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Message 1
From: John Steins
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:01:43 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42354] Should the block be offered for sale?
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Dear Bareners,

I've been following your discussions with great interest.

Recently I was approached by a client to make an 8" x 10" wood block
print as a commission with an edition size of around 12. They also
want to purchase the block to display alongside the print. This has me
flummoxed since I've never been asked to sell one of my blocks as part
of a commission.

I'm not even sure if it's a good idea. Do any of you have experience
with this? What would you advise?

Thanks
John Steins

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Message 2
From: Raymond Hudson
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:18:22 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42355] Re: Should the block be offered for sale?
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John,
I've sold the blocks a few times, but I always charge more than for a print. I also make
some minor modification to the block & then I'll add some paint and rub it with oil or
something so that it's more that a block: it becomes a sort of minor sculpture. I've joined
several blocks into a large collage (when using solid wood; not the shina plywood) and
then painted over them, rubbed the paint off in places, etc. to make it hold together
as a single work.
Ray

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Message 3
From: John Steins
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:28:46 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42356] Re: Should the block be offered for sale?
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Thanks Raymond, that's an interesting approach. As we all know the
block itself can be of great aesthetic beauty but what about the
potential for someone pulling prints from it in the future? I take it
your modifications would inhibit that?

What would be a reasonable surcharge for the block expressed as a
percentage of the value of a print?

John

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Message 4
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:57:19 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42357] Re: Should the block be offered for sale?
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John,

I sell my blocks all the time. In fact, out of all the blocks from years of
printmaking I only have three left that have not been sold. I price them as
a one-of-a-kind piece, mounted and framed and very rarely does the print not
go with the block. People love to display both together.

Here are a couple that I have on one of my online galleries so you can also
see how I mount them and price them:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/683510-GrandCanyonBLOCK-RL11032010
http://www.rubylane.com/item/683510-BLOCK-Storm-RL11092012

As far as "cancelling" the block, as you can see in some of the detail
pictures, I sign my name and date right on the block after the last print is
pulled. I let the last layer of ink dry completely. Then I cover the block
with several coats of heavy polyurethane. There is a product by Krylon
called Triple-Thick that will spray a heavy coat of polyurethane and it
dries fairly fast. I use at least two and more often three coats of that.

The end result is that the block is very well protected, but more
importantly, the fine lines are completely filled with polyurethane and the
larger cuts are very "rounded" so that a crisp print would be impossible to
pull. In engravings, like the one you see above, the lines are completely
filled in. Thus the block is cancelled for further printing.

I hope this helps. Collectors LOVE the original blocks.

Maria


[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]
www.1000woodcuts.com
www.artfestivalguide.info
[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]

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Message 5
From: John Steins
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:17:31 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42358] Re: Should the block be offered for sale?
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Thanks Maria,

Your blocks look so great the way they are displayed!

I've never considered doing that myself, so in this case I'll be able
to offer something to my client.

Thanks!

John

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Message 6
From: Aaron Gillette
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:16:36 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42359] Re: Should the block be offered for sale?
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I've always looked at framing and displaying blocks as kind of an
oddity. They're a means to an end (a print), not a finished product.

However, when I see Maria's blocks, I understand why someone would want
to show them off. Beautiful work.

- Aaron

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Message 7
From: John Steins
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:31:54 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42360] Re: Should the block be offered for sale?
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Aaron,

Yes, I agree that the printing matrix is a means to an end. I've
always approached it that way but one can't avoid the fact that the
block itself can be a desirable object within itself, wonderful to
hold and touch, like a well burnished wood engraving block for
example.

The selling issue is new to me.

John

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Message 8
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:44:43 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42361] Re: Should the block be offered for sale?
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Well, Thank you Aaron, I'm sure selling the matrix is not for everyone and
it is indeed considered odd.

I didn't set out to sell my blocks but once I started gathering regular
collectors from my art festivals, some of my most frequent "flyers" would
ask me the question: "What do you do with your blocks?"
I often answered that I stack them in the studio for posterity but then I
got to thinking that at least I should bring them out to exhibit them.

So I brought them out to exhibit them and one thing led to another, people
started offering me outrageous amounts of money for them. Well, outrageous
to me anyhow.

Then came the problem of what if someone starts pulling "restrikes" from
them, which was probably a little vane since I'm not exactly famous (outside
of Baren, that is :-).
At first I used a two-part pouring polyurethane resin which hardens to about
1/8 of a inch solid polyurethane layer but that obscured the relief a bit.
Beautiful though, looks like amber encasing.

So I finally settled on the Triple-Thick Krylon spray, which eliminates the
possibility of a decent restrike but preserves the relief carving for
everyone to see.

The most beautiful ones are the puzzle color ones. When finished with the
edition, I just ink the pieces as if I was going to pull another print then
let the ink dry. Takes quite a while. Then I poly as usual.
Here is one of my favorites:
http://www.1000woodcuts.com/fullsize/flowerwizard.html

Maria

[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]
www.1000woodcuts.com
www.artfestivalguide.info
[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]

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Message 9
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:34:01 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42362] Exchange #47 Aaaaall aboard!
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Hello everyone!



Exchange 47 is up and running. I will still accept new participants until
the end of this weekend, so November 21 in the US Pacific 8:00am or
thereabouts the sign up form will come down. Last chance to try out the
watery stuff!!! We have four more spaces for a full exchange and there are
bound to be drop outs so there's plenty of room.



Now then (do you hate that expression?), this email also serves as the
official launch of this Exchange #47. Forty-seven! Boggles the mind.

The page to keep close to your browser's heart is here:

http://www.barenforum.org/exchange/exchange_47/exchange_47.html



As you know, next week is shot if you live in the US because of
Thanksgiving. Then there's the shopping season, then the Holiday season,
then.

So, I would strongly suggest that everyone start now rather than not now.



As you may NOT know, albeit allegedly funny at times, I'm a real witch when
it comes to deadlines. A REAL witch, broom, cauldron with magic potions, eat
small children.the whole works. I have cursed late participants before and
all the hairs fell out of their printing brushes.even across the ocean!
Powerful witch.with pointy nose.



So let's get going, shall we?

First order of business, please check the above page for misspellings and
other web-errors. Anyone signed up not on that list, or conversely anyone on
that list that did not sign up, give me a ring at
coordinator47@bareforum.org



EVERYONE NOTE!!! Please get back to me at that address above, heck I'll
repeat it coordinator47@barenforum.org and CONFIRM your eagerness to get
your brushes wet with tasty rice paste (confirm your participation please, I
get carried away with the flowery language).



That's it, if you don't confirm I'll have to bug you privately and may stick
a pin on your doll (yes, I just made 26 little dolls to stick pins in for
whimsical reasons).



Maria, your energetic coordinator a vous service



[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]

www.1000woodcuts.com

www.artfestivalguide.info

[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]

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Message 10
From: olek wozniak
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:38:50 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42363] Re: Exchange #47 Aaaaall aboard!
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Hi Ive signed to the 47 xchange, but I cannot find myself on the
participants' list.
what is wrong? Should I sign up again?
cheers.
Olek

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Message 11
From: "Sonia Jensen"
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:26:59 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42364] Re: New Baren Digest (Text) V53 #5435 (Nov 18, 2010)
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This is my first time to sign up for a Baren Exchange (#47). I am a bit
confused over the update of the accepted "Method" under details of Baren
Exchange #47. After singing up I didn't really think it was necessary to
check the "method" for up dates. The time frame is half over. As pointed
out it is a busy time of the year. Until an hour ago, my assumption was
the same as Robert's. Also I have tried to confirm with questions twice this
afternoon at Ms Diener coordinator47@barenforum.org and both emails have
been returned. Confused and discouraged in Wyoming.

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Message 12
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:11:04 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42365] RE: Exchange 47 clarification
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Sonia! Good to hear from you.

I seem to be getting emails loud and clear at coordinator47@barenforum.org
I have received 8 confirmations at that address today.

I understand anyone's confusion over the method, however this exchange was
discussed and voted as a moku-hanga technique exchange since long before the
signup page was put up. If anyone that is signed up did not understand this
and wants to bow out, no problem at all! Just let me know. The address above
works or email me directly at 1000woodcuts at gmail dot com.

The accepted method for this particular exchange is moku-hanga, described
as:
Traditional Japanese polychrome (multi-color) wood block print - hand rubbed
with baren, multi-block, water color pigments brushed on block, Japanese
printmaking paper, kento registration.

Apologies for the confusion.
Maria

[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]
www.1000woodcuts.com
www.artfestivalguide.info
[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]

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Message 13
From: "Maria Arango Diener"
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:15:40 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42366] Re: Exchange 47 clarification
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I see the problem, one of the addresses was bareforum.org which is how we
seem sometimes when we don't talk enough. It is coordinator47@barenforum.org


Sorry again! Yikes...

[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]
www.1000woodcuts.com
www.artfestivalguide.info
[=o=][=o=][=o=][=o=]

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Message 14
From: Dorothy818 # cs.com
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:39:21 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42367] Should the block be offered for sale
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Hi John,
I am an east coast printmaker and find your question interesting in light
of what I have just observed as a recent trend in the print market. I always
attend the New York Print Fair at the Park Avenue Armory in November and
noticed for the first time ever this year, three dealers were selling their
artists' plates along with a matching print. Mary Ryan at Mary Ryan Gallery
in NYC was selling a beautiful double sided white line wood block with the
print, not by the well known Blanche Lazzell, but one of her contemporaries.
It was stained with the color from the printing, but not canceled in anyway
I could observe. The combined price was $35,000. Michael Verne of the
Verne Collection who specializes in contemporary Japanese prints, was selling a
gorgeous mezzotint plate with the last print from it. The Japanese artist
had drawn a deep incised line in the right corner of the copper plate for
cancellation purposes. Again the price was VERY high for the print/plate
combo.

Make sure you protect your image and receive a good compensation for your
block as a unique object.

Good Luck,
Dorothy Cochran
www.dorothycochran.com

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Message 15
From: John Steins
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:30:59 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42368] Re: Should the block be offered for sale
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Hi Dorothy,

Thank you for the advice. I wonder if it's not a growing trend? I'm
completely flummoxed by it and very anxious about placing a value on
the block itself. Of course if someone were offering $35,000 I'd
deliver it personally (grin).

Cheers,
John


----------------------------
www.johnsteins.com
----------------------------

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Message 16
From: "Paul & Erin Nolan"
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:49:59 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42369] Introduction: Erin K. Nolan
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Hello all!

I've been a lurker at Baren Forum for quite some time, but want to introduce myself since I will be participating in my first Baren Exchange (#47). I live in rural Illinois and have experimented with linoleum and now shina wood. I use Graphic Chemical water-based and Faust inks with Japanese washi. I've liked the qualities of kitakata, sekishu, and unryu papers and am still trying others as I learn. I'm teaching myself to use multi-blocks and watercolors right now.

Before finding woodblock relief prints I tried oil, acrylic, watercolor, pan pastel, pen and ink, colored pencils, metalwork, ceramics, etc. The results of these were very encouraging, but so much of myself went into these pieces I couldn't sell them. Printmaking solved that because I can share my art without giving up the block which holds the spirit of the piece.

This is just my second year working in woodblock and I can easily see it being a lifelong process. There are so many techniques to learn. Printmaking definitely makes use of both the logical and creative and I really like that challenge. It is almost like a competition with myself to try to make each new block better than all its predecessors.

Nature and the lessons I've learned through observation have been my primary themes. I tend to show less realism and focus more of pattern, texture and energy. If you are interested in viewing some of my work, please visit www.erinknolan.com or see my blog at www.pejnolan.blogspot.com .

Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,
Erin K. Nolan

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Message 17
From: andrea # starkeyart.com
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:57:32 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42370] RE: Introduction: Erin K. Nolan
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Nice to see you here, Erin! Glad you've joined the exchange. Your web site looks great.Andrea

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Message 18
From: Bette Wappner
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 04:22:24 GMT
Subject: [Baren 42371] Re: Introduction: Erin K. Nolan
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Hi Erin-- So glad to hear you're on board with BarenForum AND
Exchange #47.
I'm excited to be in this moku hanga exchange with you.
You're very creative and successful artist.
All the best,
Bette Wappner

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Subject: Carving -- Christmas 2010
Posted by: Ellen Shipley

This item is taken from the blog Pressing-Issues.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.

Subject: Winter exhibition
Posted by: JennifersCabin

This item is taken from the blog Jennifer Martindale.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.

Subject: Tiger Lily Press Print Sale Photos
Posted by: Bette Norcross Wappner --

This item is taken from the blog SURIMONO GARDEN.
'Reply' to Baren about this item.

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