Great Shows in Reno

"For Your Eyes Only" at the NMA

If you weren't able to attend the panels and discussions lead at the Nevada Museum of Art last Saturday then you missed a quick but well informed day of book arts, small press publication, and networking with local letterpress, printmaking, and art professionals. The show exhibiting some of the book art from the University of Nevada, Reno's special collections archive is still on display. Special collections at the University was curated by Bob Blesse of the Black Rock Press for nearly thirty years. Titled "For Your Eyes Only" this exhibit includes outstanding examples of artist books and book arts by local creators, including Professor Eunkang Koh, as well as nationally recognized book creators. This will be up through the end of the week and I highly recommend taking a look. These books run the gambit of structure, content, and image. A lovely little example of book arts.

"Undercurrents" by Bovey Lee

 Also at the Nevada Museum of Art is a collection of works by paper cut artist of Bovey Lee. Titled "Undercurrents" there are many intricate images carved in paper and beautifully suspended. If you've never had a chance to see this kind of paper cutting before this is a great time to go. Some of Lee's images depict slice-of-life scenes made majestic by the material, other images are ethereal and intriguing in subject matter alone.

"The Fox with the Golden Fur" Ultra Chocolates

If you like paper cuts get a load of The Fox with the Golden Fur. Seen through the G+ account of Lisa Cheney-Jorgensen, from whom I'll be taking a book arts workshop later this October.

This is chocolate packaging.

There are several different paper cut scenes for the different chocolates that come in a small package of chocolate. Each scene narrates a different moment of the story. I'm stunned, honestly, not just the effort but the precision of this project is exact and very impressive. I love the concept of the chocolate telling a story as it's unwrapped. Also, did you realize that each chocolate looks like a little story book? I'm in heaven over here.

While I'm here, let me tell you about the next show!

Tell me which paper cut piece you liked, ask about which of the panels I attended last weekend, or just drink and enjoy the fabulous Sierra Tap House. It'll be a great time and costumes are encouraged. This is all printed work by the Inkheads and is our third Halloween show as a group - last year almost 200 people came to Dickerson Road - we always rock the haus.

Sierra Tap House (Downtown Reno - West St.)
Thursday, October 25th 7-9pm

Print Day with Friends

Sam pulling a print from "Madonna"

Many people have the time and money to devote hours and expense to their favorite hobbies. Viki LoSasso is one of those enthusiasts who does her best to keep up-to-date equipment and supplies for some of her favorite activities, one of which is printmaking. Her beautiful Ettan etching press is in need of occasional exercise and so every once in awhile she invites a few friends to take "Madonna" for a spin.

Sarah keeping things clean!

After a lovely day of printing we had a delicious meal accompanied by a very appropriate vintage. Good times were had by all!

Excellent stuff!

After a Brisk Retreat

Long has this blog lain fallow. Languishing in the time I've spent on things less deserving, this site has twiddled it's thumbs and passed the time as any lonely html code may. Luckily I've begun to dust off my tomes and treasures so back into her lungs will I be breathing fresh air! And from this kiss of life I hope to find many new and wonderful creations.

Very soon I'll be meeting once more with my friends to print. Our group seldom meets more than once a month and I have pictures and stories of our last gathering. For now, however, I'd like to highlight the beauteous work of one Marina Terauds.

etching by Marina Terauds

First I saw her work connected to a book exposition, the Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair, to be visited by the Corcoran College of Art and Design in the eastern United States. Here etchings have beautiful movements, deliberate focus, and are beautifully wiped. Seeing her images has re-kindled some of my own desire to etch!

Coming soon will be photos of my group's last meet up.

Getting By

My apologies for the lack of updates this summer. I've been busy at my full-time job and haven't made nearly enough time for my art. I get by with a little help from my friends, particularly Candace Nicol who is still teaching small size classes - I'm registered for a great "visiting artist" book arts class in October at her studio - and Vicki LoSasso who generously allows myself and a few friends to visit her lovely Madonna, a 26" Ettan etching press, once in a blue moon.

Coming soon are images of our last adventure in printmaking with Vicki, Sarah, and Sam!

La Calacas Press Print Exchange

Very excited to be accepted for the second La Calaca Press International Print Exchange, curated by Carlos Barberena. Despite a mishap or two the generous Senor Barberena accepted my edition! See the list of accepted artists here at the Press' blog. Sneak peek pictures will be here soon.

My next exchange isn't due until August - the Green Door Studios IPE 2012 - but in the mean time I have the artisan craft show with Indie Reno, my Etsy team, on Sunday, June 24th. Just printed a bunch of posters to get the word out about this and look forward to making things for the fair. It will be at the Holland Project space in Reno and looks to be lots of fun!

Calaca Riendo sneaks a peek at you!

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.

Sneak 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!