10 am – 4 pm
Over 50 book artists, book arts support organizations, fine press owners, letterpress printers, printmakers, paper artists, and their products.
• Silent Auction, 10 am – 2:30 pm
Jam Fundraiser at the Bay Area Book Artists Table.
The Silent Auction will close at 2:30 p.m.
• Display Case Exhibition
Exhibition of work by Bay Area Book Artists created at their monthly Sunday Studio Sessions.
Area B
Cafe open for breakfast and lunch
Area C
• Baba Member Gallery
Browse an exhibition of books created by Baba members.
• Artist Presentations All Day Long
Come for inspiration and insider secrets. Find out what motivates collectors—and how you can be one. Hear how a book arts show is put together. Half-hour talks with time for questions.
10:10 CREATE
Judith Hoffman: Using Metal, Paper, and Pinhole Photos in Artist's Books
10:50 COLLECT
Cindy Hill: An Accidental Collector
11:30 COLLECT
Linda Stinchfield: When You Just Can't Resist
12:15 CREATE
Jody Alexander: The Odd Volumes of Ruby B.
1:00 CREATE
Karen Cutter: Fabric Books with Humorous Overtones
1:40 CREATE
Ginger Burrell: The Heaven Project
2:30 CONSTRUCT
Rae Trujillo: The Materials I Use and How I Use Them
3:15 CURATE
Nanette Wylde: Inside 'Conceptually Bound'
• Kaleidoscope Slide Show, 11 am - 4 pm
Sit down in comfortable seats and view a slide show of book works by BABA artists and Jam exhibitors. Copies of the Slide Show CD are available for purchase.
Area D
• Print Studio Open House
Visit the Foothill College Print and Book Arts Studio.
See a Letterpress Class in action and other spontaneous demonstrations.
Talk to faculty and students about Print and Book Arts classes.
See the display "Printmaking for Book Arts."
The event is free. Day use parking permits are $2.
Arts Council Silicon Valley
CONTACT US
If you have questions about the Book Arts Jam, contact us at info@bookartsjam.org.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Papermaking
Papermaking is back breaking labor!
After about a year of saving all the little tiny scraps of cotton paper I couldn't use for any thing else, I finally cut them all down into tiny pieces. Last night I put them all in water to soak overnight. Today I started blending the bits up, and it made horrible loud noises as it first chomped into them. You get a lot of pulp from rives BFK heavyweight paper. It's pretty compact I guess.
Anyway after blending a few blenders full I started making paper sheet by dipping a screen and deckle into the water and carefully lifting up and gently shaking it back and forth. After that I turned it face down on some pellon and pressed it down hard, then pulled the screen off. This is all much harder than it seems. I made about nine sheets. The wind was kicking up so leaving them to dry in the sun was impossible and I only have a little bit of pellon so unless the paper dries quickly in the sun, I'm at a standstill.
Also as I mentioned it's back breaking labor.
So my nine sheets are okay. They're not nearly as nice as other professional handmade paper. Probably due to my crappy dipping skills to make the sheet, and of course I don't have a hydraulic press to squish them completely flat. So they're kind of rough and have strong marks from the screen.
I tried rolling one through the etching press to see what happens. Nothing good! that's what happens. So it was basically like rolling a pie crust, it pushes and stretches the paper, which just pulls apart. I next tried a rolling pin which worked a bit better. It just flattened the screen texture a bit. After that I put then in blotters so they are mostly flat. Except they're not quite dry and I'm out of dry blotters. So well. It is what it is.
I'm wondering if they will be strong enough to print on!? I'm thinking letterpress is more likely than inkjet but I've heard some remarkable things that get sent through just fine.
A few weeks ago we made some Abaca and Iris paper. I think I liked that better as the rough texture goes nicely with the substance it's made of. Whereas with the cotton, I have expectations of smooth perfect sheets.
I really like the idea of being able to save all those scraps of expensive printmaking paper and recycle them into new paper. I'm just not sure it's physically practical for me.
Honestly I kind of wish I'd just done paper marbling today instead. I letterpress printed a cut of a ship I have in silver ink over some marbled paper the other day and it was very pleasing! (images to follow).
After about a year of saving all the little tiny scraps of cotton paper I couldn't use for any thing else, I finally cut them all down into tiny pieces. Last night I put them all in water to soak overnight. Today I started blending the bits up, and it made horrible loud noises as it first chomped into them. You get a lot of pulp from rives BFK heavyweight paper. It's pretty compact I guess.
Anyway after blending a few blenders full I started making paper sheet by dipping a screen and deckle into the water and carefully lifting up and gently shaking it back and forth. After that I turned it face down on some pellon and pressed it down hard, then pulled the screen off. This is all much harder than it seems. I made about nine sheets. The wind was kicking up so leaving them to dry in the sun was impossible and I only have a little bit of pellon so unless the paper dries quickly in the sun, I'm at a standstill.
Also as I mentioned it's back breaking labor.
So my nine sheets are okay. They're not nearly as nice as other professional handmade paper. Probably due to my crappy dipping skills to make the sheet, and of course I don't have a hydraulic press to squish them completely flat. So they're kind of rough and have strong marks from the screen.
I tried rolling one through the etching press to see what happens. Nothing good! that's what happens. So it was basically like rolling a pie crust, it pushes and stretches the paper, which just pulls apart. I next tried a rolling pin which worked a bit better. It just flattened the screen texture a bit. After that I put then in blotters so they are mostly flat. Except they're not quite dry and I'm out of dry blotters. So well. It is what it is.
I'm wondering if they will be strong enough to print on!? I'm thinking letterpress is more likely than inkjet but I've heard some remarkable things that get sent through just fine.
A few weeks ago we made some Abaca and Iris paper. I think I liked that better as the rough texture goes nicely with the substance it's made of. Whereas with the cotton, I have expectations of smooth perfect sheets.
I really like the idea of being able to save all those scraps of expensive printmaking paper and recycle them into new paper. I'm just not sure it's physically practical for me.
Honestly I kind of wish I'd just done paper marbling today instead. I letterpress printed a cut of a ship I have in silver ink over some marbled paper the other day and it was very pleasing! (images to follow).
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
My first print job!
Whipped up some business cards on all the scrap bits of paper I could find. It's nice bits mind you, rives bfk mostly, all 100% cotton printmaking paper. So it's a shame to let it go to waste and perfect for cards!
Notice I'm using my new font for it too!
Notice I'm using my new font for it too!
Friday, June 18, 2010
I ordered some new fonts from http://skylinetype.com
It arrived so fast I was confused when it arrived!
I got Trocadero,
Lexington,
and border no. G-46.
They all look fabulous and I can't wait to print something using them.
It arrived so fast I was confused when it arrived!
I got Trocadero,
Lexington,
and border no. G-46.
They all look fabulous and I can't wait to print something using them.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
kiss not crash
I recently joined the San Jose Printer's Guild. One of the member's initiated me into the love of my pearl. She told me my dear Minnie will not handle banging impressions into the page.
And that's fine with me! I was taught by Katherine Walkup at Mills College long before this latest popularity of letterpress began. We were very strictly taught that the ink should kiss the paper, not crash into it. Anyone can bang ink into paper, or in many cases these days it's more like bang ink through paper. The beauty is in perfectly inking a sheet and leaving only a gentle kiss of impression.
I have to say I'm one of those people that feel punched in the gut when asked to make "deep impression". You just shouldn't see the impression on the other side of the paper! So it's rather a relief to not have that option. But I have another press getting ready to move to my studio, it's a C&P 8x10 with an engine... perfect for banging in the ink.. on request.
I'm trying to come around to loving this new style of letterpress. I understand that these days having that impression is the only way most people can recognize letterpress. And hey its great to have this thing I love making a comeback.
And that's fine with me! I was taught by Katherine Walkup at Mills College long before this latest popularity of letterpress began. We were very strictly taught that the ink should kiss the paper, not crash into it. Anyone can bang ink into paper, or in many cases these days it's more like bang ink through paper. The beauty is in perfectly inking a sheet and leaving only a gentle kiss of impression.
I have to say I'm one of those people that feel punched in the gut when asked to make "deep impression". You just shouldn't see the impression on the other side of the paper! So it's rather a relief to not have that option. But I have another press getting ready to move to my studio, it's a C&P 8x10 with an engine... perfect for banging in the ink.. on request.
I'm trying to come around to loving this new style of letterpress. I understand that these days having that impression is the only way most people can recognize letterpress. And hey its great to have this thing I love making a comeback.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Letterpress as a Business
http://soundcloud.com/solsken/sets/letterpress-as-a-business
Interested in running your own letterpress business? Check out this four part audio series from a panel discussion hosted by the an Francisco Center for the Book, in which five Bay area letterpress printers discuss what it means to run a letterpress business in today's economic climate. This event was held on May 27, 2010.
Interested in running your own letterpress business? Check out this four part audio series from a panel discussion hosted by the an Francisco Center for the Book, in which five Bay area letterpress printers discuss what it means to run a letterpress business in today's economic climate. This event was held on May 27, 2010.
My Minnie Pearl Press
This is my Minnie Pearl. She's a Golding Pearl No. 1 5"x8" Press built in November 1892. She previously belonged to a gentleman from Minnesota who was a writer. She came with a couple 2/3 cabinets of type, mostly Lydian.
I plan to document the restoration of this sweet little press. She's a charmer for sure!
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