print + press month 6!

can you believe that Abby and I have just completed month 6?
man, time really flies.
I really like this months pair, because it says alot about summer in my mind-
bicycles, sunshine, and fun designs. find it in our shop, and also in person at abby's
summer sale next month.
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I have learned alot during this collaboration, mostly about how I work. When it comes to printing my portion, it usually doesn't actually match the sketch I have sent to Abby. It changes in little ways. I apologize to her for that, but usually it ends up being something that I am way more satisfied with in the end. Once I get in the studio, and start printing, it sometimes takes on a life
of its own. It just comes together in a way I couldn't have planned previously. I like that. It becomes something instinctual, and I play around with layers and colors.
D and I have had many discussions lately about art and experimentation, leading to me thinking alot about how I create, and what my process is. I have felt very stuck lately creative-wise, and also life-wise. Getting back into the studio the last couple weeks has gotten me back on track in a small way. I still have my doubts, but when I'm in there, working away, I am so in the moment. And I am so happy, even just to try things. Even if they don't work out or look great, I have tried. I have learned that you just have to see what happens when you are making things, because some new thing might appear. Because of all this thinking, and some previous interest of mine, I am going to be starting a new project based on process. It won't debut until fall, but I am excited about it. It involves other people too, and that is so important. Life is so good when it includes other people.

sneak peek of june's print + press

this one is pretty fun i thought.
summer themed and all.
stay tuned- it will debut on monday on our site.
hope your weekends are all well.

my weekend

my weekend was summer-ific. It included bike rides, a picnic after a hike,
a bbq, the farmers market, and homemade ice cream. perfect.

anna hepler

thanks to the new issue of lines + shapes coming out, (i love having the subscription
this year! ) i learned about Anna Hepler, who is yet another inspiration
when I think of the direction in printmaking I would like to go.
The above project is amazing! carving floors, and making prints out of them before
the building is demolished? such a great way to commemorate a school. wow.
can't wait for my issue eight of L & S to come in the mail.
mail days are great!

oh printmaking

(photo courtesy of christie ginanni)

you sure have captured my heart over these years.
it all started because of susan lowdermilk, and keeps going with letterpress,
and beyond. I feel so nostalgic about those first monotypes, and it simply amazes me
what people come up with in all of the printmaking mediums.
maybe i really do need to pursue you for the rest of my life, in order
to understand why i enjoy you so much. alright, i'm going to put my wishes out
into the interweb- this is what i would like to do:
+ BFA at U of O in printmaking (yes, I have a BA already, but I need this one year
'intensive' in order to immerse myself again in printmaking, and to get my portfolio complete
and current. plus there are some amazing art historians teaching there on things like
malevich, and history of posters...)
+ MFA at Columbia College in Book and Paper Arts- they have an amazing studio space
and print lab. my thesis would include some element of installation.
i have wanted this plan for so long, i just don't know how financially it is feasible. It is so
hard to go back to being a student after not being one for a while.
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what do you readers think? should i do it? what do i have to lose, right?
i am a little intimidated.

paper girl berlin coming to portland!

check it all out here. get involved!

trying to figure out life

recently, i have found myself trying to figure out how my life will pan out.
i know that is a big understatement, because i won't really know if it will work out that way anyways. BUT i'm trying to figure out which direction to go. I have the opportunity to
pursue training, potentially paid for, in a growing field, or I could pursue my printing career in other ways. I think I want to teach eventually, but i'm hesitant. I guess I'm scared to pursue something wholeheartedly. and even then, I'm not sure if its what I want to do.
The whole thing that isn't helping in all this, is that I have too much time on my hands to
debate about it. I want to make some money, but by choosing that direction, I feel that I
may be turning my back on something else. But, I could save up some money during it to
fund future projects. What do you all think?

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in other news, I think I want one of these in navy. perfect 'worker' wear.

i think summer is here

Summer is making itself known here in the northwest,
and it is lovely. Every year, I forget about the sweating, the
pink skin, and the warmth. But every year I have to remind myself
to really enjoy it, because I will be yearning for it again very soon.
We had some friends over for a barbecue on Sunday, and it was a perfect addition
to the start of summer. we are also working on plans for a camping trip. hooray!
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tomorrow is haircut day- i'm getting it short.
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enjoy the warmth!