Today's postings
- [Baren 29509] Re: Baren Digest (old) V33 #3293 (Sharri LaPierre)
- [Baren 29510] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V33 #3293 (Dec 11, 2005) (Lynn Starun)
- [Baren 29511] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing? (Diane Cutter)
- [Baren 29512] How did you discover woodblock printing? (Lynita Shimizu)
- [Baren 29513] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing? (Wanda Robertson)
- [Baren 29514] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing? ("Ellen Shipley")
- [Baren 29515] Re: Thoughts on 'Speed drying' waterbased inks... ("Ellen Shipley")
- [Baren 29516] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing? (Marissa)
- [Baren 29517] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing? (Bette Norcross Wappner)
- [Baren 29518] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing? (Bette Norcross Wappner)
- [Baren 29519] How did you discover woodblock printing? ("carolwagner")
- [Baren 29520] how did I come to woodblock printiing ("robert")
- [Baren 29521] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing? ("M Pereira")
- [Baren 29522] Baren Member blogs: Update Notification (Blog Manager)
Message 1
From: Sharri LaPierre
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 10:41:47 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29509] Re: Baren Digest (old) V33 #3293
Send Message: To this poster
Thanks to whoever started the thread of how people came to printmaking,
I've forgotten who that was - I did my first linoleum print in high
school - a two color print of orange slices. I have no record of it and
a very vague recollection of it at all. I was then away from
printmaking for about 20 years and took a silk screen class. It was a
semi disaster. Next came an etching workshop and I was hooked. I've
lost track of how many years I've been doing prints now, but it must be
close to 100. I became so involved with printmaking that I went back
to school in the 80's to study with John Paul Jones who was the
printmaking instructor at U of CA at Irvine. He re-introduced me to
relief via woodblock and I have been doing them off and on since.
Etching and solarplate are my favorites, still, but I do enjoy the
woodblock more every time I do it. Unfortunately, my arthritis is
making it more and more difficult to carve and print, both, but enough
medication and I can do anything! I didn't start hanga until two years
ago after the Summit even though I had taken a hanga class four years
before. I had no interest in it really until seeing what others had
done and watching David print and that was inspiration enough for me to
try it. Then I went to Boot Camp at Graham's with Richard Steiner, and
now I'm caught hook, line and sinker. Now I have trouble knowing which
to do first - woodblock or intaglio - so sometimes I put them together!
Cheers!
Sharri
I've forgotten who that was - I did my first linoleum print in high
school - a two color print of orange slices. I have no record of it and
a very vague recollection of it at all. I was then away from
printmaking for about 20 years and took a silk screen class. It was a
semi disaster. Next came an etching workshop and I was hooked. I've
lost track of how many years I've been doing prints now, but it must be
close to 100. I became so involved with printmaking that I went back
to school in the 80's to study with John Paul Jones who was the
printmaking instructor at U of CA at Irvine. He re-introduced me to
relief via woodblock and I have been doing them off and on since.
Etching and solarplate are my favorites, still, but I do enjoy the
woodblock more every time I do it. Unfortunately, my arthritis is
making it more and more difficult to carve and print, both, but enough
medication and I can do anything! I didn't start hanga until two years
ago after the Summit even though I had taken a hanga class four years
before. I had no interest in it really until seeing what others had
done and watching David print and that was inspiration enough for me to
try it. Then I went to Boot Camp at Graham's with Richard Steiner, and
now I'm caught hook, line and sinker. Now I have trouble knowing which
to do first - woodblock or intaglio - so sometimes I put them together!
Cheers!
Sharri
Message 2
From: Lynn Starun
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 10:45:13 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 29510] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V33 #3293 (Dec 11, 2005)
Send Message: To this poster
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everybody for your
wonderful help. I have a new plan of action, now. I
only cut and printed one of the hosho paper sheets
that I bought so now I'll go back and size the other
sheets and cut the rest. Unless I hear other
compelling suggestions I'll use the
alum/gelatin/water size. What I did about the
registration was to print another laser transparency
and flip it over on each block and mark the "L" on the
opposite side using tracing paper. I know I could
have used the other size but my teacher so emphasized
routine of movements I thought it might be good not to
confuse my hands! So I'm slowly feeling more in
control of the process but I can see it'll be a
looooong learning curve. I experimented with rolling
ink on the blocks to see if I could be happy with
that. I didn't like the grainy look of the color
areas. I even tried stamp pad ink with similar
results plus the ink ran out quickly. Graham in his
video varnishes the block and I'm thinking of doing
that. I was too impatient before but now that I've
run into trouble I'm ready to do whatever it takes.
I'm using the better quality shina plywood and I don't
know what role that plays in my problems.
Thanks again!!!
Lynn
wonderful help. I have a new plan of action, now. I
only cut and printed one of the hosho paper sheets
that I bought so now I'll go back and size the other
sheets and cut the rest. Unless I hear other
compelling suggestions I'll use the
alum/gelatin/water size. What I did about the
registration was to print another laser transparency
and flip it over on each block and mark the "L" on the
opposite side using tracing paper. I know I could
have used the other size but my teacher so emphasized
routine of movements I thought it might be good not to
confuse my hands! So I'm slowly feeling more in
control of the process but I can see it'll be a
looooong learning curve. I experimented with rolling
ink on the blocks to see if I could be happy with
that. I didn't like the grainy look of the color
areas. I even tried stamp pad ink with similar
results plus the ink ran out quickly. Graham in his
video varnishes the block and I'm thinking of doing
that. I was too impatient before but now that I've
run into trouble I'm ready to do whatever it takes.
I'm using the better quality shina plywood and I don't
know what role that plays in my problems.
Thanks again!!!
Lynn
Message 3
From: Diane Cutter
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 10:46:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 29511] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
This is interesting how we've all gotten into this... I'll tell my story of linocut, as I'm still a woodblock wannabe:
I made linocut Christmas cards for many years but never took it beyond 'craft' level. When I spent two years at Northern Virginia Community College, I concentrated on printmaking, taking some excellent classes from Carol Sue Lebbin (have lost track of her). I fell in love with etching, bought a small press and then we were transferred overseas to Jordan and, later, Honduras.
Getting the necessary supplies through the diplomatic pouch was somewhat problematic and concerns about the toxic nature of etching at home worried me. So I started working with linoleum. That was in the mid-80s. I've always loved the challenge of a black and white image, paring down the image to something readable.
I work equally in various mediums but I really consider myself (this year, at least) a printmaker first.
Diane
www.dianecutter.com
I made linocut Christmas cards for many years but never took it beyond 'craft' level. When I spent two years at Northern Virginia Community College, I concentrated on printmaking, taking some excellent classes from Carol Sue Lebbin (have lost track of her). I fell in love with etching, bought a small press and then we were transferred overseas to Jordan and, later, Honduras.
Getting the necessary supplies through the diplomatic pouch was somewhat problematic and concerns about the toxic nature of etching at home worried me. So I started working with linoleum. That was in the mid-80s. I've always loved the challenge of a black and white image, paring down the image to something readable.
I work equally in various mediums but I really consider myself (this year, at least) a printmaker first.
Diane
www.dianecutter.com
Message 4
From: Lynita Shimizu
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 14:19:03 -0500
Subject: [Baren 29512] How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
Sorry I haven't participated much the past several years. I'm still
here and since I'm in Exchange 27, thought I'd better make an
appearance.
In response to Marissa's question :
My first trip to Japan, way back in the 70's, was for a college
course called, "Zen Art and Buddhism". I fell in love with the
country and the tour guide and promised to return. I couldn't afford
the year abroad programs in Japan so I ended up at the Chinese Univ.
in Hong Kong. While there, I was kicked out of calligraphy class
because the prof. refused to teach a left-handed person; instead I
did an independent study in watercolors. During the year, my
paintings started to mutate into pitiful, graphic-like works that
showed an influence of all the ukiyoe books I'd been looking at in
the library (but certainly didn't work as watercolors). The idea was
planted, I graduated, got a job teaching English in Japan and went in
search of a teacher. I've been hooked ever since.
My best wishes to all in this wonderful family of printmakers.
Lynita
here and since I'm in Exchange 27, thought I'd better make an
appearance.
In response to Marissa's question :
My first trip to Japan, way back in the 70's, was for a college
course called, "Zen Art and Buddhism". I fell in love with the
country and the tour guide and promised to return. I couldn't afford
the year abroad programs in Japan so I ended up at the Chinese Univ.
in Hong Kong. While there, I was kicked out of calligraphy class
because the prof. refused to teach a left-handed person; instead I
did an independent study in watercolors. During the year, my
paintings started to mutate into pitiful, graphic-like works that
showed an influence of all the ukiyoe books I'd been looking at in
the library (but certainly didn't work as watercolors). The idea was
planted, I graduated, got a job teaching English in Japan and went in
search of a teacher. I've been hooked ever since.
My best wishes to all in this wonderful family of printmakers.
Lynita
Message 5
From: Wanda Robertson
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 11:31:22 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29513] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
Lynita,
I didn't know *this*! How wonderful to hear your story!
You all have heard the last part of my journey to the present day from
Barbara - but it began much earlier than that. I had always admired
the books on ukiyoe that were in my small town's school library & the
city library, but the explanations of how it was accomplished were so
far from any experience I had that it was not possible to learn. Then
I took painting classes at the local community college after my kids
were grown. I mentioned to one that I had always wanted to learn
print-making. She recommended that I go to Marylhurst University &
take a class with Dennis Cunningham. We used linoleum block & oil
based inks - but I was hooked. I probably spent more time in the print
studio than any other student in history. A wonderful sculptural press
made by Ray Trayle was the centerpiece there. During that time I found
Baren & got involved in the 2nd exchange. I think I joined Baren the
day after the entries had closed for the first exchange. But I've made
up for that - I've been in every exchange since then! I have the most
wonderful print collection from those exchanges!
So nice to hear all these stories!
Wanda
I didn't know *this*! How wonderful to hear your story!
You all have heard the last part of my journey to the present day from
Barbara - but it began much earlier than that. I had always admired
the books on ukiyoe that were in my small town's school library & the
city library, but the explanations of how it was accomplished were so
far from any experience I had that it was not possible to learn. Then
I took painting classes at the local community college after my kids
were grown. I mentioned to one that I had always wanted to learn
print-making. She recommended that I go to Marylhurst University &
take a class with Dennis Cunningham. We used linoleum block & oil
based inks - but I was hooked. I probably spent more time in the print
studio than any other student in history. A wonderful sculptural press
made by Ray Trayle was the centerpiece there. During that time I found
Baren & got involved in the 2nd exchange. I think I joined Baren the
day after the entries had closed for the first exchange. But I've made
up for that - I've been in every exchange since then! I have the most
wonderful print collection from those exchanges!
So nice to hear all these stories!
Wanda
Message 6
From: "Ellen Shipley"
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 12:09:43 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29514] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
I love that story! 8-] Congratulations on finding your home.
Ellen
http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com/
http://thepickledpen.blogspot.com/
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/philippaschuyler/my_photos
Ellen
http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com/
http://thepickledpen.blogspot.com/
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/philippaschuyler/my_photos
Message 7
From: "Ellen Shipley"
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 12:24:09 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29515] Re: Thoughts on 'Speed drying' waterbased inks...
Send Message: To this poster
>...I can (and do) bring blocks out with me, so I could in theory carve all my woodblocks out here, then print them up when I get home.... I might have to give that a shot! <
I've done that on a trip. It was fun and gave me something I wanted to do while my husband did the boring bits (i.e., work -- it was a business trip). It was very compact, even with tools, and I carried it all around in large zip-lok bags in a canvas tote. I just needed a surface and good light to work.
I worked on Paleo Phoenix in Missouri and Illinois, then returned to California to print it up. You can see it if you like on my pressing-issues blog below, Off The Wall, August Archive. 8-]
Good luck!
Ellen
http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com/
http://thepickledpen.blogspot.com/
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/philippaschuyler/my_photos
I've done that on a trip. It was fun and gave me something I wanted to do while my husband did the boring bits (i.e., work -- it was a business trip). It was very compact, even with tools, and I carried it all around in large zip-lok bags in a canvas tote. I just needed a surface and good light to work.
I worked on Paleo Phoenix in Missouri and Illinois, then returned to California to print it up. You can see it if you like on my pressing-issues blog below, Off The Wall, August Archive. 8-]
Good luck!
Ellen
http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com/
http://thepickledpen.blogspot.com/
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/philippaschuyler/my_photos
Message 8
From: Marissa
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 15:51:22 -0500
Subject: [Baren 29516] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
Lynita,
As a lefty myself I can totally sympathize with what you went through.
~marissa
As a lefty myself I can totally sympathize with what you went through.
~marissa
Message 9
From: Bette Norcross Wappner
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 16:41:23 -0500
Subject: [Baren 29517] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
this is fun hearing about everyone's journey to woodblock or to Baren.
as an ex-Art Director/Graphic Designer I became dissatisfied with
creating art for clients. since 11th grade i've been fascinated with
printing - i love the smell of paper and ink and the sound of printing
presses. around 2001 i started carving soft block, then tried one lino
cut, but wasn't entirely satisfied, so i did a search on the internet
and discovered Barenforum. i read all about David Bull and about
moku-hanga and knew it was just what i was looking for. i love the
history and tradition of moku-hanga. at Barenforum, for the most part
of 2002 i listened, learned, and lurked. then on my own i made my first
moku-hanga NewYears print for 2003 on a cherry plank! i was elated!
then in Februrary 2003 i took my first moku-hanga workshop up in
Columbus, Ohio taught by Takuji Hamanaka (thank you Takuji!!!). my
first exchange was for #16 in 2003. Barenforum is the best art
organization i've ever enjoyed the most. the people are great! i'm
soooooo glad i made it to the first Baren Summit #1 at Mike Lyon's
studio in 2003. meeting everyone and the event was truly life changing
for me. i feel at home here. oh, i still love the sound of printing
presses, but i love my baren-disc endlessly.
welcome to all the new-comers!
love to you all,
Bette Wappner
Kentucky
(greater Cincinnati, Ohio area)
as an ex-Art Director/Graphic Designer I became dissatisfied with
creating art for clients. since 11th grade i've been fascinated with
printing - i love the smell of paper and ink and the sound of printing
presses. around 2001 i started carving soft block, then tried one lino
cut, but wasn't entirely satisfied, so i did a search on the internet
and discovered Barenforum. i read all about David Bull and about
moku-hanga and knew it was just what i was looking for. i love the
history and tradition of moku-hanga. at Barenforum, for the most part
of 2002 i listened, learned, and lurked. then on my own i made my first
moku-hanga NewYears print for 2003 on a cherry plank! i was elated!
then in Februrary 2003 i took my first moku-hanga workshop up in
Columbus, Ohio taught by Takuji Hamanaka (thank you Takuji!!!). my
first exchange was for #16 in 2003. Barenforum is the best art
organization i've ever enjoyed the most. the people are great! i'm
soooooo glad i made it to the first Baren Summit #1 at Mike Lyon's
studio in 2003. meeting everyone and the event was truly life changing
for me. i feel at home here. oh, i still love the sound of printing
presses, but i love my baren-disc endlessly.
welcome to all the new-comers!
love to you all,
Bette Wappner
Kentucky
(greater Cincinnati, Ohio area)
Message 10
From: Bette Norcross Wappner
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 16:44:33 -0500
Subject: [Baren 29518] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
Digest contained a repeat of above message
Message 11
From: "carolwagner"
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 14:25:40 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29519] How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
Started with etching, did some lithography in the 70's, and then some years
later Walt Padget introduced me to Moku Hanga at the Community College in
Grants Pass, Oregon, where he was head of the Art Dept. He was a friend of
the McClain's and was doing a weekend workshop. My first efforts were
disastrous, and though I purchased knives, Shina, and wonderful horse hair
brushes, I did not pursue woodcut again until a friend introduced me to the
Baren Forum three years ago. Reading daily forum posts, checking out links
to member's sites, and the inspiration of David Bull, Mike, Sherry, Wanda,
Barbara, and so many other wonderful practitioners of woodcut on the Forum
rekindled my desire to work in wood.
Carol in Sacramento
Message 12
From: "robert"
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 02:49:46 +0000
Subject: [Baren 29520] how did I come to woodblock printiing
Send Message: To this poster
well, I like this thread. It is good to see everyones story! my turn I guess.
I started a little late in life for my "official" art carrier. I began college in 1997 as a graphic designer and I knew it was not for me the first month I was there, It made me sick.
To confined.
well, during that time I was taking an intro to printmaking class. We started with embossing, then monoprints, then collagraphs, then we went into etching. I fell in love here. There was something about the craft and time tables for acid that I really loved to do. I spent a lot of my time in the printmaking studio. My teacher noticed. He was also my advisor. It turned out that when we we up for final critique, everyone had 2 finished peices in each area and I had between 5 to 10 for the basic stuff and 20 etchings that I had chosen. I think I made about 35. my teacher and advisor was great, he gave me as much of the materials I wanted as long as I produced and it pretty much cinched it for me.
After that class I took.
Intaglio,
plate litho,
stone litho (another favorite)
polystyrene block printing
advanced printmaking
special problems in printmaking
Independant study (large format etching)
During this time I was also taking painting classes and sculpture and all the other crap they make you.
I was juried into the bfa program in my junior year and graduated with a sudio art degree with a printmaking focus.
after that I got various jobs and painted at night. I was allowed to use the college studio presses and printed on the weekends.
I moved to florida with my amazing girlfriend that I actually fell in love with during highschool 15 years earlier, got a job at a art supply store, made a lot of polystyrene prints and started running the store and painting a lot.
Started hating myself because of it, Switched to linocuts, saved up for a press and moved into etchings again.
I have worked a lot in linocuts and it was a natural progression to end up with wood. I love ALL printmaking. And I still try to do it all. I do each until it kills me and then I move to the next medium and rotate between each that wAy. I am now learning the woodblock printing that I have longed for for so long and am enjoying every minute of it. You all have been a wonderful, knowledgable teacher.
Thanks, Robert
http://www.robertviana.com
http://www.printmakers.info (get listed!)
I started a little late in life for my "official" art carrier. I began college in 1997 as a graphic designer and I knew it was not for me the first month I was there, It made me sick.
To confined.
well, during that time I was taking an intro to printmaking class. We started with embossing, then monoprints, then collagraphs, then we went into etching. I fell in love here. There was something about the craft and time tables for acid that I really loved to do. I spent a lot of my time in the printmaking studio. My teacher noticed. He was also my advisor. It turned out that when we we up for final critique, everyone had 2 finished peices in each area and I had between 5 to 10 for the basic stuff and 20 etchings that I had chosen. I think I made about 35. my teacher and advisor was great, he gave me as much of the materials I wanted as long as I produced and it pretty much cinched it for me.
After that class I took.
Intaglio,
plate litho,
stone litho (another favorite)
polystyrene block printing
advanced printmaking
special problems in printmaking
Independant study (large format etching)
During this time I was also taking painting classes and sculpture and all the other crap they make you.
I was juried into the bfa program in my junior year and graduated with a sudio art degree with a printmaking focus.
after that I got various jobs and painted at night. I was allowed to use the college studio presses and printed on the weekends.
I moved to florida with my amazing girlfriend that I actually fell in love with during highschool 15 years earlier, got a job at a art supply store, made a lot of polystyrene prints and started running the store and painting a lot.
Started hating myself because of it, Switched to linocuts, saved up for a press and moved into etchings again.
I have worked a lot in linocuts and it was a natural progression to end up with wood. I love ALL printmaking. And I still try to do it all. I do each until it kills me and then I move to the next medium and rotate between each that wAy. I am now learning the woodblock printing that I have longed for for so long and am enjoying every minute of it. You all have been a wonderful, knowledgable teacher.
Thanks, Robert
http://www.robertviana.com
http://www.printmakers.info (get listed!)
Message 13
From: "M Pereira"
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 02:48:50 -0200
Subject: [Baren 29521] Re: How did you discover woodblock printing?
Send Message: To this poster
later I !ll write how did i discover printmaking and baren
for now I wanna tell you all
how this conversation have been
so important to me
-I see that all artists here say the same -
thank you for being so inspiring and
for being so much envolved
with this crazy thing called artwork.
for now I wanna tell you all
how this conversation have been
so important to me
-I see that all artists here say the same -
thank you for being so inspiring and
for being so much envolved
with this crazy thing called artwork.
Message 14
From: Blog Manager
Date: 12 Dec 2005 04:55:05 -0000
Subject: [Baren 29522] Baren Member blogs: Update Notification
Send Message: To this poster
This is an automatic update message being sent to [Baren] by the forum blog software.
The following new entries were found on the listed printmaker's websites during the past 24 hours. (11 sites checked, just before midnight Eastern time)
*****************
Site Name: Woodblock Dreams
Author: Annie B
Item: Inking Small Areas
http://woodblockdreams.blogspot.com/2005/12/inking-small-areas.html
*****************
Site Name: m.Lee Prints
Author: m.Lee
Item:
Based off of a quick snapshot I made this print....
http://mleeprints.blogspot.com/2005/12/based-off-of-quick-snapshot-i-made.html
*****************
[Baren] members: if you have a printmaking blog (or a website with a published ATOM feed), and wish it to be included in this daily checklist, please write to the Baren Blog Manager at:
http://barenforum.org/contact_baren.php
The following new entries were found on the listed printmaker's websites during the past 24 hours. (11 sites checked, just before midnight Eastern time)
*****************
Site Name: Woodblock Dreams
Author: Annie B
Item: Inking Small Areas
http://woodblockdreams.blogspot.com/2005/12/inking-small-areas.html
*****************
Site Name: m.Lee Prints
Author: m.Lee
Item:
Based off of a quick snapshot I made this print....
http://mleeprints.blogspot.com/2005/12/based-off-of-quick-snapshot-i-made.html
*****************
[Baren] members: if you have a printmaking blog (or a website with a published ATOM feed), and wish it to be included in this daily checklist, please write to the Baren Blog Manager at:
http://barenforum.org/contact_baren.php