Baren Digest             Saturday, 18 January 2003     Volume 22 : Number 2098


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From: "nancy osadchuk" <nosadchuk#hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:06:14 -0700
Subject: [Baren 20457] Hand printing questions 

I mix dry pigments with alcohol first to wet them and then add
water. I don't use  mortar and pestle (kitchen police won't
allow) but have a piece of plate glass that I used glass etching
fluid on..sorry can't remember the brand name, and  palette
knife..worked fine.

About the barens, I have a friend who does very good Japanese
woodcuts and his favorite baren is made from a peanut butter can
lid...a drawer knob glued on for handle.  I haven't seen peanut
butter in cans for quite awhile, but obviously many things work
if you don't havea 'real' baren

Nancy O.
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From: "nancy osadchuk" <nosadchuk#hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:24:15 -0700
Subject: [Baren 20458] #15 Exchange 

I have done hanga before, but only as a beginner and never done
more than 5 or 10 prints. I am going to be away shortly so sentin
mine already....all 31 and believe me I was tempted to send only
about 20. Next time I will know many more things learned from
this effort.......so I am still in the 'carving is easier' phase
of woodcut!...............

 Nancy O.


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From: "April Vollmer" <april#aprilvollmer.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:49:06 -0500
Subject: [Baren 20459] BYOP 

Carol Wagner, thanks for the info on early uses of woodcut. I love the idea
of taking your own paper to the temple to print your own copies of their
texts.

best,

April
www.aprilvollmer.com



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From: John and Jan Telfer <jtelfer#iinet.net.au>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 03 00:00:09 +0800
Subject: [Baren 20460] Re: Japanese Umbrella prints and umbrellas on Exhibiton 

Today I had a peek in the windows of Gallery East in North Fremantle in 
Western Australia ...not far from where the USS Abraham Lincoln is 
anchored .... at its new Exhibition which started tonight for part of the 
Perth Arts Festival.

Perth Arts Festival at this time of year takes advantage of our unlimited 
sunshine and no rain at this time of year and so places like The 
University of WA has its Sommerville open air theatre complete with deck 
chairs, the Luna, complete with deck chairs and Kings Park as at least 
three temporary theatres hessianed off - one for Shakespeare, one for 
film where last week we saw "Bend it like Beckham" ... and well worth the 
sore back sitting on the evening damp ground as a the result of the days 
sprinklers, to see it and there is also the children's Pinnochio theatre 
on at present.

We have lots of other exciting things on too... Gallery East Opened today 
with a wonderful, wonderful exhibition of Undercover The Umbrella in 
Japanese Art.  I have so far only seen it through the window, but if it 
is anything like their Monet's Japan, David will have me visiting several 
times!

The invitation reads:
"Together with the kimono and fan, the lacquered paper umbrella is the 
quintessential image of old Japan.  Although rarely thought of as an 
object to be decorated in itself the simple elegance of the umbrella was 
used throughtout Japanese art as an important element in pictorial 
composition.  This exhibition brings together more than 50 tradional and 
contemporary Japanese prints but the leading artists of the 19th and 20th 
Centuries in which the umbrella (wagasa) plays a stunning part of the 
design and in which the society of the day is vividly illustrated.

Whether in the dramatic poses of the Kabuki Theatre: the elegance of the 
great courtesans of the Pleasure Quarter; the drama of stories of legend, 
the everyday life of the people of Edo: or the busy life of the citizens 
of Tokyo; the umbrella acts as a protection, foil, or fashion accessory.

In Japanese art, the umbrella is inextricably linked with the themes of 
rain and snow and the emotions associated with the four seasons.  The 
umbrella is also used as both a romantic and erotic devise; suitors 
arriving under sheltering umbrellas add an elemnet of intrigue and 
passion; an unfurled, half opened or fully opened umnbrella signifies the 
full range of sexual advance and fulfilment.  Broken and tattered 
umbrellas evoke a poignant image of fragility and the inevitable passage 
of time; or of violence, whether from battle or the elements.  Umbrellas 
can even assume a supernatioural existence."

The Gallery East prints can be viewed on www.galleryeast.com.au You too can 
enjoy these prints on line unless you will be visiting Perth 
WAust in the next month.  See you there!

Jan

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From: John and Jan Telfer <jtelfer#iinet.net.au>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 03 00:00:23 +0800
Subject: [Baren 20461] Re: Pigment mixing 


>From: David Bull <davebull#woodblock.com>
>Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 22:15:35 +0900
>Subject: [Baren 20442] Re: Dry Pigment Mixing - HELP! 
>
>Jan wrote:

>> I have tried mixing them with water, but the powder just floats on top.
>> I added a few drops of Gum Arabic (liquid) to the powder and mixed madly
>> but it didn't seem to do much.
>> I'd appreciate any help or suggestions anyone has.

>
>I wrote a bit about this in the Encyclopedia a while back. If you go to:
>http://www.barenforum.org/encyclopedia.html
>... and look in the 'One-Point Lesson' section ... lesson #6 explains 
>about using alcohol to 'wet' the pigments so they will mix with 
>water/gum arabic/glue etc.  The same page then links to some photos that 
>show how I keep the pigments stored in paste form - ready-to-use ...
>
>HTH ...
>
>Dave
>

Yes, thanks Dave I have found that too after my frustrating week.  I knew 
there was something there somewhere as I have read it before, but 
couldn't remember the "alcohol" ingredient.

With thanks,
Jan

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

From: Barbara Mason <barbaramason45#yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 08:39:33 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 20462] japanese prints 

Jan,

Your exhibit in Perth sounds wonderful, you said we might see it
online...where????

We can never see enough good work, it does tend to inspire us.
Sometimes it just makes us frustrated but we keep working and
cutting and printing...

We who live in the land of all winter rain are jealous of your
great weather...but do not envy your sore back. I had one of
those myself after lifting and toting all that stuff in the NW
Print Council move. It looks good now, but never thought we would
be at this point.

I have switched to Yahoo for the baren messages and it is so nice
to just get all these messages in one place with nothing else on
this address. What a great joy to see 14 messages all from Baren
and no spam. Wahoo!

Best to all,

Barbara


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From: "Jeanne N. Chase" <studiojnc#prodigy.net>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 12:00:03 -0500
Subject: [Baren 20463] Re: #15 Exchange 

Nancy

Join the crowd. So many of us are struggling with this Hanga process.
Yours will probably outshine most of them.
Luck
Jeanne N.


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From: G Wohlken <blueman#pantek.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 12:39:37 +0000
Subject: [Baren 20464] New Hosho paper grain 

If anyone here has used "New Hosho" from the Baren Mall, can they tell 
me the direction of the grain?  Is the long way, the grain direction on 
this?  I am ready to cut paper and want to do this right.  The grain of 
my wood goes the long way (for Exchange 15).  Do I have the short 
dimension on the paper I cut be on the short side of the "New Hosho"? 
 Since I get the digest and the answer would come tomorrow, I wouldn't 
mind people answering me by email so I get it sooner.  I went through 
all the paper grain stuff in the archives, but still feel a little 
unsure about this.  Help?

Gayle in Ohio




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From: Julio.Rodriguez#walgreens.com
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 12:20:39 -0600
Subject: [Baren 20465] Re: #15 Exchange



Nancy.......I got your wonderful twin-goats in the mail. They are 
outstanding!!!

Re the carving vs. printing thingie.....I am now convinced that the 
printing process is the more challenging and rewarding part. My many 
failures and the insistance by others as to the importance & complexities 
of the printing process have made a convert out of me.  Watching John & David 
work on their collaboration print and learning from the 30+ steps 
resulting print is quite an eye opener of how much there is to learn.

Sometimes when we abandon  the safe harbor of our daily routine, we open 
ourselves to new modes of expressions which allows us to become less 
inhibited. New ideas flow & magical stuff happens. Perhaps our hanga 
prints will be quite different from the regular body of work we put 
out...but for sure they will convey a message from & about the 
artist....and after all... is that not what making Art is all about ?

Remember this, even in hanga....

"An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."  (Charles Horton 
Cooley).

thanks...Julio Rodriguez (Skokie, Illinois)

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From: Milky Scarabs <milkyscarabs#earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 12:27:35 -0700
Subject: [Baren 20466] Gayle #15 question 


>
>
>
>From: G Wohlken <blueman#pantek.com>
>Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 10:30:53 +0000
>Subject: [Baren 20446] Number of Prints - Exchange #15 
>
>Question regarding Exchange #15.  I notice we are a group of 28, plus 
>archive which makes it 29.  Why are we supposed to be sending 31 prints?  
>
>Thanks
>
>Gayle in Ohio
>


hi, gayle.

i was actually trying to wrastle up some additional participants to fill 
out the exchange, but i am now receiving packages with just 29 prints in them,
so you all can just go ahead and send me 29 prints total.
any extras will be returned to you (and i'll just stop trying to get my 
printmaking friends to join).
:)

- -- 
love <3 & lint * !
kat pukas, #15 coordinator
http://home.earthlink.net/~milkyscarabs



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From: "Lopas, Matthew" <Lopas#mercury.hendrix.edu>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:46:45 -0600
Subject: [Baren 20467] Re: block printing workshop

micheal. its been a while since i was in europe. are those schillings or
euros? Also. is there some website where I can see your work?

Matthew Lopas
Assistant Professor of Art
Hendrix College
1600 Washington Ave.
Conway, AR 72032

(501)450- 1262
www.itheo.com  (keyword "lopas")
www.newartsgallery.com/newsite/




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From: Julio.Rodriguez#walgreens.com
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:47:27 -0600
Subject: [Baren 20468] Re: What a Kiss !!!! 

Gayle, did you try the 'rip' test.....cut a little strip of paper and see
which way is more resistant to tearing ????

ArtsOnPaper magazine is reporting the sale of one of Munch's woodcut (much 
discussed here on Baren a little while back) at............. $180,000. Not 
bad for a little ink on paper ! What a kisser !!!!=20

thanks....Julio


Edvard Munch, The Kiss, woodcut (17-3/4 x 18-1/2 in.), printed ca. 1910. SN=
Y, 11/7,=20
est. $100,000?$150,000, sold for $180,000



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From: Julio.Rodriguez#walgreens.com
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 16:02:51 -0600
Subject: [Baren 20469] Re: Paper link.... 



Sorry for the multiple postings today but I won't be online for a few days 
and I want it to get this link to the list.
I always get confused when I go to my local art store and they carry just 
one or two options in paper....

For those that like those frenchie papers or is it papeurs ?....Here is 
the Canson-US (importers of Arches & Rives) website for printmaking papers 
listing all their products:

http://www.canson-us.com/printmaking_details.asp#05


se la vie.........Julio





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From: David Bull <davebull#woodblock.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 08:50:49 +0900
Subject: [Baren 20470] Re: New Hosho paper grain 


> If anyone here has used "New Hosho" from the Baren Mall, can they tell 
> me the direction of the grain?  Is the long way, the grain direction on 
> this?


No, the grain on a large sheet of Japanese paper like that always runs 
along the short side.

Picture the papermaker standing at the vat, holding the large screen in 
his hands. The screen is _horizontal_ in front of him, as his arms 
spread wide apart to hold it.

He dips the far side of the screen into the vat, scoops up the fibre 
mix, and starts rocking it front to back. This tends to align the fibres 
in the same direction, lined up away from him. Of course he also varies 
his rocking pattern with sideways movements, and this is what helps to 
get the fibres all mixed up and woven together, but it is the primary 
front-to-back motion that creates the grain (which has no relation at 
all to the _visible_ lines in many Japanese papers - which are caused by 
bamboo strips in the screen itself.)

Dave


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From: "Maria Diener (aka Arango)" <maria#mariarango.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 17:13:10 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20471] exch 15 c

I'm done!!!
Victory is mine now!
We have blotches for all tastes, misregistrations and other unnamed slips.
If you have a special request on a specific color blotch, please do so now
and contact your coordinator (you can choose between a green blotch, a pink
slurr, a brown oopsie, or a nice double border on the left or on the right).
Seriously now, my main problem seemed to be something I didn't think about
and that is that I didn't really carve deeply enough for this method (ergo
the blotchiness thereof). I recarved and recarved and it just never seemed
enough. In the oily method, I can get nice coverage and clean prints with a
shallower cut, even with damp paper. My other main problem was that I didn't
have any control over the amount of pigment and paste, so prints varied
widely. My other main problem was...oh never mind!

John Center is here, say hi John:
"this is not rocket science we all can do this    each process is deiffernt
but you are not going to change the nature of the beast   oily will always
be oily."  just get on the learning curve   you might fall off by get back
on.     the furry one

By y'all!
Maria

<||><||><||><||><||><||>
     Maria Arango
  Las Vegas Nevada USA
  www.1000woodcuts.com
<||><||><||><||><||><||>



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From: juan <viscult#prodigy.net.mx>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 08:15:01 -0600
Subject: [Baren 20472] Re: Baren Digest V22 #2096 


>JAN:


Try adding some drops of isopropyl alcohol to the pigments and stir the
container with the cap. Here I get de iso alc. easily with chemical
 suppliers.




>Tomorrow I am going to get out my sturdy Windsor & Newton tubs and mix
>them up for my Hanga 15 as I am now panicking BIG TIME.  I thought these
>would be so much easier to use....Ha Ha Ha!  They may be when I get the
>ingredients right!
>
>I'd appreciate any help or suggestions anyone has.
>
>Help!
>
>Jan
>In isolated Western Australia but still civilised!
*


Juan Guerrero
J. Pilar Ruiz 276
F. del R=EDo.   Morelia
58040   MEXICO
tel/Ph: (443) 320 7273
Alternative e-mail:
2ojos#ozu.es
www.juanguerrero.galeon.com



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From: Wanda <robertson#canby.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 19:12:40 -0800
Subject: [Baren 20473] Introduction: Ivelina Ivanova 

This just received:

Creative Work Autobiography


I was born on January 24th, 1976 in the town of Rouse,
Republic of Bulgaria.
In 1995, I completed the course of secondary education
in my native town  Fine Arts class. The same year I
applied and was consequently enrolled to the National
Academy of Fine Arts, city of Sofia, for Major
Graphics. In 1997, as a Diploma Artwork in Perspective
course, I made the film The Apple that treated the
problematic of space, matter and light.
In 1998/1999, I took participation in two graphic
design contests organized by Goethe Institute and in
another third contest  a joint venture of Goethe
Institute, French Cultural Institute and British
Council. In two of these contests I was third and was
duly awarded.
In 2000, I participated in the 15th International
Triennale for Original Graphics held in Grenchen,
Switzerland.
In 2001, I participated in the 20th Biennale for small
Graphics, held in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
In 2002 I graduated the National Academy of Fine Arts.
2002-I participated in : national exhibition for young
artist,organized from "St. st. Kiril i Metodij"
foundation Sofia,Bulgaria;
Calligraphy exhibition "bulgarian
letters",Sofia,Bulgaria
I am interesting very much and I am working now in a
field of woodblock printmaking, calligraphy,too.I
would like to learn more about japanese woodblock
printmaking.I am sorry very much about my bad english.
I would like to take a part of your site and the
discusions with a big pleasure.
I would like to send to you some of my works /wood engravings/, by
e-mail,but I tried and it cannot .I`ll try again.

best regards
Ivelina Ivanova


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End of Baren Digest V22 #2098
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