[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking. Baren Digest Thursday, 2 July 1998 Volume 04 : Number 200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Gayle Wohlken Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 09:55:31 -0400 Subject: [Baren 1039] Re: Baren Digest V4 #199 Welcome, Kent. This is the place to learn it all! Gayle Wohlken ------------------------------ From: "Kessinger, Kent D" Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 09:35:26 -0500 Subject: [Baren 1040] Re: Baren Digest V4 #199 You people have probably discussed this item umpteen times, but I need some clarification about ink. Some years ago I printed a wood engraving with Bordeaux Red printers ink and sold 3 prints out of an exhibiton. The ink, of couse, faded which was not only embarrassing but irresponsible on my part. I now know that ALL printers ink except black fades. I also know there are no really lightfast inks. Black, blue, silver, brown, green, turquoise and violet are probably the safest choices. Daniel Smith ink is highly pigmented and probably is very good, but I don't believe it's lightfast. Are there ANY inks for woodblock printing that are reasonably lightfast which I can use with some confidence or must I forever print in black? I can print in color and recommend that prints be framed under UV glass, but that does not seem an acceptable alternative. Any suggestions? Kent ------------------------------ From: Ray Esposito Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 10:20:54 -0400 Subject: [Baren 1041] Re: Various ... Gary wrote: >What is it that goes on in these wheatfields? I'm in the land of twisters, >floodwaters, bar-b-que sauce, casinos in moats, and high culture! I >haven't seen any wheatfields. Gary I lived in KC for a year and loved it but moved to the quiet town of Ottawa for another couple of years. Ottawa being so close to Lawrence is where I fell in love with the Jayhawks. Even 60 miles out from KC you didn't see many wheatfields. You had to go out even further. A lot of cows though. Gad, a lot of cows. It is still running around 100 here. You know, it is funny but we are getting a LOT of publicity about the fires and the state burning up. I can't understand why. So far we have lost about 600,00 acres to the fires. But in 1996 at this same time of year we had lost almost 2.5 million acres. I think it may be that we have lost so many houses and the lost arces are in more counties but as for burnt acres, this year isn't even close. Part may also be because of the consistant heat. Since I suffer whenever it gets above 65, I will be so happy when I move to Baltimore. Cheers Ray Esposito ------------------------------ From: Sheryl Coppenger Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 11:46:14 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [Baren 1042] Re: Various ... > ... Part may also be because of the consistant heat. Since I suffer > whenever it gets above 65, I will be so happy when I move to Baltimore. Uh, Ray -- hate to break it to you but it *does* get significantly hotter than 65 degrees in Baltimore. I'm in DC, which is about an hour away, and here it's been over 90 degrees by 10am here lately. Bal'mer may be a little cooler by being closer to the water, but I doubt it will be significantly so. ObPrint: I received my first piece of lemonwood from Graphic Chemicals, haven't tried cutting it yet. Has an interesting smell, seems to be waxed or varnished on one side. Anybody have any experience with this stuff? I probably won't get around to playing with it until I get back from my Mezzotint workshop in South Dakota, 3rd wk of July. Figure I'll probably try engraving it rather than carving it. Afraid I'll be precious with it -- this stuff seems to cost as much per ounce as the silver I used in my jewelrymaking class. No exaggeration. And speaking of weather and printmaking, I wonder what the weather is like in SE SD in mid-July. I'm having to stay in the dorms there because someone won a contest and Disney is bringing a huge parade to town that week. They've taken all the hotel rooms and I'm told that the dorms may or may not be air conditioned. Sheryl Coppenger ------------------------------ From: jimandkatemundie@juno.com (James G Mundie) Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 12:43:28 -0400 Subject: [Baren 1043] the prized post, bad jokes, sharpening stones Dave wrote: >Actually Jim, I'm sorry to have to tell you ... you _weren't_ the >thousandth. You see, this is the wonderful world of digital >computers, and the very first posting was [Baren 0] ... Okay, so I'm honored to have been the _thousand and first_. c[:-) (I'm wearing a hat, you see.) Digital, ay? Next thing you'll want me to start using the metric system! ["All wise children should look askance at anything that comes from France..."] *** Ray wrote: >I am almost out of the top ten. I have got to get busy hitting that >repeat button a couple hundred times. 8-)>>>> Maybe we should team up. *** 'Welcome to all the printmakers who have lately been crawling out of the woodwork...' ick, that was terrible. I apologize. Graham must be rubbing off on me. *** On a serious and actually printing related note: Anyone know where one can find sharpening stones with the curved channel carved into them? I used one a few years back that worked like a dream sharpening U-gouges; but I have been unable to locate one for myself. Suggestions? Mise le meas, James Mundie, Philadelphia USA ------------------------------ From: Graham Scholes Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 10:07:12 -0700 Subject: [Baren 1044] Just thingies and stuff Gary wrote..... > The light repartee needs polish, however. Graham and Ray, put on your >smiley masks and draw your swords! En Garde! (Well, let's just say these >gentlement draw their swords with a pencil.) I have been sort of busy for the last 6 days. Working with wood in a different way. Construction. kind of stuff. I have just read the last two days of blah blah and notice you guys picking on my friend Ray...eh. Well as the only Canadian on this thingy I have to stick up for us Little guys. Rays jokes are 'bing on' and without them this server would be one short of dull. So I say lets encourage him, because after all he is incorrigible. *** > Or, as Graham's by-line would have it, an old artist doesn't retire, he >just "draws" his pension. I WISH...... *** Gayle wrote.... An apology.....which I was totally surpised when Ray referred to sarcasm...because for the life of me I could not figure out what was sarcastic. *** > Little Graham standing below a giant. I would have hope that it was written 'Little Graham outstanding in his field'....you know, like the farmer. *** Ray wrote.... >What do you mean "watch out for Ray and Graham jokes"? I NEVER tell jokes. Hallo everybody, watch out for Ray's. *** >As to Mr. Scholes, there is a ........... You got the (Mr. Scholes) RIGHT Ray........ However I must remind you that Mr Scholes was my fathers name....I'm Graham Well, I think that I have got myself into enough trouble for now. Graham ps I will report the development of that Flower Power thingy when I get the damn porch finished. ------------------------------ From: Ray Esposito Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 12:20:58 -0400 Subject: [Baren 1045] Re: Various ... Sheryl wrote: >Uh, Ray -- hate to break it to you but it *does* get significantly hotter >than 65 degrees in Baltimore. Sheryl, The comment was tounge in cheek. I was raised in Baltimore and left as an adult so I know the area well. I considered relocating to DC where I also lived for five years (Gaithersburg) because of the printmaking opportunities. But Baltimore is where all my childhood friends are and housing is a LOT less expensive. If I am going to open the print art gallery I have always wanted, Baltimore is the best place to do it. In Orlando it routinely can get to 95 in January. That will not happen in Baltimore. What I miss are four seasons. Here we have one season......hot. Washington is significantly hotter than Bal'mer. I think it is because of all that hot air coming from both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. :-)>>> Looking forward to meeting you when I get to town. With Jim in Philly, perhaps we can all get together for a Baren mini-conference. Who knows how many members live in the Bal'mer/DC area. Cheers PS Folks, I have not forgotten about the exhibition idea. I am putting the finishing touches on it and should get it posted when I return from my week at the College of Santa Fe this month where I am going for open studio and a collagraph workshop.. Ray Esposito ------------------------------ From: Ray Esposito Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 12:26:04 -0400 Subject: [Baren 1046] Re: the prized post, bad jokes, sharpening stones James wrote: > I apologize. Graham must be rubbing off on me. Actually, that wasn't bad. With jokes THAT good, I guarantee Grham hasn't affected you.......yet. :-)>>> >Anyone know where one can find sharpening stones with the curved > channel carved into them? McClain's has an excellent one with ridges and valleys for different sizes. I love mine. Expensive but worth the price. Do you have their catalog? Cheers Ray Esposito ------------------------------ From: April Vollmer & John Yamaguchi Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 22:54:57 -0400 Subject: [Baren 1047] Re: sharpening stones James: I find the sharpening stones with grooves are never just the right size for the u-gouge I want to sharpen! I perfer a flat stone. It takes a little practice to feel out the bevel in your tool, but it is then good for any size tool. I move in a figure 8 across the entire surface of the stone. Slowly, feeling for the contact with the bevel, and rocking the tool from one side to the other. I use a synthetic ceramic Japanese "gold stone" I got through a woodworker's catalogue. Woodcraft (call 800-225-1153 for a catalogue) 210 Wood County Industrial Park P.O. Box 1686; Parkersburg WV 26102-1686 It's a very fine water stone (the Japanese use water instead of oil for lubricating stones). I use it for a minute on each tool before a cutting session, and it keeps everything razor sharp. April Vollmer ------------------------------ From: Becky or Roger Ball Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 21:57:00 -0600 Subject: [Baren 1048] Latest cut Hello all. Welcome Kent! Great to have you aboard :'). Here's a link to the pre-proof print of that dang villiage I'm working on: http://www.inquo.net/~beckorro/woodcut/vill11a.jpg Planning on trying to go with "a few" colors, reductive. Happy to be going on a much-needed vacation for now, though... - about 7 1/2" x 8 1/2" on 11" x 14" Beinfang Bristol - Speedball water-based/rice paste - Walnut comments always welcome. Thanks everyone and cheers! _roger ------------------------------ End of Baren Digest V4 #200 ***************************