| College students around the country will soon pack up their dorm rooms and head out into the real world. As they reluctantly part with their treasured collections of concert posters, vodka ads, and the occasional "Hang In There!" kitten poster, we here at Printsy wanted to do something special to help these new grads get settled in their new digs. Today's Who's Printsy features fantastic artists whose work is very affordable and will give a post-college apartment a colorful, classy, and personal touch. (Of course, even for those of us who are long past college, this is the perfect time to buy some great new prints and give your walls a fresh coat of awesome!) | |
 | Relief Print - Transcending Ladder by boundstaffpress |
 | Woodcut - The Guitarist by mandymayl |
 | Woodblock Print - Mediterranean gecko by fustian |
 | Drypoint Etching - Nude and Octopus by mmcullen |
 | Old Town - Original Intaglio Print by MadRiverStudio |
 | Lovey Cat - Modern Black Cat by kerrybeary |
 | Moonlit Monitor Barn - Vermont - a hand pulled linocut by studio27 |
 | BEAVER loose linocut block print by annasee |
 | San Francisco Calavera Gocco Serigraph by MisNopalesArt |
 | The Lantern Blue by strawcastle |
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Who's Printsy This Week - Graduation Edition
Monday, May 3, 2010
Printsy Blog in Top 50 Bloglist!
Congratulations, ladies & gentlemen printmakers of Printsy! We've been appointed one of "50 Incredibly Inspiring Printmaking Blogs" in their "Group Printmaking Blogs" category. Check it out!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Printsy Interview - Ben Kafton
Etsy: delaflamant.etsy.comFlickr: flickr.com/benkafton
Brief Bio
Ben Kafton is 20 years old and has taken a few college courses here and there. Most of his work combines color and graphic design elements including architecture, diagrams, and quite a bit of photography motifs. He currently lives in Northern Utah in a small rural town.
How did you get started in printmaking?
When I was about 5 years old both of my parents owned a printshop for a few years and they had an old letterpress that I was fond of. My father has been an offset printer for over 20 years, so it seems I have always had a love for paper and printing.
My personal start with printmaking came after a friend of mine in high school began screen printing, and I decided it was something I wanted to get into. Between learning from my friend I taught myself everything else by reading instructional books and watching various videos.
Describe where you work.
I currently work outside of my bedroom. I have built in cabinets with an added counter top. The counter doubles as a place to draw and design from as well as laying out all the paper and inks to create my prints.
What's your favourite printmaking process?I have only tried linocuts and screen printing. Currently it is definitely screen printing, but would really like to learn other methods of the printmaking process.
What's your creative process for any given print? (eg. sketch first? Pre-planned or free-form?)
Almost everything is pre-planned with a sketch but I am also one who likes to experiment. At any given time, I usually have quite a few screens lying around that still have an image exposed in it. I will take that screen and a few others and just free hand a unique composition of some kind.
What do you enjoy most about printmaking?
I like how much of a solid color you can produce really quickly with just a swipe of ink. I like being able to produce the same image over and over, but still able to switch things up and add various things to each print to make each piece original. I really enjoy mixing inks and coming up with a interesting color pattern. Lastly, I enjoy how therapeutic it can be when printing and pulling the squeegee across over and over.
What's your least favorite part of the process?It is definitely cleaning up, and washing the screens out!
What are your inspirations (other artists, people, places, events, etc.)?
I have quite a few inspirations. Lately I have been drawn to graphic design artwork found in old 1940 - 1960’s Art magazines namely Graphis as well as West Vaco Inspiration for Printers. In addition, I am very fond of gig posters that other artists have screen printed for a variety of different shows, I love looking at typography and its use in a given composition.
How has your work changed and evolved since you started?
At first I would just draw things and screen print them for no rhyme or reason. Now I like to draw things, decide whether I should keep it or not. If I end up keeping the drawing I will usually draw it again, and make it a lot more interesting and add more elements.
How do you get past creative slumps?Lately I have not had as many creative slumps as it were. I have read quite a few things about productivity and creativity. One thing that has stuck with me has been to try and create a routine of some kind each day where I will draw or design something at a particular time. With that being said though there is still quite a bit of spontaneity in my work.
To answer the question though, I have quite a few art books that I will take a look at, go for a walk and take a few photographs or watch an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”
How do you promote your work?
Mainly just through Etsy, but I try to add things daily on Flickr. I have also been to a few art and craft fairs. I am planning on selling my artwork at various events this year including Renegade Craft Fair. Other than that, I also screen print t-shirts and wear my designs almost on a daily basis.
Any other comments or advice for others who want to try making hand-pulled prints?For me personally it is the single greatest thing that I have ever learned to do. If you have an itch to try, definitely try it out. Take a class and learn, learn, learn and then create away!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Who's Printsy This Week
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Printsy Interview - Kelly O'Keefe
Blog: http://crumbsbutter.blogspot.com/
Etsy: kelokeefe.etsy.com
Brief bio:
Born in Plattsburg, New York in 1969, I moved to Northern California in 1976. and have called Berkeley home since 2002. I have a BA in English and Sociology from U.C. Davis. I have been cutting and pasting paper and words since my journalism days in high school and college. I discovered screen printing in 2008 and am thrilled by the possibilities of the medium.
My fondness for screen printing stems from being able to readily see the hand of the artist in the end result. Each print is unique with it’s variation in image placement, ink color and background. The story told by the piece can be altered by making small adjustments during the printmaking process. Ink splatters and image over lays only add to the quirkiness of the piece.
How did you get started in printmaking?
I took a screen printing class at Richmond Arts Center and was so taken with the process that I became instantly obsessed with screen printing. My teacher, Thilde Weems, has provided endless support, instruction and encouragement.
Describe where you work:
I have a micro-studio in my house where I print along with a darkroom for my exposure unit. It is a cramped space but I love being able to work at home whenever the urge strikes. I make a huge mess-- the wash out sink is in the laundry room so that room looks like a crime scene with drips and splatters on every surface.
What is your favorite printmaking process?
Old fashioned screen printing using a photo emulsion process and printing on paper.
What's your creative process?
I start with a rough sketch or a blocky collage of the image and refine the layers from there as I decide which portion can stand alone in the print.
I don't work digitally so it is pens, paper and rubylith!
What is your favorite part of the process?
I love the moment, post-burning, where the emulsion is being rinsed out of the screen and the image starts to peek out from the screen. The printing possibilities are just surfacing and all is new and fresh!
What is your least favorite part of the process?
I hate when I go one step too far- meaning that I keep adding layers to a print when I should leave it alone!
What are your inspirations (other artists, people, places, events, etc.)?
I am turned on by old junk, wrecked stuff and all matter of garbage. I usually hit on a composition and then make choices based on the possible overlaps of images within the composition. So much of my printing process is trial and error and then an "Aha" moment hits and I fall in love with the artwork.
How has your work changed and evolved since you started?
I seem to be slipping from an old-timey vibe into a more "street" or tough spirit. We'll see how it goes. Folks don't seem to respond as readily to the more mod stuff but I'm loving it!
How do you get past creative slumps?
I don't dwell on the down periods because they always lift and I am off and running again! Usually a little day trip somewhere cures the dry spell. I live in Berkeley so there is always something great happening that puts the spark back in my head.
How do you promote your work?
I use the internet, my blog and local venues for my promotional stuff. My New Year's resolution is to do more in that department.
Any other comments or advice for others who want to try making hand-pulled prints?
Jump in--the water's fine!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Who's Printsy This Week
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Printsy Interview - Cassie Bouton
Etsy: thehouseofbouton.etsy.comBlog: thehouseofbouton.blogspot.com
Brief Bio
I was formally trained as a Printmaker, I earned my BFA from the University of Southern Maine. I live and work in Portland, Maine.
I assist my husband with his contracting business, so when I am not laying tile or installing kitchens, I am in my home studio, making art!
How did you get started in printmaking?
High school art class.
Describe where you work.
I work in my small home studio/office. I utilize all my wall and ceiling space with drying lines. I built a custom work table out of a counter top and 2 microwave carts.
What's your favourite printmaking process?
Intaglio. Alas it is not a process one can do easily at home.
What's your creative process for any given print? (eg. sketch first? Pre-planned or free-form?)
I pre-plan all my designs, eventually carbon transferring them to the matrix when I am satisfied with it.
What do you enjoy most about printmaking?
I like the accessibility, the idea that fine art can be made available to everyone. I like anything that transcends class, I think I might be a socialist.
What's your least favorite part of the process?
Running out of ink, because it is so expensive!
What are your inspirations (other artists, people, places, events, etc.)?
I have a soft spot for Andy Warhol. Anything antique or kitchen related. My Mom is an artist, my Dad sold antiques and my Great Aunt was the first 'Betty Crocker'. When you look at my work this all makes perfect sense.
How has your work changed and evolved since you started?
My work changed a lot through college, it was all about finding my voice and my niche. Since I graduated it has become much more authentic.
How do you get past creative slumps?
My high school art teacher always told me "The key to creativity is continuity." I have never found anything to be as true.
How do you promote your work?
Blog, ETSY, Facebook, business Cards, through my day job. I am going to start approaching galleries and shop owners soon.
Any other comments or advice for others who want to try making hand-pulled prints?
You can do it! I use a rolling pin!
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