27 September 2013

Waitakere Printers Exhibition, 3-6Oct, West Auckland

The Waitakere Printers group that meet monthly at Corban Estate Arts Centre 
is having their annual exhibition in the Old Barrel Store at CEAC in Henderson, West Auckland. 

Opening night is on Thursday 3 October from 5:30pm 
The exhibition is only on for 3 days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) 
so make sure you don't miss it!

This opening night is also the opening night for the Trusts Awards 
which is also held at Corbans, so there would be lots to come & see that night.


Featuring works by Ruby Oakley, Alicia Poultney, Lorraine Vickery,
Val Cuthbert, Lynn Bryant, Toni Hartill, Dianne Charraz, 
Jacqui Madelin and Tracey Singer.
Artworks will be for sale.

22 September 2013

Jean Loomis, 27Sept-28Oct, Hamilton

Possession, a series of 12 framed screenprints by Jean Loomis
is on at Artspost Galleries in Hamilton from 27 September to 28 October
Focusing on Te Kuri, Young Nick's Head and the events that have taken place since Cook's visit.

Jean Loomis, from the series Possession
Screenprint


18 September 2013

Workshops & Open Days at LakeHouse, Takapuna

If you live in or near Auckland, mark these dates in your diaries
for LakeHouse Workshops and Open Days:

 Saturday 12 October 
WORKSHOP 1: Collagraph for Children 
with Erinna Law (one day workshop)

Sunday 13 October
OPEN DAY - Heritage Day at The Lake House 
The Studio will be OPEN all day, 
with demonstrations, displays and an exhibition of work by members


Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October
WORKSHOP 2:  Drypoint 
with Ellen Reimannn-Filby and Celia Walker (two day workshop)

Saturday 2 November 
WORKSHOP 3: Beginners Solarplate 
with Susan Hurrell-Fieldes (one day workshop)

Sunday 3 November
OPEN DAY
Open to visits by other printmakers


All workshops to be booked through the LakeHouse Office
37 Fred Thomas Drive, Barry’s Point Reserve, Takapuna
Office hours: Monday-Friday 9.30am-4pm
Phone: (09) 486 4877

15 September 2013

Studio Visit: GTO Printers

Yesterday I visited Graham Judd at GTO Printers, a small specialist printing company
situated in Birkenhead, on the North Shore of Auckland.

GTO offer unique print capabilities not found in many other printing businesses,
such as traditional letterpress and thermographic printing.
Saturday isn't a usual work day for Graham,
however, about once a month Graham offers a workshop in letterpress at GTO.

Graham Judd, the owner, trained as a letterpress machinist, then retrained on offset.
He started GTO Printers about 20 years ago, and is the General Manager,
yet you can see his passion and enthusiasm for the craft of printing.

Graham show a student how to match ink colours:
select the PMS swatch that you want to mix,
make the recipe using the %s by weight
(this requires having the correct ink colours,
but is a good general guideline regardless) 

GTO Printers have 4 Adana 8x5 printing machines
which are ideal for printing cards and invitations
- a great tabletop model for a small studio

In the morning students explore Graham's eclectic collection
of lead and wood type and ornaments
to print a range of experiments and practice inking

Here's an unusual find in Graham's collection:
a vintage font with separate outline and fill sorts
(I've not seen these sorts before)

During the afternoon session, workshop participants
can produce a set of personal cards of their own design

Graham's Albion (recently returned from being loaned to the local library).
This students print had an uneven result (one side heavy, other side light),
so Graham showed us how to level the pressing height
by placing a piece of type under each corner and tightening the bolts. 

...a basic cylinder press for proofing...
I love how the paper is registered
using the clip from a clipboard - Genius!
I'll have to remember that one.

Much of GTO's commercial letterpress work is done on the Heidelberg 10x15 platen

Graham holds a poster by Tara McLeod,
showing that letterpress is also great for large works

A sample of a card made by Kim
from Passion For Paper

Kim's card used fluorescent red ink
with thermographic powder
to create the raised metallic gold sheen.
I'd never seen this process done in person,
so that was a great learning experience for me too!

Graham has a collection of videos in YouTube which show the processes.
If you are interested, you can see them here:
click here to see GTO Printers' YouTube Channel

If you're interested in doing a letterpress workshop
I think Graham has a Christmas card workshop planned for November.
Or get a group of 4 people and see if you can book your own lesson?
Click here to see GTO's website for more details about the workshops,
or Email Graham or phone 09 480 0218

Alternative Printmaking Videos

In NZ we love inventive ideas.
This weekend I found a few videos that show some new ways to print without a press,
I thought I'd share with you because it look like a lot of fun:



Also, check out this video of a 'Lego Printer':
I wonder if I can build one for my office?


If you have any suggestions for interesting videos about printmaking
then please comment below with the link.

13 September 2013

Product: SolarFast (Light-Sensitive Dye)

Jacquard Products in USA just released a new product called SolarFast in August. 
It’s an easy-to-use, light-sensitive dye that can be applied to fabric or paper
to create photograms, continuous tone photographs, shadow prints, etc.



This would be a great product for textiles and for teaching,
as images can be exposed directly onto the paper/wood/fabric
without the need to print through a screen.
Great for those who want textile prints without access to equipment,
or for workshops with children and artists!

As the product has only just been released a month ago in USA,
I haven't been able to find suppliers yet 
but I'll keep you informed and perhaps we can play with it here in NZ soon.
Check out these ultra-cheesey promo videos that show you how it works:



I can't wait to get my hands on some to make some prints!
Any of you interested??



COLOR CHART - SolarFast
100 Golden Yellow104 Red108 Teal112 Brown
101 Orange105 Violet109 Green113 Black
102 Burnt Orange106 Purple110 Avocado
103 Scarlet107 Blue111 Sepia

12 September 2013

Lino Cut Awards 2013: Winners

The Lino Cut Awards 2013 (based in Australia) have just announced some winners,
so thought I'd post them here for you to take a look...

Winner of the 2013 Silk Cut Award Open Section GRAND PRIZE:
Rew Hanks, "Stop. There's No Need To Shoot The Natives", 2013
Linocut, 75x105cm

 2013 Silk Cut Award Open Section Acquisition Prize:
Antonietta Covino-Beehre, Ricord/Souvenir Project: I Want Your Heart, 2012
Relief linocut onto 3 plywood panels, 84x240cm

2013 Silk Cut Award Open Section Acquisition Prize:
David Fraser,Waiting for Rain, 2013
Linocut, 139x98cm 

 2013 Silk Cut Award Open Section Acquisition Prize:
Helen Mueller, Anaphia (Detail), 2013
Linocut & embossing (unbound book), 19x18x15cm

2013 Silk Cut Award Tertiary Student Section Winner
David Rosengrave (RMIT University, VIC), Isolation II, 2013
Linocut, 59.5x44 cm

2013 Silk Cut Award Student Section Winners:
Years 5 & 6 Group Work (Carisbrook Primary School, Vic)
Preserved Treasures, 2013
Linocut, 270x120cm

2013 Silk Cut Award Student Section Winners:
Timothy Gruner (Year 5, Billanook Primary School)
The Lost Boy, 2013
Linocut, 15.5x15cm

See www.silkcutlino.com for more information.


Specialist Print Auction, 22 Sept, Auckland

International Art Centre is holding its first specialist auction of 204 prints.
The auction is at 1pm on Sunday 22 September 

Viewing times for the prints is:
Wednesday 18 - Friday 20 September 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 21 September 11am-3:00pm
Sunday 22 September 10:00am - 12:00 noon 

Prints for sale by the following artists:
Peter Siddell, Michael Smither, Robin White, Don Binney, Max Gimblett, Dick Frizzell, 
Jeffrey Harris, Nigel Brown, Stanley Palmer, Gary Tricker, Martin Popperwell, Jenny Dolezel,
 Denys Watkins, Henry Szydlowski, Tom & Fassett Burnett, Cynthia Taylor, Paratene Matchitt,
Grahame Sydney, Rodney Fumpston, Pat Hanly, Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, 
Louise Henderson, E Mervyn Taylor, Felix Kelly, Roy Dalgarno, Trevor Moffitt, John Weeks,
Juliet Peter, John Pule, Fatu Feu'u, George Chance Photos, G F Angus, C F Goldie, Fred Schell, 
Charles Heaphy, Bernard Aris, John Gully, Trevor Lloyd, Picasso and Matisse

I know you all love printmaking (across a broad variety of process & styles, old/new, etc)
so will appreciate the wide range of techniques, sizes & prices up that are available at this event.
There are too many images to put them all here on the blog,
but here are a few just to whet your appetite: 

Fatu Feu'u, Ole Mama Mea, 2009
Screeprint, 36x40cm, edition of 15, signed, inscribed & dated 2009

Dick Frizzell, Mickey to Tiki (Reversed), 2012
Screenprint, 69.5x100cm, signed, inscribed & dated, edition of 500

Charles Frederick Goldie, A Good Joke
Chromolithograph print, 56x76cm, machine signed, inscribed & dated 1905

Pat Hanly, Untitled, 1995
Screenprint, 51x72cm, edition of 101, signed & dated
Claudia Pond Eyley, Anawhata Cabbage Tree
Screenprint, 56x76cm, edition of 78, signed & inscribed

Pablo Picasso, Illustrations for La Celestine (plate 25 2.6.68), 1971
Sugar aquatint, 10x7cm, edition of 350

Henri Matisse, La Tristesse du Roi, 1952
Lithograph, 75x120cm, signed & dated

for the full catalogue of images and information
for all 204 prints being auctioned.

11 September 2013

Michel Tuffery and Simon Kaan, 11Sept-19Oct, Wellington

Solander Works on Paper in Wellington is hosting 2 exhibitions
by NZ Print artists Michel Tuffery and Simon Kaan.
The opening function is tonight Wednesday 11 September from 5.30-7pm
and the exhibitions will be open to the public until 19 October.

Michel Tuffery: Te Fenua
Te Fenua coherently brings together three suites of works, 
each holding a narrative which recounts past and current Pacific history 
in a pictorial and contemporary manner. 
Tuffery responds further into the historical ‘first contact’ material 
recorded by the Tahitian ambassador Tupaia, 
the scientists and artists who ventured with Captain James Cook’s on his three epic voyages. 
Territorially his Ula suite of powerful woodblock prints references the residue across the Pacific
from the French nuclear testing in Mururoa 
and reflects on the position Aotearoa took by sending two navy frigates 
to protest against the testing at that time - 
of note 2013 represents 40 years since this occurred. 
Tuffery’s art has always been a vehicle enabling him to pose questions 
about colonialism, history, identity, ownership, place, family and legacy. 

Michel Tuffery, Self Portrait, 2012
hand-coloured etching, 30x40cm

Simon Kaan: New Works
Land, sea and sky dominate Simon Kaan’s works. 
The spaces are fragmented by floating, horizon lines, 
which create a sense of rhythm and movement – 
a rhythm Kaan says echoes that of the sea and the waves. 
Kaan is of Ngai Tahu, Chinese and European descent 
and, though the waka shape is distinctly Māori, 
Kaan says the boat as a vessel for the living and the dead is pretty much a universal symbol.
The waka-like shape brings to mind the curved edge of a wave 
as well as a celestial vessel carrying spirits from one world to the next. 
It is also a way for him to locate himself in the work.  

Simon Kaan, Untitled, 2013
intaglio woodcut, 30x30cm

10 September 2013

Jacob Milne, 14-26Sept, Auckland

Jacob Milne has an exhibition of recent stone lithographs 
at the Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence St, Devenport. 
Opening event is on 14 September at 3pm- 4:30pm.
The exhibition is on until 26 September.


Utopia born is a series of lithographs forming the archetype for two contained micro utopias. 
These lithographs construct a distinctive world view and philosophy
 comprised of a unique utopian society. 
They encompass a duality of existence; 
two worlds that exist together but in isolation from each other.

Jacob Milne, from the exhibition Utopia Born
Lithograph

08 September 2013

Kim Lowe, 13Sept-20Oct, Auckland

You are warmly invited to the opening of Kim Lowe's upcoming exhibition,
titled 'Mrs Chrysanthemum Patiently Waits...'
It is combined with 2 other exhibitions that explore hybrid Asian identity 
through painting, printmaking and ceramics.

The opening event is 6-8pm on Thursday 12 September.
The exhibition runs from 13 September to 20 October.


Kim Lowe is an artist and printmaker of New Zealand Chinese and Pakeha descent. 
Lowe’s latest exhibition features new works that allude to a fabricated family narrative 
based loosely on historical events and snippets of her family's mixed history. 

ARTIST TALK: KIM LOWE + SIMON KAAN 
Saturday 14 September, 10.30am - 12pm
Join Dunedin-based artist, Simon Kaan and Christchurch-based artist Kim Lowe 
as they discuss the relationship that being culture-hybrid has on their art. 
Lowe will also speak about how the 22/2/2011 Christchurch earthquake 
led to her involvement in the Sendai-Christchurch Art Exchange.

WORKSHOP: LANDSCAPES IN PRINTMAKING
Sat 14 & Sun 15 Sept, 10am – 4pm
This workshop focuses on landscapes as the subject matter for your own prints.
We will be working with single colour lino cuts and single colour dry point etching.
Using a special technique ‘Chin Colle’, we will add interest and colour to the finished prints.
Beginners to Intermediate skill level. Tutored by Ruby Oakley.
FEE: $105 (includes all materials)

See www.ceac.org.nz for more details.


06 September 2013

Job Vacancy: Administrator/Technician, Te Kowhai Print Trust, Whangarei

Te Kowhai Print Trust is seeking a part time technician and administrator 
for assisting in running an open access print studio. (Fine Art Printmaking)

The job would include the following duties (full Job Description here): 
Monitoring administrative projects, planning 
and coordinating workshops, hire, maintenance and operation of studio facilities. 

Job Context: 
The Te Kowhai Print Trust exists to add value to the local and wider community 
by promoting the education, technical advancement and teaching of Fine Art Printmaking 
  • providing an educational and workshop program 
  • providing an artists in residence program 
  • building and properly caring for the collection of priceless prints which are of historical importance to New Zealand 
  • providing our visitors with friendly high quality service and ensuring equitable access to all 
  • providing maximum community benefits from the resources at Te Kowhai Print Trust 


Administrator / Technician Job Duties:
  • Organise materials, processes and operation for printmaking open days 
  • Organise any printmaking workshops after the open days 
  • Audit of current equipment and tools 
  • Assist with archive restructure 
  • Plan studio space and requirements for working print studio 
  • Contributes to Te Kowhai Print Trust by accomplishing related results as needed
  • Liaison with Northland Craft Trust / Quarry Arts Centre 
  • Liaison with Board of Trustees 
  • Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies 

Skills/Qualifications: 
Administrative Writing Skills, Microsoft Office Skills, Managing Processes, 
Managing Workshops and Educational Programs, Verbal Communication,

This position is part time of approx 8-10 hours per week. 
It is by way of 6 month contract, which is renewable, funding dependant. 
We hope that this role would develop and the Print Trust could eventually offer more paid hours.

If you are a printmaker near Whangarei, and interested in this position,
 please apply with CV and covering letter by 17 September 2013.

05 September 2013

Why is Printmaking Still Relevant?

Recently on the Printeresting blog there was a post about Printmaking in education.
It got me thinking… a lot of thinking! Both questions and possibilities.

When & how did I first learn about Print? Why did I like it so much?
What is it about printmaking that is unique or interesting?
Is printmaking relevant? Why? What skills does printmaking offer?
If you teach, how has your school / institution wrestled with similar questions? 
What makes printmaking attractive as an area of study?

Honestly I could talk about this for days, 
as I think Print is an exciting, diverse, relevant and progressive medium.
Here's a few of my thoughts (loosely grouped),
but I'd love to hear what you think too!

Process:
manual engagement is a beneficial form of learning,
understanding and practising order of steps improves logical thinking, 
demonstrates safe use of materials & equipment,
it requires mastery of tools & techniques, repetition, develops craftsmanship, consistency,
discernment select from diverse range of mediums and applications,
selection of appropriate inks and substrates, 
develops time management skills, physical dexterity, enhance observation skills,
working within constraints/restrictions of the medium, 
practice quantifying materials and costs, respect for equipment and studio rules, 
project planning, creating saleable items to fund further production or education

Experimentation: 
problem-solving skills, immediacy of application and results (compared to painting/drawing),
ability to make unique prints, multiples and varied editions,
exploration use of colours, layers & transparency, texture, reproduction, uniqueness,
development of recipes for chemicals or colour-matching, testing and refining
physicality of ink and paper (compared to digital output), 
exploring interfaces with other disciplines (painting, books, 3D, installation, photography, 
design, fashion, graphics, culture, science, religion, marketing)

Communication: 
learn correct use of terminology specific to print,
develop skills in following instructions, understanding product info,
participate in discussions about technical issues, discern between styles and mediums,
interact with suppliers and colleagues, learning to work with other studio users, seeking feedback, 
interpretation of imagery, questioning, discussion, reflection of own practice, 
constructing meaning, position of practice, writing artist statements

Context:
discover and engage with both historic & contemporary contexts for print, 
social, cultural, artistic, intellectual property,
 local & international printmakers, acquiring knowledge, sourcing new information,
passing on traditional practices worth keeping enhances communal values

Technologies: 
adaptation of processes to suit outcome or limitations, being inventive, 
exploration of digital and analogue processes plus combinations of these,
collaboration with businesses to show industry-relevance and commercial possibilities, 
interface with future advancements in print innovations & adaptations


Please feel free to add your own comments below,
or head over to our NZ Printmakers Facebook page to discuss further:
When & how did you first learn about Print? Why do you like it so much?
What is it about printmaking that is unique or interesting?
Why is printmaking still relevant? 
What other skills or benefits does printmaking offer?


04 September 2013

Call for Entries: Arts Gold Awards 2013, by 20 September

Arts Gold Awards 2013
The Central Otago District Arts Trust is dedicated 
to promoting the understanding and appreciation of the arts. 
The aim of the Arts Gold Awards is to celebrate artists 
who are dedicated to creating innovative art with unique or challenging aesthetics 
and to present new and interesting work to our region 
that is socially conscious, contemplative and generates dialogue.


The winner of the Art Excellence Award will receive $5000 
and the Central Otago Artist Award winner will receive $2000. 
This year the judges are Cam McCracken, the Director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery 
and Felicity Milburn, curator from the Christchurch Art Gallery. 
On the opening night the judges will discuss the reasons for their choices when announcing the winners. 
 The subsequent Arts Gold Awards exhibition will run from the 26 October until 7 December.

The Arts Gold Awards are open to all New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
Entrants must be over 18 years of age as at 30th September 2013.
Entries must be the original unaided work of the entrant, 
executed within the last two years and not previously exhibited in Otago or Southland. 
Edition prints, photographs and video art must not have been exhibited anywhere before.
The artwork entered must not have won a prize in any other awards or competition.
Prints and digital prints must be original, not previously exhibited and clearly signed and numbered.
Limited edition prints must be signed and numbered 
otherwise please state: eg monotype, monoprint, artist proof, open edition, etc.
2D works entered must not exceed 1m wide x 1.5m high, including framing.
A non-refundable entry fee of $20 per artwork applies. 
Maximum of 3 entries per artist.
Entries close 4pm on 20/09/13. 


01 September 2013

Call for Entries: International Print Show 2013, Art at Wharepuke, by 1 October

Art at Wharepuke – Open Submission International Print Show 2013 
The 3rd biennial Art at Wharepuke International Open Submission Print Show 
will be held from 5 December 2013 to 19 January 2014.

The first Wharepuke Print Open, held in 2009,
attracted artists from USA, NZ, Australia and Europe
with the prize of a solo show being awarded jointly
to Danielle Creenaune (Spain) and Carsten Borck (Germany)
The 2nd Wharepuke Print Open in 2011/12 featured artists from 14 different countries
and was won by Jo Giddens from New Zealand.
Jo's show in November 2013 will precede the 3rd Wharepuke Print Open.

First prize:
Solo exhibition at Wharepuke in 2014/15 at time arranged to suit,
gallery representation and artists page on gallery website
  Representation may be offered to more than one artist.
All artists selected for the exhibition will receive a full colour catalogue.

The previous winner: Jo Giddens, Paradigm Shift

International Jurors for 2013/14:
Friedhard Kiekeben (USA): Artist/printmaker, pioneer of Non Toxic Printmaking
 Jimmy Pasakos (Australia): Artist, Fine Art Lecturer at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy
 Jo Giddens (NZ): winner 2nd Wharepuke International Open Print Show
 Laura Widmer (Canada): Printmaker Artist
 Ian Rastrick (UK): Director Ian Rastrick Fine Art

Entry Details:
Entry by 1 October 2013
Up to 3 entries of any original printmaking technique (no photographs or giclée reproductions)
Maximum paper size of A4 (29.5x21cm = 11½ x 8¼ ins). Image may be any size within this.

Entry Fee (Non refundable):
NZ resident: NZ$50 for up to 3 works (payable by Pay Pal, direct credit or cheque)  
International: NZ$70 for up to 3 works (payable by Pay Pal)
This covers return postage of your work and catalogue,
catalogue design and printing, admin and exhibition costs.

For more information, or to register, go to
http://www.art-in-newzealand.co.nz/artists_opportunities.html