[Baren]: The mailing list / discussion forum for woodblock printmaking.

Baren Digest              Sunday, 7 February 1999      Volume 06 : Number 437

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 22:53:49 +0900
Subject: [Baren 2949] Various questions ... 

Finally getting a bit of time to catch up ...  I found a few posts in my
Inbox that were waiting for my answer ...

In [Baren 2394] Jim asked:
> It occurred to me the other day to ask whether the boxwood insert in your
> new surimono block absorbs and/or releases moisture at a different rate
> than the surrounding cherry?  If this is the case, does that pose warping
> and splitting problems?  Boxwood being a very hard wood, I'm inclined to
> guess that it would absorb moisture more slowly than the cherry, which I
> suppose would pose a registration problem if it involved color blocks...
> right?

This is a very important consideration, and I thought about it carefully
before going ahead.  

- - the cherry itself is a very hard and dense block, and there isn't
actually a lot of difference in the moisture absorption; neither of them
absorb easily.  This would be a real problem in a colour block, but
isn't such a concern in the key block, where there are no wide areas to
print.

- - as for the warping/splitting, I cut the inlay piece to match as
closely as possible the grain direction with the main block, and hope
that they will move together.  I've actually already had a chance to
test this, as that block has warped quite badly - cupping up.  This is
my own fault, as I took it to the exhibition and had it displayed next
to the prints, under the soft shoji light.  But lying there on its back
all day in that heated room meant that the top surface lost a lot of
moisture, and it warped ...  I'll have to give it a bath before printing
it again ...

***

Some time ago I mentioned that the baren skins I was getting were no
good, adding that:
>  We're going to have to depend on Chinese and Taiwan imports again this
> winter.  Not to be nationalistic about this, but the stuff they send
> isn't really suitable for printmaker's needs

In [Baren 1450] Matt asked:
>  Can you speak a bit about the difference here that you refer to, in the
> Japanese versus imported bamboo skins?

It actually wasn't any particular difference in the two types per se,
just that the local skins I was getting were a 'selected' skin - chosen
from large batches specifically for printmaking.  The foreign imports
were just randomly packed skins, so most of them were of no use.

The main problem was thickness; far and away most skins chosen at random
are too thick for covering a baren.  Using a baren wrapped with a
too-thick skin is like trying to dance in hiking boots.

As a side note to this, I visited Kaneko-san the bamboo supplier a
couple of months ago (did I post about this already?) and found that he
is now pretty much senile.  His daughter wasn't interested in dealing
with me, and that source of supply is now obviously at an end.  I got
the address of another place from Matsuzaki-san the other day, and next
time I'm in Tokyo, I'll be dropping over there to check them out.

***

In [Baren 2665] John Margeotes asked:
> Recently logged on to Baren and greatly enjoyed your prints that i viewed
> today. Would love to show some of my prints but I don't know just what to do
> to get them on-line as your four examples.  

This is perhaps a good time to remind all [Baren] members that the 'Who
is Baren' page on the web site is ready and waiting to receive your
prints.

http://www.woodblock.com/forum/who.html

If any members whose work is not represented want me to put you in
there, please just let me know, and then get your images to me somehow -
email, ftp, post office, etc.

There are only fifteen members on that page - less than a quarter of the
total [Baren] membership (which currently stands at 70, by the way).  

Let's get you in there John!

***

Dave


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From: "Jeanne N. Chase" <studiojnc@prodigy.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 09:50:53 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2950] Re: magic test 

Thanks Maria
Just called Daniel Smith for the catalog. The paper reference guide sounds
practical. Who wants to lick all the papers anyway. It is bad enough to lick
envelopes and stamps all the time!
Jeanne

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 07:49:03 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2951] Re: Greetings 

Welcome to the Baren Greg.

Watch out for the bartender....Ray he's known to spike the drinks.

Graham

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From: Jean Eger <jeaneger@LanMinds.Com>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 11:37:24 -0800
Subject: [Baren 2952] Re: Baren Digest V6 #436 

Gayle, did you get the Dave Bull video I sent to you at your mother's place?

Bea, I think you can use surgical tape--it's 3M paper tape, which you can
buy in a pharmacy--for repairing Japanese paper.

Jean Eger

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From: amoss@mindspring.com (JOHN AMOSS)
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 19:54:18 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Baren 2953] re: toshi yoshida "varieties" book 

Gregory-
Glad to hear from you and welcome to the group!

I was also able to locate a copy of "Varieties of Japanese Print, vol. 1"
by Toshi Yoshida. I understand that volume II was never printed- I would
love to know what he had planned for it...

It's an interesting book for those of you who haven't seen it- progressive
proofs showing many different techniques on a variety of paper. I only wish
that I had the accompanying book by Toshi and Rei Yuki, as the above "vol.
1" has sparse commentaries.

- -John Amoss

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 20:48:31 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2954] Re: Various questions ... 

>This is perhaps a good time to remind all [Baren] members that the 'Who
>is Baren' page on the web site is ready and waiting to receive your
>prints.

What about me, moi, I - again - again -again  :-)

Cheers
Ray

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 20:56:35 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2955] Re: Greetings  

Greg
I too want to welcome you to Baren and to remind Graham (at his age a LOT of
reminding goes on here) that there are NO bartenders on Baren.  Baren only
has a Guru and he is not I.  The ONLY bartender is on Baren After Five
(BA5).  God, sometimes its like talking to a wall.

Mr. Graham
I have noticed a number of such "jokes, funnies, jocularities", etc. from
you the past few weeks in which the male of the specie is the target.  I do
not complain at all but may we assume that you are attempting a change in
image from a male chauvinist pig to just your normal every day dirty old
man, both roles for which I might say, you are well suited?  :-)

Cheers

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 22:21:28 -0500
Subject: [Baren 2956] print exchange and others 

I was going to send this to BA5 but not all print exchange members are
there.

Rather than mail my print to Jim I decided to drive up to Philly and hand
deliver it.  Not only would it get me out of town, a needed change of pace,
but I would also get to meet Jim finally and his lovely wife Kate.  Both
were the best of hosts and I enjoyed my afternoon very much.

I will not discuss the prints I saw since that would spoil the surprise of
you opening your package.  I will make three comments.

First, you will be VERY pleased.  I was excited about the prints.  We really
have some talent in Baren.  There were some unusual approaches and unique
ideas and even those who wrote they were worried that they were too new to
woodblock need not have worried.  I only saw one print I would not want to
have in my personal collection.  :-)

Second,  I was surprised to find myself as impressed with some of the
packaging that came along with the prints.  Some of you are sooooo creative.
I am jealous.

Third, I doubt anyone understands how much work is involved in what Jim is
doing with this print exchange.  To see all of those boxes that he will have
to send back via the PO, FedEx, UPS, collating the prints, packing, etc.
This is NOT an easy task and is full of responsibility.  When I saw all the
work involved, all I could think of was, thank God it's not me.  We all owe
Jim a great debt for doing all of the work.  For my part I think he should
have a special award.  I have decided to be nice to him for 48 hours.  Then
its back to business as usual.

I don't know if we are going to do this again next year but I am already
working on my print.  :-)

As to BA5

I want to thank all of you who caught the spirit and jumped in by giving me
your city.  I think it is exciting to see what a varied group we have and it
has already generated some interesting by-play, i.e Julio and Maria and some
great stories about where people live.  Keep it up.  I will publish the
updated list by the end of next week.

Cheers
Ray

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From: "Gregory D. Valentine" <gvalen@linfield.edu>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 22:28:01 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 2957] Re: toshi yoshida "varieties" book 

  John-- Thanks for the info about the Yoshida 'Varieties'.  I think you
can find a copy of 'Print-making' at least as close as the UGA library;
they had one when I was there a decade back.  Your Farmers Market is one
of my favorite places.  I liked the nod you gave Durer on your crab print.
- --G  

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 02:11:04 -0600
Subject: [Baren 2958] Re: print exchange and others 

Speaking of print exchange...........

I have put up imprints of the first four blocks of my print entry on my
web-site. I won't put up the full print or the remaining four blocks ( not until
Dave publishes the folio) but  I think these four I put there are enough to give
you a taste of what I have been up to.......
The pics are about 54k each (sorry about that, I will resize them asap) and are
labeled in the order that the blocks were printed...the paper is just garbage
for proofing....the title of the print is "Baren 98".

my web-site is at :   
http://www.skokienet.org/skyouth/syjcrp1.html

(the html piece is needed) from there go to the PRINTS section and click on any
of the four blocks....

Comments or critiques appreciated......JULIO

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 02:21:08 -0600
Subject: [Baren 2959] Re: print exchange and others 

Oooops....I put a space after www. skokienet........
It should read:
http://www.skokienet.org/skyouth/syjcrp1.html

Sorry about that
JULIO

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End of Baren Digest V6 #437
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