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

Baren Digest             Saturday, 4 December 1999     Volume 09 : Number 807

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From: Josephine Severn <severn@acay.com.au>
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 12:48:38 +1100
Subject: [Baren 6966] Dragon Pages

Julio said
>I was thinking that we should create a dedicated dragon's  web page for
>displaying all the prints

Wow! Great minds..

I get the digest version of baren and had no idea this had been said,
until long after I had advised you of mine.. Cant think of any reason
why we cant have two or more pages. Whats the URL?

I posted nineteen cards today. Apparently Australia Post has just done
away with surface mail so they all went air mail and should be there in
one to two weeks. B4 Christmas he said. The stamp is a painting by a
well known Australian artist named John Coburn. Image is very typical of
his work which often has religious connotations. This one looks like a
tree of life.

I have decided to make the lino card. Am sending Margaret two batches
for her exchange as I want to exhibit all the cards when I get them. Did
I say this before? Looks like I have to go back to the studio and keep
printing for all the new sign ups. Great :-) thats means more for me.
Had a horrible thought, hope no-one has put their name down with the
intention of receiving and not sending.

John, I was going to do water dragons. May still do. Have seen so many
in my years of camping.

I think I sorted out the time out thingy now. I'm a PC person, though I
used to own a mac when they first came out.

Graham, am mailing you offlist.

LeGreen, you _must_ know David Cooper? I'm sorry I couldn't participate
this time, too short notice, perhaps next year?

Josephine

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From: Gayle Wohlken <blueman@pantek.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 09:14:45 -0500
Subject: [Baren 6967] Re: Baren Digest V9 #806

Graham's design for the horai dai would be worth the effort
for anyone to make.  I have one and love it.  This is the first
time I am able to carve and not cut myself. 

I signed up for the dragon exchange.  

Gayle

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From: amoss@mindspring.com (John Amoss)
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 10:29:03 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [Baren 6969] shrinking size

In regards to buying hosho (or any sized paper):
I have read on occasion that the sizing used on printing papers will
deteriorate over time.

Are we talking geological time, a few years, or is this a hoax perpetrated
by a wiley artist looking for a discount?

HEEYYY, Graham, can we look forward to a close-out sale soon? :~)

- -John Amoss

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From: "Rich" <darich@prodigy.net>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 09:55:10 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6971] meeting 

Hi Bea,

I will put the Feb 5/6 meeting date on my calendar and think hard about 
coming.  I'm not sure I can make it but I will try to find a way.  It 
sounds like a lot of fun.

I have my dragon on the block and half carved.  Mine turned out part 
serpent, part lizard, with wings of course.  It seems to have a bit of 
attitude and has certainly been fun to work on.  I have to decide if I 
need to add color blocks.  Can't wait to see the others.

I'm sorry to learn about McClains.  I have always had great service and 
products from them.  Maybe someone in baren will aquire the buisness?  I 
wonder what they are asking. 
Andrea

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From: Maria Arango <Maria@mariarango.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 09:59:36 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6972] Re: Carving Stop - Horai Dai

Graham, aren't you a crafty fellow! This Horai Dai will work wonders for
me also. Thanks for sharing. I also love your large work station, seems
very effective and ergonomically sound.
Extra dose of health to you,
Maria
PS Everyone that sent me a link is all linked up now

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From: Bella1yopp@aol.com
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 13:25:49 EST
Subject: [Baren 6973] Re: McClain's

Graham,
I wanted to purchase some paper from you but the cost is just too much on my
budget.  Also, I was afraid to try the really great paper and then be so
unsatisfied with the stuff I can afford!!!Sorry.  I can barely afford what my
costs are now.
- -Amanda

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From: James G Mundie <jimandkatemundie@juno.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 13:24:54 -0500
Subject: [Baren 6975] Californiyay, dragons, oiling the block, daubers

Bea wrote:

> what a nice trip - Sarah and April - escape the cold! how about it James?

Well, I would like to venture off to warmer climes come January or
February, but I think Kate and I are going to be the next best thing to
broke about that time.  By then we should be moving into our new house
and after scraping together the money for closing and movers, etc., I
think we're going to be staying put out of necessity and activity.  Our
little March trip back to Ireland will have to wait, too.

***
This whole dragon exchange seems to have really gotten everyone excited.
The funny thing was, I had been planning to make a little dragon image to
coincide with the Chinese New Year anyway.  We'll see if I can get enough
time to do one before the end of the year (doubtful!), but I'm sure to
have one or more by February.

***

Someone had mentioned using linseed oil to prime their blocks for
cutting.  Occasionally, I find it useful to rub the block down likewise
before printing.  The oil seems to "charge" the block, making it
receptive to the oil-based ink much more quickly.  The result is an image
that "fills" quickly and evenly without the need to over-ink in the early
impressions.

***
Re: daubers

A handy tool indeed that I haven't used in quite a while, but what is the
best way to store them between sessions?  In an old-style busy print
shop, I'm sure there was very little "down" time for these suckers as
they were constantly in use and had little time to dry out.  I wonder if
one might treat a large dauber like a litho roller -- scraping the excess
ink off the suede nap before and after printing to keep it soft and
supple.  Any thoughts, daub wielders?  Perhaps a shallow inking bowl
would be in order...

Mise le meas,
James Mundie
Philadelphia USA

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From: "Philip Smith" <smithart@pacifier.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 11:14:40 -0800
Subject: [none]

James,.....dauber storeage and zip-lock bags seem to be a good 
match,...Philip

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From: B Mason <bemason@concentric.net>
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 12:41:08 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6979] Image and more image

OK peope,
There are a lot of you out there and I need a little advise and a kick
start. I am switching over to doing woodblock for the next year and am
having a lot of trouble moving my images from monotype to woodblock. The
medium does sort of dictate how you handle your work. I like what
happens with the monotypes with my petroglyph images and I don't think
switching to woodblock will improve them any. I feel like I am back in
school (oh, so many years ago) and trying to decide what to draw.
Has anyone else had this problem and how have you handled it? I should
be carving up a storm, but I find myself looking at the blank block, so
to speak. Any help will be appreciated.
Direction is what we all need, but for the life of me, I seem to be
going in circles trying again and again to make woodblock do what it
won't do instead of capitalizing on it's strong points.
Thanks for any feedback.
Barbara

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From: Jack Reisland <reislandj001@hawaii.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 22:46:49 +0200
Subject: [Baren 6980] Re: McClain's

> Elaine's husband George has just retired and they want to travel. 

Do you happen to know any particulars? What $ are they looking for? What
will they be doing with the inventory if they do not find a buyer for the
whole business?

Jack

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From: Graham Scholes <gscholes@home.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 13:40:10 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6981] Re: McClain's

>I wanted to purchase some paper from you but the cost is just too much 

I can relate to this.....
Please don't think I was complaining.....just a basic observation and some
blah blah blah.

Keep working hard.  Have one or two exhibitions a year and the two will
result in success.

Graham

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From: Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 15:54:47 -0600
Subject: [Baren 6982] re: Dragon stuff & #4

Seems like just about everyone is carving away at some form of a dragon or
another..  WoW! Where do you all find the time??????

Looking at the upcoming deadlines is going to be tough finishing both the #4
exchange self-portrait print and the ever-growing number of dragon prints needed
for that other group. I am about half way done with the carving on #4 and about
to start on the dragon.........so I hope this it's okay......will anyone
mind....if I cut corners and..... combine the two blocks and
create a print of a dragon with a human head (mine!) ????? and sort of kill
two.............

Thanks, as always jkoc.........Julio

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From: Maria Arango <Maria@mariarango.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 14:10:30 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6983] Re: Images...

Barbara, my personal approach:
Let the process "speak" for itself. Do not try to adapt your images to
woodblock, simply think of an image, draw it, carve it, print it, and
voila... you will have a woodblock image. The process will modify your
image because of the carving and printing. If you attempt to adapt your
images to the process, they will look "dumbed down" as Gary suggested a
few barens back. Don't worry about what woodblock will or will not do,
it will do anything and whatever it doesn't do, it will modify in the
process of printing and you will be pleasantly surprised at its "voice."

Easiest thing you can do for a kick start, as you say, is take an image
you have already done, ANY image, without worrying about the woodblock
process. This will allow you to do two things: one, take the pressure of
thinking up for just that perfect image for the woodblock; and, two,
allow you to compare the finished image to your previous (monoprint,
drawing, whatever). Prepare for being awed at the magic of woodblock
printmaking, for the image you will get will be different and perhaps
much more interesting than the drawing or the monoprint. In my opinion,
you will find that this particular process will improve an image. When
wood, paper, and pigment meet, fantastic and beautiful things happen.
Just go for it, girl!
Health to all,
Maria

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From: "Bea Gold" <bnj50@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 15:09:52 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6984] Re: McClain's 

Graham,  I got worried about McClain's closing and started to place an order
when I read your message.  Are you still selling materials?  I was looking
at your Hanga Materials List for your workshop last summer and need some
tools and brushes you had listed. - Selling?  (Asamarunomi- 9mm - $42.25
Maru Bake - all three you have listed -3.3cmx4.3cm - $16.50, 4cmx5cm4 -
$18.50 and 5cmx9cm - $30.40 - Hanga Bake - 15mm - Canadian price you listed
as $18 - US? is this right? )  Coming to LA?  Bea

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From: Bella1yopp@aol.com
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 18:40:20 EST
Subject: [Baren 6985] quiet venting

Thank you every one for your suggestions.  I found a company online and
ordered both the mulberry and the kitakata.  I am at war with one of Tucson's
art stores.  Its a quiet war.  I have been buying paper from them from years
and I tried to get the name of a paper that I have gotten great results from
but they wont tell me the name or the company they buy it from.  I will just
take ALL of my business else where.  I went to another local art store and
they were happy to let me look through their sample books of the companies
they order from.  But alas, no luck.  But I did order some paper that looked
similar on line and I hope it will be. 
I am looking forward to good results with the suggested paper.
- -Amanda

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From: "Brad A. Schwartz" <brads@iea.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 15:58:05 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 6986] Re: Image and more image

>happens with the monotypes with my petroglyph images ...

Why not take the petroglyph idea to heart and think of the relief aspects
of a petroglyph in rock?  I think you mentioned when that you've visited
some petroglyphs in the Southwest... think back to how those looked in the
stone and translate that into the wood... yes? no?

What about developing your own symbols? Modern day petroglyphs...

Hope this is a helpful start...

BS

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From: "Philip Smith" <smithart@pacifier.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 16:11:43 -0800
Subject: [none]

Barbara,...welcome to the boat we all find ourselves in,...here's 
something you might try,..do some little drawings about 2by3" and take 
them down to a copy machine and blow them up 400%,....it gives you a 
different perspective on what you've just done,...use a marker rather 
than a pencil or go to color crayons or paint, cut some things out of 
paper and glue them down,....you'll come up with something!!
Philip

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From: David Bull <davebull@woodblock.com>
Date: Sat, 04 Dec 1999 09:18:16 +0900
Subject: [Baren 6988] Re: shrinking size

John wrote:
> In regards to buying hosho (or any sized paper):
> I have read on occasion that the sizing used on printing papers will
> deteriorate over time.

My 'quick search' using BBEdit shows me that we had an interesting
discussion on this very topic back in July of last year.  Head over to
the archives, look in Digest #229 in volume 4 (specifically the first
and last postings in the digest) and you will find information and
opinions from many people on just this topic.

***

Dutch asked:
> Dave the port o printer looks great could you include some ruff drawing
> and measurements.

Well I don't know about the usefulness of that ...  I built that thing
so that both of the benches (carving and printing) would fit _my_ body
size and my particular way of sitting - cross-legged, but with most of
the weight on the right leg ... the left knee raised up a bit ...

I doubt very much that you would have the same requirements.  If you
think the idea would be useful for you, then you will have to sit down
with some scraps of wood around you, and figure out which angles and
heights for the different components suit _you_.

***

A request for information was received from a Mr. Jules Heller.  Perhaps
one of you can help him (replies to him directly, please ...)

> I am at work on a ms. re Antonio Frasconi and would be most interested
> in receiving any information, anecdotes, etc. about him from present or
> former students and/or colleagues.
>
> For information, I recently co-curated and wrote the text for an
> exhibition of the work of Leopoldo Mendez (1902-1969) at Arizona State
> University. He was, in my opinion, the finest woodcut artist Mexico ever
> produced - - bar none. (I will also confess to having written, many
> years ago, a work called "Printmaking Today "and some other things.

<Jules.Heller@asu.edu>

***

Dave

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From: Wanda <robertson@canby.com>
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 16:57:13 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6989] Re: Dragon stuff & #4

Sure Julio,
Or you could make a draggin' body & a human head. :-)

I'm carving on both at the same time - sort of in this realm and out of
this realm. Although I think I will do another dragon besides this one
for the other exchange. I have time, right?

Wanda

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From: "Bea Gold" <bnj50@earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 17:26:32 -0800
Subject: [Baren 6990] Image and work space 

A couple of things -Barbara, about woodcut subjects and designs - nice thing
is that we all approach the design and subject matter differently - for me
the strength of the key block on a color print is what make woodcut printing
exciting - I love a strong black outline for a color cut and I love a strong
black design when not in color.  Since I started doing hanga though I
thought I should at least give no keyblock a try - so far I'm not happy.
Since people are what interest me and black (trying other colors) outlines
are what I like, woodblock prints are a natural medium. I don't know what
I'd do with monotype.

Work space - I have a workspace I love, made up of a long cocktail (coffee)
table, a portable drafting table that sits on top, that can be reversed for
cutting and printing.  I have a jig for printing where I don't have kento
marks on pre-hanga days woodcuts - my jig has kento marks cut into the frame
at different widths for different size borders. I use the rubber mats used
for motor homes and boats to keep things from slipping and shina blocks to
bring the height of the board I'm printing up to the level of the jig. I
have enough room to keep the printing material at hand on either side of the
drafting table. I just ordered a new cocktail table that has 4 drawers on
each side and a shelf under the table.  I think I'll be able to keep most of
my cutting and printing materials in the drawers or on the shelf.  The
dimensions are: 18"high x 46"wide x 22"deep.  The drawers are intended for
CDs or VHS tapes. I'm ordering it through Home Decorators Collection they
have a catalog(800)240-6047 but no web site! I lean over the table like Dave
sits low. Can't do that anymore!

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End of Baren Digest V9 #807
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