Today's postings

  1. [Baren 29292] Re: Baren Member blogs: Update Notification ("Mindy Wilson")
  2. [Baren 29293] Re: mini-print exchange ("Robert Canaga")
  3. [Baren 29294] Re: mini-print exchange ("Ellen Shipley")
  4. [Baren 29295] original vs recarved japanese woodblocks ("colleen # tin.it")
  5. [Baren 29296] Re: mini-print exchange (Charles Morgan)
  6. [Baren 29297] Re: Two Things (Jan Hasenpevar)
  7. [Baren 29298] Re: mini-print exchange (Ruth Leaf)
  8. [Baren 29299] looking at prints (Barbara Mason)
  9. [Baren 29300] Re: looking at prints (Mike Lyon)
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Message 1
From: "Mindy Wilson"
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:34:33 -0700
Subject: [Baren 29292] Re: Baren Member blogs: Update Notification
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Annie,
what a great sketch you have for your new print. The view is so
interesting. It will be fun to see this series evolve.

Mindy Wilson (Montana)
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Message 2
From: "Robert Canaga"
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:38:34 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29293] Re: mini-print exchange
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Would love to take part. What is your civilian email:)

> In 2003 and 2004, under the auspices of Print Australia, I coordinated a
> mini-print exchange scheduled around the southern summer, northern winter
> solstice ... about December 21. This year the moderator of PA has decided
> not to host this exchange. Since the exchange had been so successful in
> the past, I decided to run it as a private exchange. Since it is a private
> exchange, anyone is welcome to participate. If you are interested, please
> email me off-list for details. Closing date for sign-up is November 30.
>
> Cheers ....... Charles
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Message 3
From: "Ellen Shipley"
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 09:56:26 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29294] Re: mini-print exchange
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This sounds really interesting. 8-] Are there any rules as to size or
method or subject matter? I'd be interested.

Ellen


http://pressing-issues.blogspot.com/

http://thepickledpen.blogspot.com/

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/philippaschuyler/my_photos
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Message 4
From: "colleen # tin.it"
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 20:08:26 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: [Baren 29295] original vs recarved japanese woodblocks
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Thank you Tom for answering my question. Now I can look at prints in a
different way. After reading your "ways" of looking at a block to try
and determine whether it is an old block or new, I looked at my 2 new
purchases again with a different eye and now I have another question:
Since a very old-worn-out block can be recognized by lack of thin lines
because it is worn down, can I assume that the fine hair in my print
is an indication that the block is surely not that old? There are
samurais with really thin hair and I am certain that if they took many
impressions the lines must have broken. Then, in the same print, you
say that blocks of color went fuzzy so they were slightly cut on the
edges and this is why there are some white lines which look like
incorrect registration. Can't this be because the paper has shrunk
between impressions?

Yes Barbara, you are right!! I am a little
frustrated by the idea of purchasing something which has been printed
thousands of times as this lessens the value of the print. Where I live
unfortunately I dont' have a museum where I can look at japanese prints
so I can't have any kind of reference if not from books... but you
know that looking at prints from a book is nothing compared to looking
at the actual original. That is why I bought these two prints, to be
able to touch them and have a feel of this media which is so
fascinating. I can't stop looking at ebay offers always hoping I can
buy something new.
I guess I will get myself another gift for
Christmas!

John, wood engraving is another love I have - I own about
20-30 prints which I bought over the internet, all miniatures which are
a delight to look at ... and I am always fascinated by the intricacy of
this printmaking media!

Colleen
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Message 5
From: Charles Morgan
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 11:18:15 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29296] Re: mini-print exchange
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Ellen wrote:
>This sounds really interesting. 8-] Are there any rules as to size or
>method or subject matter? I'd be interested.

Ellen, I tried to email the information to you, but your ISP is blocking my
email. In the meantime, I have asked someone else to send it to you.

Please everyone, let's not clutter up Baren. You can email requests for
more information to me off list at: cmorgan@uvic.ca

Cheers ...... Charles
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Message 6
From: Jan Hasenpevar
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 23:05:19 +0100 (CET)
Subject: [Baren 29297] Re: Two Things
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I know about this problem in doing copper-engravings....the traditional way is to use a sponge (but a "natural"- one, didn't find the translation :-(), to absorb it with lightly warm water, to squeeze the water out and to let it glide (not rubbing) over the surface of the paper. Each paper is covered with waste paper and the whole batch is pinned down with a heavy glass- or stone-plaque. Then it is protected with a tarpaulin (?) against air and after one night it is prepared to print on - if it is still too wet you can pass the papers through a printing press.

Julio.Rodriguez@walgreens.com wrote:
>Sorry, forgot to include this most valuable link regarding water/paper which is worth reading over and over:
>http://woodblock.com/encyclopedia/entries/onepoint/018_29/018_29_frame.html
>And if you have not checked in on Mike Lyon's monster press....go over to his blog to
>see the latest pics on the press bed taking shape and the roller movements assembly....
>http://www.mlyon.com/blog/
>
>thanks....Julio Rodriguez
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Message 7
From: Ruth Leaf
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 16:13:27 -0800
Subject: [Baren 29298] Re: mini-print exchange
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I would very much like the details. Thanks. Ruth Leaf

Robert Canaga wrote:
> Would love to take part. What is your civilian email:)

Charles wrote:
>> In 2003 and 2004, under the auspices of Print Australia, I
>> coordinated a mini-print exchange scheduled around the southern
>> summer, northern winter solstice ... about December 21. This year the
>> moderator of PA has decided not to host this exchange. Since the
>> exchange had been so successful in the past, I decided to run it as a
>> private exchange. Since it is a private exchange, anyone is welcome
>> to participate. If you are interested, please email me off-list for
>> details. Closing date for sign-up is November 30.
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Message 8
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2005 17:17:22 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 29299] looking at prints
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Colleen,
I understand your frustration at trying to figure out if these woodblock prints are old or new. I have a couple and they were sold to me by a reputable dealer here in Portland as old and I think they are. The artist is unknown on both of them. I am amazed at how unrefined some of the lines are. I assume they are copying brush strokes, but at any rate they look sort of sketchy and the black is grey.

After seeing some of the beautiful prints in museums, and seeing Dave's work, it makes the ones I have look almost like a poor advertisement for prints. I know they were thought of as very common when they were done. This would be sort of like buying a comic book now, a less polished work that just gets the message across. After all if they only cost the same as a bowl of noodles, they cannot have been expensive for the average person. Sort of changes one's perspective when you think of them this way.

When I see these auctions there are always prints that are very inexpensive, but I know so little about the value of them. It would be fun to know more. Can anyone shed light on this? I would love to collect more, but like Colleen I am leary of not really knowing what I am getting. I think I would like lesser known artists that have interesting work, I am particularly drawn to the birds and flowers. Maybe that is a girl thing. I am less interested in the wrestlers and actors...so probably it is a girl thing.

If anyone has a list of artists whose work is less money but competant, can you post it? Then I can look for their work. Thanks in advance!
Best to all,
Barbara
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Message 9
From: Mike Lyon
Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 07:05:24 -0600
Subject: [Baren 29300] Re: looking at prints
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Dear Barbara,

My great friend, Jerry Vegder in Port Townsend, WA is scrupulously
honest, a wonderful intelligence, and extremely knowledgeable about
Japanese prints! He has some inexpensive 'bird and flower' prints
for sale at his site, http://printsofjapan.com -- He's quite a
charming 'eccentric' as his site reflects, and his unusual taste is
so highly refined...

For examples, check out this fantastic waterfall already matted and
hinged for $34!! http://www.printsofjapan.com/anonymous_meiji_seal_print.htm

Also, the $145 already matted chrysanthemum,
http://www.printsofjapan.com/Gengyo_sumie_mum.htm
$135 similar flower, matted
http://www.printsofjapan.com/gengyo_bud_vase__flower_harimaze.htm
and $135 matted bird on walnut (...plus) at
http://www.printsofjapan.com/gengyo_harimaze_bird_walnut.htm

I'm sure he'd enjoy discussion with you about these or any other
Japanese prints!

-- Mike