Prudence and Patience

I'm slowly getting started on a new series of prints about two little girls and their adventures, called Prudence and Patience, presumably their names. Here's a test print of a plate that will be the border for most (or all) of the prints, which will be mostly wood cuts and engravings. The images will be similar to the Heavens to Betsy series, and will include captions, but I'm ready to really focus on my engraving skills, no matter how daunting.

While these girls are off having adventures, here are some peeks at the homelife of Jessica:

the start of a new moss garden and my new strawberry patch.

Linotype University VI

My head is swimming with all the information I learned from Linotype University, even though I could only make it for 3 short days (the entire workshop lasts for 7 days). We worked mainly on 3 Merganthaler Model 31 Linotypes, but we also learned how to cast type with a Ludlow, how to cast new composition rollers, and finally printed our cast type on a few various presses. I had a great time and will put this new knowledge to work at the Homestead Historic Print Shop, at least until it gets too cold to work in the barn. While I sort through all this information, you can see the photos here.


Linotype University is held each fall in Denmark, Iowa, at the Working Linotype Museum. I highly recommend it.

If you're not sure what a linotype is or how one works, Metal Type has posted this instructional documentary filmed in 1960 (shown in two parts).

While you're at my Picasa site, you're welcome to browse other albums ("Studio at the Vine" has photos of my new Kelsey 5x8).

Website update

Finally, after dragging my feet on this project all summer, the Heroes & Criminals Press website is updated! Along with minor changes to the "Shop", Links", and "About" pages, I've added lots more to the gallery pages, including recent posters, prints, and bindings. I even included my most recent project, a box covered with the paper from a hornets' nest, completed while at Penland.


I have a few events coming up this fall: I'll be showing work at the Soap Opera during Iowa City's October Gallery Walk, and I'm participating in a Crafts Fair in November at Home Ec Workshop. I'll post more details very soon!

We have finished the 2008 edition of the Homestead Rocket at the Historic Homestead Printshop in the Amana Colonies, so stop by and pick one up while it's hot off the press! The print shop will be open every Saturday from 10am - 4pm until the end of September.

Penland detox

After a few days back from Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, I'm finally starting to feel like my normal self again. I had an incredible time working as Julie Leonard's assistant in a boxmaking class for Session 5, both exhilarating and exhausting. Every day was packed with so much activity, each night was spent chatting with new friends over wine as if entire weeks had passed. I also got the opportunity to show one of my Bad Sparrow scrolls at the current exhibit at the Penland Gallery, "Is that Supposed to be Funny? Wit, sarcasm, and humor in craft" It's up until September 21, so stop by if you're in the area. Because the entire scroll couldn't be shown in the gallery space, I made a little codex 'touchable' version which turned out to be a big hit. So, I am now starting on an edition of those which should be available later this fall.


If you haven't been to Penland yet, I highly recommend it. Just be prepared for some intense work and intense play. Oh, and the food is delicious. Go here if you want to see my photos.

Stopped in Asheville on my way home and visited Blue Barnhouse press where I picked up these sweet little cards.

Updates

I've finally gotten around to updating my website, Heroes and Criminals Press. The gallery is still mostly older work, but at least the other links are useful (well, they are to me). I'll try to update the gallery images by the end of the summer, but just thinking about it makes me tired.

I've discovered what might be my new favorite color scheme:
These lovely eggs from the farmers' market were just so beautiful to look at. Too bad they're all eaten now.


This Saturday I will be:
but without the fancy threads. I'll be printing at the Homestead Historic Print Shop from 10am-4pm, come by and visit!

(thanks to BookNews for providing the photo)