This past week, we started printing the first of four broadsides for our collaborative piece: What We're Made Of.  The imagery consists of various star charts designed in InDesign and printed from polymer plate, as well as linoleum cuts of drawings I have done to accompany the poetry. The poems were written by my friend Judith, and were inspired by NPR's Stardate series. The four prints will be housed in a portfolio case. Our goal is to print an edition of 25.

On our first day of printing, we successfully completed the imagery for two of the four broadside. I still have some imagery to complete and proof for the other two. Judith has been hard at work setting the type for the poems. All but one of them will be printed from metal type. One will be printed from a polymer plate because we do not have enough Lydian available in the studio. 

More images to come soon as we progress.

I've been working on a series of broadsides based on the ideas that I initially put forth in my thesis project. My thesis project was the result of months of research on the history of marriage in the United States. From that research, I started reflecting on the idea that we generally make decisions about our life based on the people that surround us. Most obvious is the fact that as children we wish to please our parents, guardians, or siblings. But when do we stop trying to please the people in our lives and begin making decisions based on our needs and wants. For some people, me in particular, I couldn't let go of the idea that I needed to please my parents/family. So the decisions I made were based on what I experienced in my upbringing. Raised as a catholic, I had certain ideas about how I should live and what was acceptable. These ideas, of course, were combined and influenced by the opinions and ideas set forth by those I loved (and still love). So what changes cause us, as individuals, to step back and make a drastic change or alter our belief system dramatically? For each of us this is different. For some, we never stop trying to please those around us, and for others, well, they may never have cared what anyone thought to begin with. 
This print is the first is a series. Right now I have two additional prints in progress. This piece is letterpress printed on a Vandercook Proofing Press using wood type and a reduction linoleum block (4 colors). Printed in April of 2015 at the Black Rock Press.

This past month I spent some time creating and printing the Proceed and Be Bold poster in order to promote our upcoming Mid-Month Movie Monday at UNR. Since we are screening a movie about Amos Kennedy, I figured it was most appropriate to create a poster inspired by his work. Be sure to check out Kennedy Prints and see his work.

I had a bit of printing help from my co-worker, Shoko. She is new to letterpress but wanted to help. So once I had things set up, she helped print. 

There were 8 press runs total on this print: light gray, yellow, yellow-orange, pink, rainbow roll, and black (three separate runs). 

If you are in the Reno area be sure to join us for the Mid-Month Movie Monday on March 23rd. 


Here are a few pictures of the printing in progress. 

I was asked to participate in The Holland Project's monthly Showprint. Showprint is an all-ages calendar produced in cooperation with the Black Rock Press. Generally, I meet with the folks at Holland at the Black Rock Press and assist in printing 200 copies. The calendar portion is laser printed and the linoleum is printed on a Vandercook. These prints/calendars are then distributed throughout the Reno area at local independent stores such as Sundance and Bibo Coffee for free. 

This month I was asked to be the featured artist. Here are a few pictures of the work in progress and the final printed version. Thanks to the folks at The Holland Project for thinking of me.

Yesterday I spent the entire day in the studio. I worked on this print (above) that is based on a traditional Eye Chart. The original Snellen Eye Chart was developed by a Dutch eye doctor Hermann Snellen in the 1860s. The chart is used to measure visual acuity. It has eleven lines of letters. The first line has one letter. Each line thereafter increases in number and decreases in size.

I used a quote by playwright, poet, and artist August Strindberg which reads, "There are poisons that blind you and poisons that open your eyes."