It’s been so long since I posted anything here that I’ll have to relearn everything.
To say things have been hectic here is an understatement. Alex has been back a couple more times to haul off more equipment and give me a few more square feet of space but of course I’ve managed to fill that space quickly. One of the big purchases was a huge Vandercook. It will take a 30 by 32 inch sheet! But it was one of the filthiest presses I’ve ever seen. I’ve slowly been cleaning it as I waited for the electricians to do some complicated (and I’m sure expensive) wiring. They finally finished and I was able to turn the press on and run the cylinder carriage down the bed. Christie, one of my apprentices, said it sounds like a tank and it does kinda rumble. Lots of work to do on it before I get it printing but I’m looking forward to printing really big posters.
Dana Moore, Penland program director, (I think some of you met her) and Julie Leonard, Penland board of directors member, bookbinder, and teacher at the University of Iowa, came down to Little Rock for a long weekend of R & R and printin’. Dana printed some cards and stuff to sell for the Mitchell County (that’s the county that Penland is in) Animal Rescue fundraiser and some stuff for herself. She’d never printed anything before. Julie assisted Dana and printed some type collages she’ll use to cover boxes. Lots of fun, beer, wine, good food and good conversation were had.
A couple of weeks later we were back at Penland for their annual fundraising auction. Lots of friends to visit with at the auction including Marisa, Sam and Kathy. We also bought a little art too. The auction did pretty well considering the economy. Sam put a copy of that portrait he did of me in the auction but I can’t seem to find out what it sold for, if anything.
Lately, my life has revolved around grass. No, not pot, hay! I’ve gone into the hay business. I’m almost a farmer. I bought a bunch of fancy hay equipment and am learning how to cut and bale hay. So far, I’ve made about 500 bales. What a lot of work! And I’m not stacking those bales by hand either, I’ve got machinery to do that. But I’m really starting to feel like a farmer now that I’m selling stuff. But, now my life involves the weather; I watch the Weather Channel all the time now. I plan my days by how much sunshine there’s gonna be.
Oh, and I’ve been printin’ too. Check your snail mail boxes. I’ve got a couple more projects in the works too. If you’re nice to me, I might send you copies.
Old grouch making sure Dana doesn't smash a finger.
Dana doing just fine on her own.
Julie at the Vandercook.
Julie and Lamarie making up a very complicated form.
Julie and Dana folding paper and having fun.
Watching deer after work.
The "tank."
A new sculpture, by Ken Baskin, we just installed at Cedar Glen.
Yay! So fun to see what you are up to. Sounds like your life is somewhat morphing into mine. (farm life+printing) Can't wait to see what comes flying out of that tank when it is printing. It is a beautiful machine.
ReplyDeleteI haven't printed on my C&P yet. It is still disassembled from the great move to the basement. I'll keep you updated though. I might need to make a special trip to Little Rock for a private lesson. Luckily my husband's uncle (by my surprise) spent years working on C&P presses at his dad's print shop, so I have someone to help me nearby.
Great pictures! Can't wait to get my hands on the tank. Big plans!
ReplyDeleteVery exciting stuff! i'm really nice too so you should definitely send me prints so i can hang them in my "shed" next to beths! are you doing the january letterpress residency at penland? just read about it and was wondering...
ReplyDeletekeep up the fun stuff! have you found me another job so i can come and print?? haha kidding. kind of.
Hi folks! Hope all is well. John, I received the awesome calendar in the mail and have been showing it off to the TAs and interns in the Publishing Lab. THANK YOU! It will go up in my office for all of the students to see.
ReplyDeleteThis summer I worked on two freelance book projects (Through the Pale Door by Brian Ray and Expecting Goodness edited by C. Michael Curtis), both for the Hub City Writers Project. All digital typesetting, of course. Believe it or not, I really miss setting type by hand. We're working on a few broadsides for visiting writers now, and I keep thinking how I would give anything for access to a press and cases of type instead of a Mac and laser printer.
And the tank! So cool! Can't wait to see what's in store.