Today's postings
- [Baren 40244] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V49 #5062 (Dec 11, 2009) (Plannedscapes # aol.com)
- [Baren 40245] Re: JJ Lankes words of wisdom...... (Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com)
- [Baren 40246] Re: JJ Lankes words of wisdom...... (Raymond Hudson)
- [Baren 40247] Re: JJ Lankes words of wisdom...... (Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com)
- [Baren 40248] Three questions concerning knives... (Mark Vosmeier)
- [Baren 40249] Re: Three questions concerning knives... (Dave Bull)
- [Baren 40250] Re: Three questions concerning knives... (Dave Bull)
- [Baren 40251] Artist John Scott's 2003 carvings foretold the coming storm | New Orleans Art and Stage News - - NOLA.com ("Ld Lawrence")
- [Baren 40252] Baren Ads & Ops Reminder to submit (Mary Kuster)
Message 1
From: Plannedscapes # aol.com
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:04:38 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40244] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V49 #5062 (Dec 11, 2009)
Send Message: To this poster
Marilynn
A woman who can design and carve and print and manage a studio and provide
leadership of suggestions and help to others can plumb. Check out where
the nearest supply line is, figure out the steps to do it, buy the materials,
borrow or buy the tools, and just do it. Even if you put big pails under
the drain and dump them outdoors somewhere under some shrubbery as grey
water, having a supply will be a big convenience. (Also, having to tote the
used water will be an incentive to conserve.) Just get the supply done
first. Find directions on-line or in books or even ask here, use PVC if you
don't want to solder, but take it on! Oh, and take pictures as you go.
Karma
A woman who can design and carve and print and manage a studio and provide
leadership of suggestions and help to others can plumb. Check out where
the nearest supply line is, figure out the steps to do it, buy the materials,
borrow or buy the tools, and just do it. Even if you put big pails under
the drain and dump them outdoors somewhere under some shrubbery as grey
water, having a supply will be a big convenience. (Also, having to tote the
used water will be an incentive to conserve.) Just get the supply done
first. Find directions on-line or in books or even ask here, use PVC if you
don't want to solder, but take it on! Oh, and take pictures as you go.
Karma
Message 2
From: Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:28:31 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40245] Re: JJ Lankes words of wisdom......
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There is a gem of a book on the Baren encyclopedia by famous printmaker JJ
Lankes......the book itself has some great instruction but since it was
done in 1932 some of the information is quite dated. What brought me to
post about it is a most excellent chapter ("After Words") near the end of
the book that describes the wonderful and simple craft of the woodblock
printmaker, the challenges against the age of machines, etc. I specially
like the paragraph were he refers to the beauty and simplicity of the
craft. You could probably reprint the same article with a few word changes
(gliclee, computer, digital art, etc) and it would still be relevant to
today's Art scene.
"The base of the woodcut is elemental and the process utterly simple. No
machinery is needed. A block of wood and the means of printing from it can
be had wherever trees grow. It may be argued that having machinery why not
utilize it, and why consider its utilization a drawback? It is a personal
notion that the machine insinuates itself between the artist and his
product to more or less extent, and that without it one can get closer to
the source of things. Again, the material of the art being so elemental is
more easily come by. The tendency of the machine age is to increase the
difficulty in getting both the raw materials of an art and the tools. The
very simplicity of the woodcut, both in the cutting and the printing make
for a directness both in approach and technique. "
in relation to the history of the craft.......
"This matter is included with the hope that the beginner will not be so
intrigued with any of it as to become a disciple. It is much better that
he learn what tools to use and how they are used, and to make woodcuts -
bad ones if none other. Make mistakes. It is better to make mistakes than
to make nothing. The beginner had much better be himself - to toot his own
whistle if it be but a penny one, rather than pound the other fellow's big
bass drum."
http://woodblock.com/encyclopedia/entries/011_04/after.html
thanks.....Julio
Lankes......the book itself has some great instruction but since it was
done in 1932 some of the information is quite dated. What brought me to
post about it is a most excellent chapter ("After Words") near the end of
the book that describes the wonderful and simple craft of the woodblock
printmaker, the challenges against the age of machines, etc. I specially
like the paragraph were he refers to the beauty and simplicity of the
craft. You could probably reprint the same article with a few word changes
(gliclee, computer, digital art, etc) and it would still be relevant to
today's Art scene.
"The base of the woodcut is elemental and the process utterly simple. No
machinery is needed. A block of wood and the means of printing from it can
be had wherever trees grow. It may be argued that having machinery why not
utilize it, and why consider its utilization a drawback? It is a personal
notion that the machine insinuates itself between the artist and his
product to more or less extent, and that without it one can get closer to
the source of things. Again, the material of the art being so elemental is
more easily come by. The tendency of the machine age is to increase the
difficulty in getting both the raw materials of an art and the tools. The
very simplicity of the woodcut, both in the cutting and the printing make
for a directness both in approach and technique. "
in relation to the history of the craft.......
"This matter is included with the hope that the beginner will not be so
intrigued with any of it as to become a disciple. It is much better that
he learn what tools to use and how they are used, and to make woodcuts -
bad ones if none other. Make mistakes. It is better to make mistakes than
to make nothing. The beginner had much better be himself - to toot his own
whistle if it be but a penny one, rather than pound the other fellow's big
bass drum."
http://woodblock.com/encyclopedia/entries/011_04/after.html
thanks.....Julio
Message 3
From: Raymond Hudson
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:34:11 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40246] Re: JJ Lankes words of wisdom......
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Julio,
What a wonderful quotation from JJ Lankes! Many thanks!
I'm back on barenforum after several week's absence. My computer
server was one of those
that bounced things or whatever; so, having been unable to figure out
how to get a hotmail
account via my Mac, I subscribed to the un-digest on my original
server and things seem to
be working. I'm glad to be back among you all, however silent I remain!
Ray
What a wonderful quotation from JJ Lankes! Many thanks!
I'm back on barenforum after several week's absence. My computer
server was one of those
that bounced things or whatever; so, having been unable to figure out
how to get a hotmail
account via my Mac, I subscribed to the un-digest on my original
server and things seem to
be working. I'm glad to be back among you all, however silent I remain!
Ray
Message 4
From: Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:44:10 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40247] Re: JJ Lankes words of wisdom......
Send Message: To this poster
No problem Ray, good to see your posts back on Baren.....
For anyone interested you can google JJ LAnkes and get a ton of images,
etc....this link on Flickr has photos of a past exhibit in Buffalo of his
works, tools and collaboration with Robert Frost.....page back and forth
and click enlarge to see all the images...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalolibrary/2157823715/
I am a big fan of that poem.....reminds me of when I am printing an
edition in winter out on my cold freezing garage while it snows
outside....
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And prints to make before I sleep,
And prints to make before I sleep.
thanks.....Julio
For anyone interested you can google JJ LAnkes and get a ton of images,
etc....this link on Flickr has photos of a past exhibit in Buffalo of his
works, tools and collaboration with Robert Frost.....page back and forth
and click enlarge to see all the images...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalolibrary/2157823715/
I am a big fan of that poem.....reminds me of when I am printing an
edition in winter out on my cold freezing garage while it snows
outside....
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And prints to make before I sleep,
And prints to make before I sleep.
thanks.....Julio
Message 5
From: Mark Vosmeier
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:06:47 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40248] Three questions concerning knives...
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To everyone or anyone,
I'm a newbie who recently received the seven tool carving set (Michi
Hamono) from the Baren Mall, and was comparing it to a 6mm hangi-toh
(Futatsu Wari) that I had purchased earlier from McClain's. They seemed
different in manufacture.
After I made my purchase, I came across an article from an early Baren
newsletter where the writer (a Barener) thought that the Michi knives
wouldn't be much good with cherry wood, and was better suited for the
softer shina woodblocks. (Eventually I'd like to work with cherry. )
Judging from a closer look at photos on the internet, I notice that the
other traditional knives from the Baren Mall (Shimizu Hamono) look more
like the Futatsu knives from McClain's, making me wonder if those two
were comparable... and/or better.
Three questions:
1. Are knives made by Michi considered to be a lower grade of knives?
2. Will I be able to reliably use these knives on cherry blocks, just as
I would the other two brand names mentioned in this email?
3. If a knife tip breaks or wears-out after a period of time, would it
be replaceable with either of the other brands?
I hope to hear a good word from anyone concerning these knives. And,
even if it gives me buyer's blues, I'd prefer only HONEST answers.
Thank you,
Mark
I'm a newbie who recently received the seven tool carving set (Michi
Hamono) from the Baren Mall, and was comparing it to a 6mm hangi-toh
(Futatsu Wari) that I had purchased earlier from McClain's. They seemed
different in manufacture.
After I made my purchase, I came across an article from an early Baren
newsletter where the writer (a Barener) thought that the Michi knives
wouldn't be much good with cherry wood, and was better suited for the
softer shina woodblocks. (Eventually I'd like to work with cherry. )
Judging from a closer look at photos on the internet, I notice that the
other traditional knives from the Baren Mall (Shimizu Hamono) look more
like the Futatsu knives from McClain's, making me wonder if those two
were comparable... and/or better.
Three questions:
1. Are knives made by Michi considered to be a lower grade of knives?
2. Will I be able to reliably use these knives on cherry blocks, just as
I would the other two brand names mentioned in this email?
3. If a knife tip breaks or wears-out after a period of time, would it
be replaceable with either of the other brands?
I hope to hear a good word from anyone concerning these knives. And,
even if it gives me buyer's blues, I'd prefer only HONEST answers.
Thank you,
Mark
Message 6
From: Dave Bull
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:15:26 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40249] Re: Three questions concerning knives...
Send Message: To this poster
> 1. Are knives made by Michi considered to be a lower grade of knives?
Not at all Mark; the two makers (Shimizu and Michi) are strong
competitors here in the Japanese market. Neither has a clear
'advantage' over the other.
> 2. Will I be able to reliably use these knives on cherry blocks, just
> as I would the other two brand names mentioned in this email?
Absolutely. That is what they are designed for.
> 3. If a knife tip breaks or wears-out after a period of time, would it
> be replaceable with either of the other brands?
The knife blades are all of the same general type - as they wear down
from sharpening (or accidental breakage), you pull them forward a bit,
re-sharpen, and continue carving. At some point - months or years,
depending on your usage pattern - the blade becomes too short to use,
and at that point you replace just the blade. The handle is a lifetime
tool.
Dave
Not at all Mark; the two makers (Shimizu and Michi) are strong
competitors here in the Japanese market. Neither has a clear
'advantage' over the other.
> 2. Will I be able to reliably use these knives on cherry blocks, just
> as I would the other two brand names mentioned in this email?
Absolutely. That is what they are designed for.
> 3. If a knife tip breaks or wears-out after a period of time, would it
> be replaceable with either of the other brands?
The knife blades are all of the same general type - as they wear down
from sharpening (or accidental breakage), you pull them forward a bit,
re-sharpen, and continue carving. At some point - months or years,
depending on your usage pattern - the blade becomes too short to use,
and at that point you replace just the blade. The handle is a lifetime
tool.
Dave
Message 7
From: Dave Bull
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:18:50 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40250] Re: Three questions concerning knives...
Send Message: To this poster
> the other two brand names mentioned in this email?
One other point Mark - the expression 'futatsu wari' is not a brand
name, but a description of the physical construction of the tool in
question. 'Separated into two parts' is what it means, and it simply
describes a type of tool that has a two-part handle that opens to allow
access to the blade.
Dave
One other point Mark - the expression 'futatsu wari' is not a brand
name, but a description of the physical construction of the tool in
question. 'Separated into two parts' is what it means, and it simply
describes a type of tool that has a two-part handle that opens to allow
access to the blade.
Dave
Message 8
From: "Ld Lawrence"
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:02:04 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40251] Artist John Scott's 2003 carvings foretold the coming storm | New Orleans Art and Stage News - - NOLA.com
Send Message: To this poster
Hi there. I thought some of our Baren members might be interested in this article.
http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2009/12/post_8.html
Best,
Ld
http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2009/12/post_8.html
Best,
Ld
Message 9
From: Mary Kuster
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:30:56 GMT
Subject: [Baren 40252] Baren Ads & Ops Reminder to submit
Send Message: To this poster
I will be posting the December "Ads and Ops" Newsletter/Digest on the
15th. I'll need your /ad or op/ by the 13th, please.
Submit ads to ads@barenforum.org
Your ads coordinator,
Mary Kuster
ads@barenforum.org
mkuster@kusterart.com