Happy Valentine's Day

It's been way too long hasn't it my Valentine?

More to come soon...

New Test Print

Open Studios is coming this weekend, and I've been cleaning up my studio, trying to stash away things to make my studio presentable to visitors.  I've also been working on a small test print in plans for a larger woodcut print.  Making a smaller print first allows me to work out my ideas before committing to a much larger piece.

This new print is of a petunia flower.  The test print is cropped much tighter than I will have for a the larger print. The first color printed is yellow.

The second color is a light transparent blue.

I will be working on other colors today, and hopefully finishing in time for Open Studios this weekend

Today is the Last Day of the Firefly Gypsy Market

The Gypsy Firefly Sale was so much fun yesterday, and the turnout was great. Thank you to everyone who came by. All of the "gypsy" booths looked so good, especially at night with all of the little white lights. Stop by today to see me and and my work in the VW bus before I drive away at 3pm!

Firefly Gypsy Farm Market this weekend!

Please join me this weekend at the Firefly Gypsy Farm Market. I will be a part of the caravan of artists displaying in my VW Westphalia Bus!  This weekend will also be the debut of my 2012 woodcut scroll calendar. It will be a lot of fun, and I hope to see you there!

Reception at Rabbit Brush Gallery Tomorrow Night

Please join me tomorrow night at the reception of my exhibition at Rabbit Brush Gallery in Hygiene

The "Hang and Level"

Every once in a great while I get sucked in to buying products displayed on the end caps of stores.  I really try to ignore these displays, but recently I got sucked in to a table at Home Depot for the Hang and Level, a bright yellow plastic gadget for hanging pictures that I was previously pondering about inventing for myself, but someone beat me to it.

Anyone that hangs a lot of pictures knows how challenging it is to align several frames at once.  One way is to hang pictures with a measuring tape and a pencil, measuring the hanging point on the wire from the top of the frame, and how that lines up on the wall.  Lots of little pencil marks are made and some head scratching too as the math can get complicated when considering hanging at 57" from the center point (the average height from the floor for optimal viewing of pictures).  Apartment Therapy has a post on that subject. Sometimes I have had to make several little holes in a line to finally get the picture hanging in the right place.  The "hang and level" (h & l) doesn't eliminate all of that, but makes hanging frames so much easier.  On the bottom is one or two hooks to hang the picture from depending on the weight of the frame.  

Hold the "h & l" with one hand against the wall with the picture hanging on the hooks.  When it is in place, remove the frame and set it aside (a helper can be good for this, but not necessary)  keeping the "h & l" on the wall.  The hook, which has a point on the back of it, is pushed down to make a slight indentation in the wall where the nail should be placed.  Put the frame down, and nail in to the spot marked on the wall.

The point on the back to indicate the nail hole

After the frame is hung, the "h & l" also has a level on it to level out your picture.  When I moved into my new studio, I used this gadget to hang several frames.  It went very quickly, with little or no measuring, and the frames were lined up perfectly. I think I will be using the hang and level from now on to hang my work in my studio and in exhibitions. (BTW- this is a completely unsolicited endorsement of this product)

Buy local- art supplies?

My friend Melissa and I went to the Wayzegoose letterpress sale on Saturday morning to see what kind of goodies we could find.

Melissa bought a case of fonts to play with.  It was really heavy for her to carry it back to the car!

I saw Ray Tomasso at the sale with sheets of his hand made paper in bins for sale. He had been by my studio during Open Studios several times, and was always trying to get me to try his paper to print with.

 I was in need of some paper, so I bought forty sheets of a brown hand made paper.

It wasn't until I got home that I thought a little deeper about my paper purchase.  The buy local movement has been around for a few years now, encouraging people to support their local farmer's or small hometown stores over big box or warehouse retailers.  I shop this way as much as I can, but haven't considered buying local for art supplies.  Buying Ray's paper has so many benefits.  Not only does it support him, and his art of hand made paper but also encourages his recycling of materials that are incorporated into the paper.  Among the list of materials in the paper are grey pants, and a poncho.  How great is that?  After trying this paper in a new project, I may reconsider mail ordering my usual Rives BFK that comes all the way from France. 

I wonder how many other local materials could be used for art supplies- beeswax for encaustic artists is one.  My friend Laura Tyler is one artist I know that uses local beeswax.  Kristin Fitzgerrell uses recycled scrap wood in her work.  Can you think of other artists that use local materials or art materials that can be sourced locally?

A Wayzgoose this weekend

Interested in learning more about letterpress printing or want to buy your own press?  Then go to the WAYZGOOSE!!!! Printers’ Fair open to the public

The Rocky Mountain Letterpress Society and the Book Arts League are pleased to host a Letterpress/Book Arts Sale and Wayzgoose on July 9, 2011 at Ewing Farm.

This is an opportunity for local letterpress printers to buy and sell equipment, for the public to experience an old-time printers fair, and for everyone to see a vintage letterpress studio, exchange information and socialize with old friends and new.

DATE/TIME: Sat, July 9, 9:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: Ewing Farm, 1915 N 95th Street, Lafayette. Everyone, including sellers, please park on Prairie Ridge Drive across from the playground and take the gravel path to Ewing. See the map on the BAL website athttp://www.facebook.com/l/FAQBRnUtUAQCzL0C5FS8BTaNpt35Pxy4GsV_TBAn_H-UDFA/www.bookartsleague.org

Note that parking is prohibited on Larkspur Court, per our lease. Do not park on 95th St. either. (Important – the police have come by when people parked in these spots.)

COST: Event is free for public and buyers. $5 fee for sellers, who will bring small items only that can be put on tables; if larger items for sale, bring photos. Sales are strictly between sellers and buyer; BAL charges no commission and does not take responsibility.

The Book Arts League www.bookartsleague.org The Book Arts League exists to further the traditional and contemporary arts and crafts of printing,

Call for Entries; La Calaca International Print Exchange

The following is a repost from the Printmakingblog at Graphic Chemical by Dean Clark 

La Calaca Press and Expressions Graphics invite you to participate in the first LA CALACA PRESS International Print Exchange and Exhibition. This exchange is open to printmakers from the USA and abroad. The purpose of this exchange is to promote printmaking and create connection with artists around the world.

Requirements:

• Deadline date: Prints must be received by September 15, 2011

• Please RSVP by e-mail to: Carlos Barberena at calacapress@gmail.com

• Theme: “CALACAS” Day of the Dead / Open to your own interpretation.

• Media: Any traditional Printmaking process: Relief, Linocuts, Woodcuts, Intaglio, Lithography, Serigraphy, Collograph, etc. - NO DIGITAL PRINTS OR PHOTOCOPIES -

• Paper Size: 7 inches by 9 inches. Print/image size is open. *Please use any Archival Paper or Hand made Paper. (No Exception)

• Edition: 15 identical hand-pulled, original prints, include glassine sheets or tissue paper between each print, cut to match paper size.

•Each Print must be Signed and Numbered on the front.

• Fee: $15 US or $20 International paid via PayPal to:carlosbarberenadelarocha@gmail.com or a Check made out to: Carlos Barberena (Checks from US Banks only) This Fee covers the costs of postage and promotion of the project and Exhibits. *Fee is non-refundable.

• Exhibitions: The selected prints will be exhibited at Expressions Graphics in Oak Park, IL in Nov. 2011. * A Second exhibit will be at La Casa de los Tres Mundos in Nicaragua on Nov. 2nd, 2011.

• A Portfolio of 12 randomly selected prints will be mailed to each participant early November 2011. We will keep 3 Prints from each edition submitted to the exchange: 1 print will remain at Expressions Graphics and 2 at La Calaca Press for traveling exhibitions and promotional purposes.

• All prints submitted will be put in a web gallery and may be reproduced to promote this project. Please visithttp://calacapress.blogspot.com for more info.

• IMPORTANT: All prints must conform to the guidelines. Any prints that do not fit the guidelines will be returned to the artist. *Fee is not refundable.

• Please RSVP by e-mail to Carlos at calacapress@gmail.com and mail submission to:

Carlos Barberena

324 Washington Blvd.

Apt 3G Oak Park, IL, 60302

USA

Back to the Blog

It's been so long since I have posted and I have so much to tell you about.  The biggest news I have to share is that I moved my studio from Wilderness Place to north Boulder at Broadway and Yarmouth on June 1st.  I now have a private studio with a little more room, and easier access for visitors and students. In the complex there are several other artists and creative businesses, and it is also in the NOBO art district which has first Friday art walks.

When I moved in, there was a garage door to access the studio, but was dark inside since I had only a small window

The door was replaced with glass to give the studio more light

Email me or stop by to see if I'm in for a visit. My new address is 4593 N Broadway #B102  Boulder, CO 80304 It's directly behind Boulder Horse and Rider, down the alley, and to the left.

Calling all woodcut artists!

Next year in Japan, there will be a woodblock/woodcut conference.  It is short notice, but there is a call for entries to exhibit at the conference.  I encourage everyone to apply!


          International Mokuhanga Conference in Japan 2011

OPEN INTERNATIONAL WOODBLOCK PRINT EXHIBITION 

Kyoto International Community House, June 8-12, 2011

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: December 18, 2010

Juried woodblock print exhibition open to international artists. All prints made in the waterbased mokuhanga tradition or with contemporary materials that reflect mokuhanga principles have priority. Also accepted are woodcuts with mixed techniques that carry some Japanese influence. Artists are requested to submit 1 work (or a set, in the case of a small series). Size of the paper should not exceed 80 x 60 cm (31” x 23”). JPEG images will be juried first. Submitted image should not exceed 1920 x1080 pixels, 72 dpi. Size limit is 1 MB. Submission is free.

Notification of acceptance: January 31, 2011

Deadline for receiving accepted artworks: April 30, 2011

Participation fee for those accepted:  6000 yen / 55 dollars / 50 euro

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Send your application form and JPEG image by e-mail to IMC2011 Office: office@mokuhanga.jp

or post it with a photo of your artwork to:  IMC2011 Tokyo Office, P.O. Box 2061, Otemachi, Ginza Branch, 100-8799 JAPAN

In case of regular mail, please make sure that it must be postmarked by the application deadline.

READ MORE INFORMATION AND GET THE ENTRY FORM AT:

http://www.mokuhanga.jp/en/exhibition/

Firefly Handmade Market this weekend!

I've been a busy elf making tea towels, cards and small prints for the Firefly Handmade Market this weekend.  Stop by to say hello, and buy some handmade gifts for yourself, and friends and family. My booth is number 42.  It will be a fun show!

Saturday's card workshop

I've been busy this week, but wanted to post some photos of the card workshop I held last Saturday in my studio. I had several returning students come to have cookies and cider while we laughed and made Christmas cards. We used linoleum instead of wood for faster and easier carving, and water based inks so they would dry in time for them to take them home. The cards came out great as you can see below.

Diana's snow flake in several colors

Kris's partridge

Larry's Madonna and child modeled after a Botticelli painting

Sabyl's trees printed on paper with little squares embedded in it

and without the squares

"Simone's"hand

and on a patterned paper

Susan's abstract head

I had a lot of fun organizing this workshop, and I think the students did too.  This will have to become an annual event.

Holiday Printmaking and Craft Workshop December 4th

Come to my studio on December 4th for a holiday print and craft workshop! Have fun making your own personalized holiday cards, wrapping paper, ribbons, and gift tags. Light refreshments, home made cookies, and snacks will also be provided. 

 

December 4th, 10 am - 1 pm

My studio; 2810 Wilderness Place Suite C Boulder 80302 303-819-1901

Limit of 8 people - if demand is high enough, another alternate day or evening may be scheduled

All levels welcome, no previous printmaking experience required, but helpful.  Mature children also welcome with an accompanied adult

$40 fee to be paid before event to secure enrollment. Send payment to address above

Fee includes: 

1 - 4" x 6" linoleum block or 1 - 4" x 6" speedy cut rubber block

Use of studio, equipment, and carving tools, supplies; ink, ink pads, paint, glitter, rubber stamp letters, glue, etc.

• Bring your own materials to print and decorate - Ex; Blank cards, card stock, plain ribbon, rolls sheets of plain wrapping paper (matte works better than shiny paper) brown kraft paper rolls, gift tags, etc. Come prepared with drawings or ideas for your projects.  The time will go by quickly!

2011 calendars now in my etsy store

I am excited to announce that my 2011 woodcut scroll calendars are now available in my etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Haberkorn  Stock up for gifts for the holidays, or one for yourself!

More monotypes

I posted previously about my new direction in doing monotypes during figure drawing at my studio on Tuesdays. They have been coming along nicely since my first experimentation with them. 

I almost scrapped this one, but pushed through and finished this drawing.  This model was great with his leather jacket and floppy hat.

This is the latest monotype from last week.  The model wore a great scarf which I ended up not putting in the drawing.  Both of them had medium length shaggy hair!

Tomorrow will be another drawing session.  I look forward to experimenting more with monotype and figure drawing.  I have some ideas that I want to try with the ghost print.

Last class at the Art Students League

Last night was the final class that I taught at the Art Students League in Denver.  The students there made some really great prints.

Denise was very ambitious with a multiple block print of her garden shed. Here is the first color in amber

The second color was in dark brown

The third block had two colors.  A light green on top, and a darker green on the bottom 

The fourth block was printed in red

The fifth and last color was printed in grey.  We scrambled up to the last few minutes of class to finish printing this image.  This print turned out so well, don't you think? 

This is Amy's two color woodcut of a lava flow in Hawaii

Lorna did this woodcut in a single color, and chine colle'd pieces of paper down for the topiaries and planter

This print of a gecko by Lorna has chine colle pieces of paper for the colors under the print

This was a two block, three color print of the gecko

Tony Ortega was also in my class, and I can't believe I didn't photograph his woodcut of a chihuahua! Sorry Tony, it was fun having you in the class. 

Woodcut Class with Lifelong Learning

Last night was the last night of a six week workshop with the Lifelong Learning program. I had a wonderful group of students that made me laugh, while they made some great prints. I will miss spending my Wednesday nights with them.

Candi's tortuga

and her Virgin printed on to wood

and another Virgin printed on to wood. I had Candi paint the wood block with inks like a white line print. The wood block was painted, and then printed on to wood instead of paper

the tortuga and feather printed together

the feather and the Virgin on red paper

Candi hiding behind her feather print

Cathy's first wood cut print

The first color of Cathy's second multiple block print

Second color

Two prints with the last color.  Cathy adjusted the color on the right print to pop a little more than the one on the left

Ella did a great wolf woodcut

Linda carving her woodblock

I had the students on the last class experiment with chine' colle.  Linda cut pieces of paper to fit her woodblock cut shapes, and painted pva glue on the back.  When they are placed glue side up on to the inked block, a clean sheet of paper is placed down.  The whole thing is glued and printed at once.  Everyone had fun playing with this method.  You can see how many variations Linda got with one wood block!

Sheeri's glass eye-she kept telling me the name of it, and I forget what it's called..

Rachel may have been the most prolific student in the class.  She made lots of prints!

Rachel's wood blocks and prints

and her ship

and her tree.  I thought this wood make a great t-shirt design

and some of her cards.  Wouldn't you love to get one of these cards?

This was a great group of students.  Tonight I will finish my class at the League, and will post their prints tomorrow