Book Arts Display - See it Soon!

The fabulous Rachel Armstrong, who works with the Sheppard and MacNamara Galleries on campus, generously allowed me to display my book and box making skills in the Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Sneek peek!

In addition to several books and boxes there are letterpress and relief printed works on display.

Wednesday, May 23rd this will be coming down, so if you're in Reno stop by the JCSU to see what I've been doing.

Sketching for Calacas

My submission for the Calacas print exchange is due at the end of this month. I'm deciding what methods I'd like to use for my print. Intaglio is unarguably my favorite printing method right now, but I worry that a plexiglass intaglio plate wouldn't have the resilience to print an edition of at least 12. Nevertheless I've been doing some sketching.

These complimentary color combinations are really juicing me up for a multi-color print. I may play around with multiple plate or a la poupie for this edition. Thanks to Vicki for her loan of fine-tip Sharpie brand markers! So bright and full of ink!

Print Exchanges!

My lovely Calaca print was created for the CALACAS Exchange, curated by the wonderful Carlos Barbarena of La Calaca Press. It was one of the best exchanges to which I've submitted and I am lucky enough to be working on another print for the second iteration of this exchange!

So much fun!

 Last year I signed up for Maria Arango Diener's City of the World wood block puzzle print project. I'm very excited to see that they have done printing and are getting ready to ship out the results! Taking part in opportunities like this are really rewarding artistically. Here is a peek of the blocks all arranged together.
UPDATE: Just got a notification that this print has shipped! Can't wait to see it in person.

Thanks so much for Maria's patience and willingness to collaborate!

I look forward to signing up for more exchanges this summer!
UPDATE: My package finally arrived! Five beautiful panels of relief prints from around the country. Thanks again to Maria for allowing me to participate. 

Southern Graphics Conference International: 2012

This year I was able to attend the seminal printmaking conference in the United States - the Southern Graphics Conference International. To attend one must be a member of the Conference which generously allows students to participate at reduced prices. The convention was held in New Orleans, Louisiana and ended last week. For five days printmakers from across the nation and the world met to discuss techniques, learn about new opportunities for education and employment, and discuss products with industry vendors. A unique opportunity to view and explore the art of others arrived in the Open Portfolio sessions. There were five hour-long sessions of about 100 artists during each session. Students, graduate students, post-grad printmakers, and professors or professional printmakers all participated in the open portfolio displaying a wide range of art.

I purchased a beautifully printed journal from the expressive Firecracker Press, art from several student printers, and was given some lovely samples by Hanco Ink and Arches Print Papers. My favorite experience from the conference was probably the open portfolios or the vendor and publisher fairs. I was able to meet and speak with a variety of people in different places professionally from students, masterprinters, professors, and publishers as well as those who were just invested in printmaking as a hobby or expression of work outside their professional careers.

The best part of the experience as a whole was traveling with the printmakers from Reno. As many people as we met we really had the best time hanging out with each other after the conference and other activities concluded for the day. Ashlea Clark was indispensable, the trip would not have come together without her organization, leadership, and fundraising abilities. Alana Berglund, Jesse Green, and Andy Gallian also attended.  Alana is responsible for my showing experience at the Sierra Tap House in Reno. Our teacher, Eunkang Koh, a current professor at the University of Nevada, Reno was also present and had several beautiful pieces showing in a couple of events through SGC. here recent work has included some fascinating book art prints.

My Portfolio Review at SGC 2012

There were two book exchanges in which I was asked to participate so I look forward to learning more about them and thinking about the books I might create. For now my book arts are on display at the University's Joe Crowley Student Union. They will be coming down at the end of this week.

Two part box now on display at the JCSU

Nevada Museum of Art: Second Saturday and Faculty Display

Join me today, Saturday March 10th, for the only day admission is free at the Nevada Museum of Art this month! Come see their beautiful exhibits and meet some of the E.L. Cord Museum School faculty, including myself. I will be demonstrating intaglio and relief techniques for my upcoming one-day workshops.

At the Nevada Museum of Art

Today, March, 10th

11am-1pm

160 West Liberty

Book Arts Solo Show

Currently working on a number of pieces that will be displayed in the Joe Crowley Student Union on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Going up next week will be a series of boxes and books as well as a number of prints all created by me! Only a few days until installation, so I am pushing my nose to the grindstone.

Special thanks to Katy Govan for the beautiful boxmaking workshop she allowed me to attend last week. Was able to use the most amazing bookcloth from Colophon Book Art Supply. Hoping to order some of that for my next series of art books.

a taste of my theme for the book arts display

Spring is Sprung

Can't tell you how excited I am to be attending the Southern Graphics Conference International in New Orleans, Louisiana in March.

The Sierra Tap House has also made my show a great experience, they are really considerate and supportive of the local artist here in Reno.

Coming up in just over a week is a show going up at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno - my alma mater. Not only prints but some of my book art creations will be on display. Keep up to date on this and other projects by checking the Happenings tab.

Did I mention that I have a couple of classes coming up? Check the Nevada Museum of Art's website to find out about their current Tiffany's Glass exhibit and sign up for either my Intaglio or Relief printmaking classes.