Baren Digest              Saturday, 24 March 2001      Volume 14 : Number 1367


----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Cucamongie@aol.com
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 08:30:41 EST
Subject: [Baren 14017] Methyl cellulose 

Hi folks, Carol, if Methocel is indeed methyl cellulose, there is no reason 
to add ammonia!  Just water will do, mix it in slowly til you get the 
thickness that you need for printing.  After I've mixed up a batch of it, I 
keep it in the refridgerator.  This keeps it fresh.
Sarah

------------------------------

From: "eli griggs" <eli.griggs@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 18:18:55 -0500
Subject: [Baren 14018] handmade flax papers 

Hi there:

Is anyone using handmade, flax papers in their printmaking.  If so, how does
flax handle, as a ground for printing, by press or by hand methods?

Are there any special qualities, that recommend flax as a printmaking paper,
that you care to discuss.

Are you making your own papers or buying them from a regular source?

Has anyone them for any of the exchanges?

Thanks,

Eli Griggs
Charlotte N.C.
USA

------------------------------

From: "Tyrus Clutter" <TRClutter@NNU.Edu>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 15:27:18 -0700
Subject: [Baren 14019] #8 is finally here 

Wow, how thrilling! I am so glad that I finally participated in an =
exchange. I love that smell of oil when you first open the package of =
prints (my apologies to the hanga folks). If I participate in #10 too I =
will likely be using all these prints for a show next year in the =
galleries I am director of. I'll send individual comments as the images =
are posted.

><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><~><
Prof. Tyrus Clutter
Director of Friesen Art Galleries
Dept. of Art & Music
Northwest Nazarene University
623 Holly St.
Nampa, Idaho  83686
TRClutter@NNU.edu
(208) 467-8398

------------------------------

From: Kris Alder <krisalder@cc.usu.edu>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 17:45:32 -0700
Subject: [Baren 14020] RE: handmade flax papers eli griggs <eli.griggs@worldnet.att.net> 



Hi Eli,
I have used handmade flax paper for printing.  The paper I used is some that I 
made myself.  I love the texture of flax paper for most uses, and use it 
primarily in handmade books; but I'm not sure how well I like printing on it. 
The print I did was printed on a press because I wanted to be sure to get a 
good transfer of ink.  Due to the fiberous nature of the handmade flax paper I 
used, I found I was having to use quite a bit of pressure when doing it by 
hand, and in the end the press worked better for me.  I also found that 
because of the bumpy fibers, sometimes ink coverage was uneven. There were 
even a few spots where the ink would "peel off" with the paper fibers. For the 
most part this wasn't a problem because it just added interest to the texture 
in the background. I have also experimented with chine`colle on top of flax 
paper.  So far it's had mixed results.

I don't know if this helps or not.  Maybe someone else has had more experience 
with this type of paper.  I'd love to hear about others' experience  using it 
too.

***Ray, and all exchange #8:***  My prints arrived! There is just something 
about the smell of fresh ink and paper that creates an urgent anticipation 
while opening that new package of prints! We had a big unveiling here at my 
house with my family.  My husband, who is usually quite reserved about such 
things, dove right in and started laying them out for all of us to look at.  
It was all very exciting to see the variety and quality of the prints in this 
folio.  Compliments to everyone on your great work! 
My kids are anxious to get in on some printing now too.  See?  It is a bit 
catchy (...like some chronic virus or something!) ;) 
They have only used speedy-cut blocks up to now, but who knows?  I foresee a 
larger wood pile in our future....hmmm....

Well, it's off to do more planning so I can cut and print so more!
Kris

*****************************************
Kristine Alder  
Printmaker/Art Educator/Book Artist
Logan, UT  email: krisalder@cc.usu.edu
                  imakeprints@hotmail.com
*****************************************

------------------------------

From: B E Mason <bemason@concentric.net>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 19:34:26 -0800
Subject: [Baren 14021] help 

Hello friends,
I am trying to print a white print on black paper and it is not 
coming out as I had envisioned it...Anyone have a favorite black 
paper? I tried Arches cover, not great, cason charcoal paper, 
worked surprisingly well, but the ink is sitting on top of the 
paper. I also used uyhru (sp?) and it is a little soft but I like 
the paper. If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears. I wanted 
to do a print where I carved the lines and printed the rest white 
showing the lines as black...guess I am just a sucker for making 
my own life difficult. What shall I put in the ink? I tried sets 
well and a little transparent base and it is working, but maybe a 
stiffer ink is better? I had trouble getting a stiffer ink to 
print on dry paper. So if anyone has had success with this, let 
me know. Guess I could print it all black and then white, but 
that seems overkill.
Thanks in advance,
Barbara

------------------------------

End of Baren Digest v14 #1367
*****************************