Welcome to the all monochrome edition of "Who's Printsy"!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Printsy Interview - Mandy Laschon
Website: mandylaschon.com
Etsy: mandymayl.etsy.com
Brief Bio
Human culture is like folklore ever changing and ever forgotten, replaced by something newer and better or even just different. The forgotten, the replaced is what I find compelling; to dig up the past with its richness and understand its roots. Words, icons, and beliefs are just some of the ideas that hold such tradition from which to pull concepts that I relate.
I find myself listening to phrases very literally, in everyday conversation. As humans we have made metaphors into figures of speech. For one to say “ push the envelope” doesn’t mean to find an envelope and to push it; everyone knows that. By illustrating our creative forms of speech and phrases we shed new light on what the words mean. The idea of taking phrases literally has led me to seeing symbols or iconography literally, as well. The image of an animal or object can have many literal meanings, and even more captivating symbolic meanings. Through the years we have lost the symbolic meanings and in some cases gained new and different ones.
How did you get started in printmaking?
I went to college for a Fine Arts Degree but they didn't offer an emphasis in Drawing so I took a printmaking class and fell in love with it. My drawing/printmaking professor help me along my relationship with printmaking.
Describe where you work.
I work in an alcove of my home, a dormer window to be exact and it is a cozy creative place.
What's your favourite printmaking process?
I have a heart for intaglio, but it is easier for me to do linocuts at home.
What's your creative process for any given print? (eg. sketch first? Pre-planned or free-form?)
I listen to music or read, sometimes just a phrase pops into my head and the image grows from that.
What do you enjoy most about printmaking?
All the tedious time consuming processes.
What's your least favorite part of the process?
I know the least about lithography my master professor was a traditional printmaker.
What are your inspirations (other artists, people, places, events, etc.)?
All music, my Catholic faith, and books.
How has your work changed and evolved since you started?
I have since college read more about traditional printmaking and now my work in echoing a less contemporary look.
Recently I have spent some time as a missionary in Honduras. This beauty in the people's true true faith when they have nothing is amazing. This will shape my art in the future. The heart of the people that will give you everything when they have nothing. The hope they have when it truly seems hopeless. Maybe even the colors and images in thier art.
How do you get past creative slumps?
I draw little silly illustrations, and listen to more music
How do you promote your work?
I have a website, I use ETSY.com and I submit to art exhibitions and publications several times a year.
Any other comments or advice for others who want to try making hand-pulled prints?
Read all the old books in the library about printmaking they have the BEST advice.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Who's Printsy This Week
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Printsy Interview - Katherine Fahey
Etsy: 2hawks2fishes.etsy.comWebsites: katherinefahey.com, 2hawks2fishes.com
Flickr: flickr.com/photos/kathys_smile
Blog: 2hawks2fishes.blogspot.com
Brief Bio
I'm a Baltimore artist, originally from Virginia, where I grew up making maps with my father. I spend my time making work, doing commissions, and craft shows. When I'm not doing that I'm walking in the woods, hanging with my husband and cats, swimming, singing sacred harp, or playing my guitar.
How did you get started in printmaking?
I was doing some artwork for friends... cd covers and posters... and I realized it would be much easier if I could screen print.
Describe where you work.
My studio is on the top floor of an old row home in the heart of downtown Baltimore. The walls are covered with screen prints, posters, and cd art work of my own and friends who inspire me.
What's your favorite printmaking process?
I do a lot of layered work and combining screen printing with painting and stenciling.
What's your creative process for any given print? (eg. sketch first? Pre-planned or free-form?)
I generally sketch and often take photos. Then I piece it together by hand or, if it's design work, on the computer first.
What do you enjoy most about printmaking?
I like how it makes art more accessible to more people. I like how a poster can be encountered all round town or even around the country and someone can just take it. I enjoy being able to make affordable prints which are available to a wider audience. I love coming up with ideas, and collaboration with clients or other artists/designers.
What's your least favorite part of the process?
Probably the unhealthy products (how I feel after printing for a long time or washing out a bunch of screens) and having to stay inside for long periods of time.
What are your inspirations (other artists, people, places, events, etc.)?
Music, but mostly Baltimore Music, Poetry, Baltimore, of course, the creative energy and down to earth spirit of the place, nature (I walk in the forest a lot), other designers and artists.
How has your work changed and evolved since you started?
I actually studied sculpture originally. Then after school I was doing a lot of small collages since I was traveling around a lot. After I worked as a decorative painter for five years I started doing a lot of stenciling, which lead to teaching myself screen printing and block printing.
How do you get past creative slumps?
Working with other people always gets me excited again, the exchange of ideas... also going for walks always helps.
How do you promote your work?
My web sites, flickr, and a blog. It's important to have and online presence as well as stay involved locally with different events and projects. I feel really fortunate the local art and music scene is pretty close knit since Baltimore is a small city.
Any other comments or advice for others who want to try making hand-pulled prints?
Visit other printmakers' studios. Watch how they do it. You will learn more that way then from any class or book and get inspired watching another creative person at work.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Printsy Interviews in Review
Look at these great artists! Very inspiring, and worth reading about again:
Treasured! "Once Around the Block"
Thanks to kellyjcallahan for featuring a heap of our Printsy members on their treasury today:
Featured are:
meganaker
crscheffe
studioAK
YonderPrints
starkeyart
drenculture
GinaD
ploverwing
wingedlion
BirdNerd
RioSalidaArt
hawaiialoha
Featured are:meganaker
crscheffe
studioAK
YonderPrints
starkeyart
drenculture
GinaD
ploverwing
wingedlion
BirdNerd
RioSalidaArt
hawaiialoha
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Who's Printsy This Week
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