Today's postings

  1. [Baren 41172] Baren Member blogs: Update Notification (Blog Manager)
  2. [Baren 41173] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo (Louise Cass)
  3. [Baren 41174] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo (David Bull)
  4. [Baren 41175] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo and being alone (Linda Beeman)
  5. [Baren 41176] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo (David Bull)
  6. [Baren 41177] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo (Louise Cass)
  7. [Baren 41178] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo ("Maria Arango Diener")
  8. [Baren 41179] Re: Print Exchange #44 - update (Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com)
  9. [Baren 41180] Re: Print Exchange #44 - update (Diane Cutter)
  10. [Baren 41181] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo (Sharri LaPierre)
  11. [Baren 41182] Re: Print Exchange #44 - update (Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com)
  12. [Baren 41183] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo ("Ellen Shipley")
Member image

Message 2
From: Louise Cass
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 14:31:25 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41173] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo
Send Message: To this poster

Dave - What an incredibly enormous 'arts' festival this is! I'm
impressed to see that it's free for visitors (unlike the shows here in
Toronto where organizers make buckets from both exhibitors and the
'public') and I'm curious to know what they charge for booths - I get
invitations to exhibit in various venues and then learn it would cost
me about $3000 - one would have to be really sure of sales - am I being
naive re prices?
Louise
>
>
> .....crowd for them to inspect while watching ...
>
> I've got one coming up on the 15~16th of the month, a gigantic (around
> 100,000 visitors) festival of art/graphics/music/etc.etc.:
> http://www.designfesta.com/index_en.html
>
> There is a video linked on that page that shows the previous event.
> It's pretty much total chaos; the set-up instruction booklet I
> received mentions that there are 'over 8,700' people exhibiting this
> time (in 2,700 booths).
>
>
>
> Dave
>
>
Member image

Message 3
From: David Bull
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 14:41:11 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41174] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo
Send Message: To this poster

> What an incredibly enormous 'arts' festival this is! I'm impressed
> to see that it's free for visitors

It's not. A one-day pass is 800 yen (in advance) or 1,500 yen (at the
door). For a two-day pass it's 1,000 and 1,800 yen respectively.

> I'm curious to know what they charge for booths

Prices are here:
http://www.designfesta.com/application/booth/index_en.html

Considering how many bodies will pass through the place, these are
very reasonable, I think.

They actively solicit entries from overseas artists too ... perhaps
some of you should think about applying for the next one (in
November). Or maybe [Baren] itself should take a booth ...

Dave
Member image

Message 4
From: Linda Beeman
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 14:43:49 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41175] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo and being alone
Send Message: To this poster


I just did a moku hanga demo for our art guild 2 weeks ago. I used a simple 4 block print and explained it from first drawing to end print. I printed the first 2 blocks ahead of time, did the 3rd block at the demo and then had each one brush on the ink, paste, lay on the paper and lift off after they used the baren. They all told me they had no idea how much work it was and really appreciated being able to do the process and take a print home. I think it took almost 2 hours with 20 people.

BTW, I probably won't have any blog entries for a while. I think I mentioned that I received an Emerging Artist Grant to produce a series of 12 prints about our local river. I'm using this series to promote river conservation. Anyway, per my contract, I have to have all 12 prints done for an exhibit in October. They are 14 x 18 inches and 6-10 blocks each. So I am carving or printing every single day!! I don't want to show any of the prints until they are completely done so won't post them and I certainly don't have time to do anything else to show!!
So.........think of me........alone.........in the artificial light of the studio.........like a mole rat........alone..........until October.........
Member image

Message 5
From: David Bull
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 14:44:40 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41176] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo
Send Message: To this poster

> It's not. A one-day pass is 800 yen (in advance) or 1,500 yen (at
> the door). For a two-day pass it's 1,000 and 1,800 yen respectively.

Oops. I got that wrong. Should have been:
A one-day pass is 800 yen (in advance) or 1,000 yen (at the
door). For a two-day pass it's 1,500 and 1,800 yen respectively.

Dave
Member image

Message 6
From: Louise Cass
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 15:13:03 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41177] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo
Send Message: To this poster

Thanks , Dave - I thought I saw free admission but the price is
reasonable and if my conversion table for Yen to $Cdn is correct, the
exhibitors cost is absolutely minimal compared to here! Definitely
worth consideration - would anyone out there like to organize a Baren
Booth??
Louise
>
> A one-day pass is 800 yen (in advance) or 1,000 yen (at the
> door). For a two-day pass it's 1,500 and 1,800 yen respectively.
>
> Dave
>
>
>
Member image

Message 7
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 15:19:21 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41178] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo
Send Message: To this poster

Wow, I agree, this is a HUGE festival!

Prices are very reasonable according to Dave's page, of course with that
many booths and gate fee, the promoter(s) are making a killing.

Prices are here:

http://www.designfesta.com/application/booth/index_en.html



For indoor festivals it is not unusual in the US to pay $500-2000 per
10'x10' booth (standard US booth size for festivals, although indoor fests
may have half-booths).

Outdoor festivals vary considerably more depending on the promoter, but a
larger, well-attended outdoor festival with gate fees would be around the
same for vendors.

Be glad you don't sell food, food vendors pay twice or three times that and
have to make their profit one hot-dog at a time.



Most I've paid is $1500 for a double booth, 10'x20' in a 600 artist outdoor
festival, three days in a downtown area. Attendance was estimated at
300,000.

One "problem" with these HUGE festivals is that you have to somehow attract
people to stop inside your little world, in competition with 600 other
vendors that are trying to attract people into their little world. The
result is a largely "sheepish" crowd, walking the aisles over and over again
and not "seeing" ANY booth. It really is a case of sensory overload for the
masses.

But the good news is that you don't really have to have everyone stop by,
the ones who are interested in what you do will gladly leave the "river" of
gawkers and find refuge in one booth or another.



Louise, in my experience the payoff is better the bigger the festival...to a
point. In the above mentioned festival the last few years I averaged around
$7500 in three days. Even with the booth and travel costs, over $5K gross
profit, which is not bad for a 3-day weekend of sheer madness. In order to
make good money you have to have a variety of price points and be sure to
have some expensive stuff to attract the wealthy shoppers, either larger
framed works or woodblocks or whatever. Spread over the weekend 40-60 sales
is not unusual for 2-D works on paper.

Small cozy shows yield small cozy crowds and, again in my experience, the
"shopping energy" may not be there at all. There are quality smaller shows
that attract quality shoppers and art lovers and those are the ones to look
for; usually museum or art organization sponsored shows. It's really a bit
of a hit and miss game until you get to know what show works for you.



GOOD LUCK DAVE!!!



Maria



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

www.1000woodcuts.com

ww.artfestivalguide.info

[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]
Member image

Message 8
From: Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 16:02:25 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41179] Re: Print Exchange #44 - update
Send Message: To this poster

Your prints are here......thanks...Julio
Member image

Message 9
From: Diane Cutter
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 16:17:05 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41180] Re: Print Exchange #44 - update
Send Message: To this poster

Hi, Julio... not sure whose prints have arrived.


Diane

www.DianeCutter.com
www.theitinerantartist.blogspot.com
www.DCutter.etsy.com
Member image

Message 10
From: Sharri LaPierre
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 16:59:30 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41181] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo
Send Message: To this poster

Mike has really good advice for you. When I demo I get the blocks all
ready by pulling several newsprint proofs before hand and then cover
with a damp towel. If, during the day, you see the towels drying,
give them a good spritz from a spray bottle. Using familiar blocks,
four or five colors some of which are combined on the block to make
more colors, and printing the key-block last is the way to go. As for
the carving: just mention it, have the tools laid out for the ones
interested to come up and see later. The main thing is to have one
whale of a good time while you're demonstrating — its contagious and
your audience will catch it immediately and enjoy it as much as you
are. I love Lynita's suggestion, too. Maybe I'll try that next
time. ;-)

Cheers ~
Sharri
Member image

Message 11
From: Julio.Rodriguez # walgreens.com
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 17:08:58 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41182] Re: Print Exchange #44 - update
Send Message: To this poster

Sorry for the mis-directed email......print packages are arriving daily
for exchange #44......so far 13 out of 26 packages have arrived at my door
with many others already on their way.

thanks...Julio



Diane Cutter
Member image

Message 12
From: "Ellen Shipley"
Date: Tue, 04 May 2010 18:35:05 GMT
Subject: [Baren 41183] Re: Woodblock Printing Demo
Send Message: To this poster

When I do school demos, I have a small block (carved for the purpose) and lots of newsprint. The kids circulate between craft stations in groups of 8 or so. I print up samples while I'm talking and hand them around to the kids to take with them. I do historical reenactment, so I'm in medieval garb, and I show how you can use the back of a wooden spoon and even a flat rock to imprint the block. I also use a baren. ;-]

The kids are jazzed to get the prints.

Ellen Shipley

Digest Appendix

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

Subject: 50 Incredibly Inspiring Printmaking Blogs
Posted by: Ellen Shipley

Wow!  I've been featured on 50 Incredibly Inspiring Printmaking Blogs: http://www.photography-colleges.org/50-incredibly-inspiring-printmaking-blogs/

I'm in shock.  But a happy shock.

Check them out.  I'm in incredibly good company.  8-]

Emma Roberts of  Photography Colleges: http://www.photography-colleges.org/ directed me to it.  Thanx Emma. 

This item is taken from the blog Pressing-Issues.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.


Subject: Printeresting.org and Explosion Drawings

There is a post about yours truly on one of my favorite blogs: printeresting.org. Thanks a lot Jason Urban!

Here are a few drawings I did after the recent installation with all the large drawn panels. One of them (Drab Blast 1) will be available at the Give & Take event at Artspace in Raleigh, NC on 5/13/10.

Drab Blast 1

Drab Blast 1

Drab Blast 2

Drab Blast 2


[Long item has been trimmed at this point. The full blog entry can be viewed here]

This item is taken from the blog The Block.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.


Subject: And again... Top 50 Bloglist
Posted by: Amie Roman

OK, I don't know what the heck is going on here, but burnishings is on another "top 50" blog list: "50 Incredibly Inspiring Printmaking Blogs". And this list is more a collection of printmakers and printmaking resources rather than print design-related sites. Along with burnishings are a number of other great blogs that I follow:

Debra James Percival's A Printmakers Blog About Art & Printmaking
Marissa Lee Swinghammer's M Lee Fine Art
Ellen Shipley's pressing-issues
Maria Arango's 1000 Woodcuts
Michelle Turbide's Vermont Printmaker
Diane Cutter's The Itinerant Artist
Annie Bissett's Woodblock Dreams
Viza Arlington's VIZArt
Belinda del Pesco's Fine Art Blog
Justin Miller's Bound Staff Press

and, wonderfully, Printsy's Blog, too!

This item is taken from the blog Burnishings.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.


Subject: My 2nd Annual Show of New Works


This item is taken from the blog Against the grain.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.