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

Baren Digest              Wednesday, 3 March 1999      Volume 06 : Number 470

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From: "Jean D Parus" <ltz797@dreamscape.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 08:41:30 -0500
Subject: [Baren 3330] Re: wood prep 

Jack ... Hi! Thanks for the info on the Japanese planes .... very
interesting ... now you've got me thinking that I would like to try a plane
that pulls instead of pushes .... it seems like there would be more control.
Do you know of any sources?

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 22:54:41 +0900
Subject: [Baren 3331] Re: St. James 

John Amoss wrote:

> Eventhough it sounds like an ordeal, I would be happy to volunteer and try
> to fill James's shoes as coordinator for [Baren] Exchange 2000- unless
> someone wants to fight me for the position...

... and he labelled his posting (St. James)

John, you're a week early!  Do you remember that posting from last year?
In [Baren 636] we talked about the patron saint of printers ... St. John
of God.  It turned out that his 'day' is March 8th ...

But as his motto was:
"Labor without stopping.  Do all the good works you can while you still
have the time."

... it seems that your offer to handle the leg-work for the next print
exchange is right in keeping with your 'saintly' status!

And if I can pull rank a bit and speak from my position as the fearless
leader of this group, I would very much like to accept your offer, and
suggest that anyone who wants to fight for the position, get in line for
next time.

The work you have done for me on the Encyclopedia and the One-Point
lessons has been done quickly, efficiently, and effectively.  I have no
doubt that you would handle the exchange in a similar way.  Thank you!

***

In other matters, John also wrote:
>I was wondering if anyone uses scrapers to give their blocks a nice finish?

It's interesting that you bring this up.  Back when I was fooling around
building classic guitars, scrapers were the major tool for getting the
soundboard shaved down to the final smoothness.  

When I was wrestling with getting the block planed for my first surimono
print (the exchange print) I remembered those tools, and wished that I
still had them.  It looks like I'm going to be doing a lot more plane
work from now on, and I'm definitely going to look into using scrapers
for the final step.

I remember talking to Shimano-san about them some years ago, but he had
never heard of such a thing, and when I tried to describe how a simple
little rectangle of steel could actually work as a plane, he didn't
really seem to believe me ...

But they _do_ work!

***

Gayle wrote (re brushes)
> It still feels pretty stiff, but I believe it is the brush itself
> that is extremely stiff and that this is as good as it gets.

The brush _should_ feel stiff - overall.  It's just the tips of the
hairs that should feel soft to the touch.  It's an interesting feeling,
stiffness with a soft and sensitive tip ...    

(Blush!)

Dave

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 09:31:10 -0500
Subject: [Baren 3332] Re: Contraption 

Graham wrote:
>I am wondering if we were a little late off the mark as many people
>(including some on the baren) had made plans for summer workshops.  I 

Perhaps we should get everyone excited about the workshop by letting them
know I will be there.  I am reluctant to announce it however, because of the
flood of applications that will come in for just eight slots but what the
heck....to bring joy into their lives is my reason t oesixt.  :-))

Cheers
Ray

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 10:43:08 -0500
Subject: [Baren 3333] Re: Update ...  

>wow.  now i feel really bad about my skill level in woodcuts.  someday,
>maybe i can aspire to all of your heights.  very beautiful work.

Join the crowd.  All of us "newbies" are learning every day about
woodblocks.  If you look at my two woodcuts, the very first I tried to do, I
have a long way to go.  You may want to read the Newbie Journal in the
Encly. to understand that all of us are going through trials and
tribulations learning woodblock.

I will never be able to do a woodcut like Dave or Graham.  To tell the
truth, I do not want to.  They are into the traditional style.  I am into a
bolder, more modern style.  My woodblock heros, besides Dave and Graham of
course, are Mitsuaki Sora (whose work  I based my exchange print after) and
Maki Haku (from whom I took my ideas for the newbie journal).

What I am trying to say is, woodblock spans a wide area of styles, use of
tools, etc.  There is something for everyone.  What makes this so great is,
and you will see this in the exchange, there is no "right" way of doing a
woodblock.  Thus, it is open to everyone to experiment and learn from.

My advice is to do what I did.  Just jump in.  As Dave told us in the very
early days of Baren, even his first woodblocks were nothing to shout about
and he did not have the tools he uses today.  But he wanted to do a
woodblock and by George, he did it.  Take a gouge, a pocket knife or a razor
blade - find a piece of plywood, a branch from a tree - select some ink, any
ink from a tube, buy some cheap funky paper - and go to it.  Make some cuts,
spread some ink and rub hard.  Viola - a woodblock print.  And from that
first experience, you will grow.

Good luck

Ray

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From: "Bea Gold" <bnjgold@ix.netcom.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 08:00:53 -0800
Subject: [Baren 3334] Re: Baren Digest V6 #461 

Hi April, this is Bea Gold

I have been a member of the Baren forum for a couple of months and have been
particularly impressed with both your work and your knowledge.  I have been
trying to switch from oil to water (to save the keyblock for my grandson who hates
when I mess it up with oil).  I would like a hands on experience to sort out all
the differences, and there are a lot!  I saw that you do teach so was wondering if a NYC 
trip could be combined with taking a class from you?  I have been doing watercolors
under the keyblock so that each one is unique and am now trying palate knife first,
like my paintings.  I love color even though some of my favorite critics have said
that the color doesn't add to the  black and white prints.  I haven't a web page yet
but could show you some of my work as an attachment on your own e-mail address if 
you like.

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 08:41:24 -0800
Subject: [Baren 3335] Go for it approach. 

>What I am trying to say is, woodblock spans a wide area of styles, use of
>tools, etc.  There is something for everyone.  What makes this so great is,
>and you will see this in the exchange, there is no "right" way of doing a
>woodblock.  Thus, it is open to everyone to experiment and learn from.

I have expressed by direction toward this sport.
The creation is greater than the method.
I have seen some wonder loose bold pieces of work that excites me.  I can't
do it as it seem to run against my nature....but I sure luv the results.

Graham

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From: Cucamongie@aol.com
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 11:58:08 EST
Subject: [Baren 3336] Re: Baren Digest V6 #461 

Bea wrote:
>I have been a member of the Baren forum for a couple of months and have been
> particularly impressed with both your work and your knowledge. 

April will be teaching a weekend workshop at Dieu Donne Papermill in NYC -
phone #212-226-0573, email address: ddpaper@cybernex.net.  The workshop is
Sat. & Sun. March 27-28.  I'll be taking her workshop - I took a workshop
previously w/April, and she's a great teacher (in addition, of course, to
being a wonderful artist and person!) - if anyone's interested, call Dieu
Donne soon - I don't know how quick the class is filling up - 
take care, all - and I look forward to seeing everyone's exchange prints
soon!!
best regards,
Sarah

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 11:02:44 -0600
Subject: [Baren 3337] Re: Kampala 

Greg, read this morning of the tragic events over by you in Kampala. I am hoping
everything is okay with you and your family and friends.....

JULIO  {:-)

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 09:04:43 -0800
Subject: [Baren 3338] Workshop 

Ray wrote....
>Perhaps we should get everyone excited about the workshop by letting them
>know I will be there.  I am reluctant to announce it however, because of the
>flood of applications that will come in for just eight slots but what the
>heck....to bring joy into their lives is my reason t oesixt.  :-))

Such good news.  You are number 3 Ray  and we have two others endeavouring
to get some personal matter organized in order to attend.

I will be posting the web page now and we are in a definite go situation
for the workshop.
If there are only three, so be it, you guys will only have to work harder
and eat more.

Oh and Ray bring your raincoat..... so far this since Nov we have had rain
of biblical proportions. The record has been broken and stands at 950 mm.
37.4 inch.

Oh happy day

Graham

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 12:28:16 -0500
Subject: [Baren 3339] Re: Workshop

>Oh and Ray bring your raincoat..... 

Plastic???

A great excuse to stay indoors and do woodblock.

Cheers

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From: agatha <agatha@uswest.net>
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 09:50:04 -0800
Subject: [Baren 3340] Re: Workshop 

we've had ninety two days of rain in a row, now, here in washington state.  my
school was cancelled today, as a matter of fact, because the rain and wind were
so strong that all the power went out at the school.  a pleasant surprise, i must
say.  where and when is the workshop, again?

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 09:48:47 +0000
Subject: [Baren 3341] Re: wood prep 

Jean D Parus wrote:
> Jack ... Hi! Thanks for the info on the Japanese planes .... very
> interesting ... now you've got me thinking that I would like to try a plane
> that pulls instead of pushes .... it seems like there would be more control.
> Do you know of any sources?

Try The Japan Woodworker in California. They are listed in the Suppliers
section of the Encyclopedia. I would also recommend the book "Japanese
Woodworking Tools : Their Tradition, Spirit and Use" by Toshio Odate. It has an
entire chapter on the use of the Japanese plane.  Also, to Dave, my experience
is limited, but it is my understanding that a Japanese plane, properly
sharpened and used, will produce a finished surface at least equal to that
produced by a scraper, therefor the scraper step would seem to be superfluous.
You've had much more experience with the surface produced with both tools, so
what's your impression?

Jack Reisland

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 09:57:52 +0000
Subject: [Baren 3342] Re: Workshop 

agatha wrote:

> we've had ninety two days of rain in a row, now, here in washington state.

Geez! Look what I'm missing since I moved!  ; -)

Jack Reisland

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From: "Jean D Parus" <ltz797@dreamscape.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 15:08:11 -0500
Subject: [Baren 3343] Re: wood prep

Jack wrote:
>Try The Japan Woodworker in California. They are listed in the Suppliers
>section of the Encyclopedia. I would also recommend the book "Japanese
>Woodworking Tools : Their Tradition, Spirit and Use" by Toshio Odate. 

Thanks Jack ... I think I'll go order that book from Amazon.com!

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 12:24:13 -0800
Subject: [Baren 3344] Re: Workshop 

Agatha wrote....
>where and when is the workshop, again?

Here are the details.

> >Date;  June 20th to 27th 1999
> >Location. Victoria BC.
> >Workshop: 6 days of Instruction  Studio open 24hrs. $480.00
> >Maxiumum  (seven) students.***** Just reduced this down from 8 *****
> >This does not include supplies.
> >1/2 day visit to public gallery to see woodblock prints by Japanese masters
> >and present day artist.
> >Accommodation: 7 nights On Site includes breakfast and lunch. $460.00
> >Dinners and transportation not included.
>
> >Total package...... $940.00 Can$
> >That's approximately $560.00 depending on the Exchange rate at time of
>registering.

If you have any further questions contact us.

Graham & Marnie

PS I have posted this on the web at
http://www.members.home.net/gscholes/

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From: Elizabeth Atwood <elizuno@midcoast.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 15:35:39 -0500
Subject: [Baren 3345] Update 

To Dave.....the slide show is a treat, thank you. Wish we had more of the
group represented. With seventy members now....I'm in awe!
I believe that woodblock is enjoying a new day in the sun.

To Jim Mundie........thanks for all your hard work with the exchange. We
are waiting breathlessly for the arrival of our box. All friends are lined
up waiting for a viewing. Perhaps David will give us a run-thru on the
way/light, etc. to present our priceless collection.

And to John Moss....you are brave to offer labor on the next exchange...and
without any deterring advice from J.Mundie. Bless you....ElizA

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From: "Ray Esposito" <brassring@brassring.org>
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 16:21:32 -0500
Subject: [Baren 3346] Re: Workshop 

>> >Workshop: 6 days of Instruction  Studio open 24hrs. $480.00
>> >Maxiumum  (seven) students.***** Just reduced this down from 8 *****
>> >This does not include supplies.

You will give us rookies a supply list at a future date offline?

>> >1/2 day visit to public gallery to see woodblock prints by Japanese masters
>> >and present day artist.
>> >Accommodation: 7 nights On Site includes breakfast and lunch. $460.00

I assume Marnie is the cook?

>> >Dinners and transportation not included.

Good seafood restaurants in the area?


As of today the exchange rate would be $615.79US.  If you think the dollar
will get weaker, sign up immediately.  If stronger, hang on.  Better yet,
just go for it.

Cheers
Ray

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End of Baren Digest V6 #470
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