Jona8than Green Art and Other Things

I have recently acquired an etching press. So recent that it's not even on my property yet. But will be very soon, through some combination of rigging, three young men power, and a possible me pushing a press down the main street in my town.

It came to me through the great Michael of St. Michael's Printshop, whom forwarded me an email from a woman looking to unload a press. She wanted it out of a building she was selling and wanted to see if they wanted it, if not then the scrap yard with it. So fee taking.The amazing part of it is that is in my hometown, where I am currently splitting my time between.

It is even more to my amazement that only a two months ago I had heard that a friend of mine had recently received a free for taking press with other paraphernalia. My GF C had said “Maybe one day I would get a free press” to which I had my doubts.

Yet now I have a press. From some research and a quick email to Perry Tymeson, press engineer and of Suitcase Press, turns out to be a early model Praga, perhaps pre production. Late 60's early 70's. Established in 1963, Praga was based in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Good quality press but the company folded sometime in 2005 or 6. It is about 2ft wide approx. The bed looks to be 18" x 36".

There is some rust on the cylinders, little on the sides and the inside of the big wheel. But it spins smoothly as do the cylinders. The bed is in good condition, some rust on the bottom. Going to take some sanding and polishing to get in ship shape. But besides that I think that is all that needs to be done, a bit of lube here or there, probably a paint job on the wheel and base. Definitive putting some casters on the base for easier transportation.

I have put some thought to customizing it. Paint wise at the max. Maybe a red stand and wheel? That mint green I like so much? Purple? Too pop? Maybe a dark blue, metallic? Thought about spinners like on car wheels, or getting some kind of steering wheel grip for it. Pimp it.

Perhaps there is something wrong with me. It would be fly tho.

Going to be a long term project. Storing it next door in my aunt's garage. Might be a bit cold working on metal in the next few months. I'm excited about it even though I know it will be a while before I can set up my own shop. I got one of the biggest pieces to start with when I do.

Dark green?

It's been an O.K. week for me. Just getting a need to go off radar again for a while

Print wise, I have successfully etched my plates. Started printing my biggest plate, let's call the "ship" plate. Using colour again, I know, exciting! Nice green colour, it glows. Props to John McD for helping me there. I'll get a pic tomorrow I think. So that print is on to the B.A.T stage, now editioning.

Got two more prints to complete before Christmas, and would like to get my lithograph started soon. It's an intense image, well, not intense, but a technical image. Might be better if I practice over xmas, on my figure drawing. Might be a nice Christmas project for me. I have a bunch of anatomny books at home as wll, as well as a dad who sleeps a lot and a brother.

I'm doing well at the shop though. I have gotten some fine praise from Scott Goudie, and Gerry Squires knows my dedication. Was asked about a project by him, but beyond my experience right now. Would love to assist on that tho. Be so good for me.

Been working at the call centre thse past few nights. Trying to get a last few dollars out before Christmas. I hope I win the christmas raffle tomorrow at work, they have a big basket of booze for raffle. Be effing sweet. Only bought one ticket, but one is all thats needed to win. Work ends Friday or Thursday perhaps, a little up in the air.

Mike, the director gave me a little job of printing for this guy. He has some small lino cuts done by some kids, and needed them printed. Mike gave it to me; Might only be a few twenties, but really generous of him. I owe these people so much.

Going out Thursday night, yes, I should be working...sigh...sabatoge? A friend asked me to go to a show with her. Be nice to do something.

Was going to write something really introspective tongiht, least had thoughts...maybe another night.

I just proofed a new plate, it has an aquatint on it along with hard ground and soft ground etching. Warmed it up [very cold here], inked up swell, blotted the paper well, and printed it. And the cursed, trice cursed blanket either has a depression in it or water from someone printing earlier. And so there is a large white spot on my print. I could see a ton of ink still on the plate. Just this big blot on the paper, where there was no contact.

I hate that.

The sides printed beautifully, those areas were rich in blacks and my soft ground came out. Not totally noticeable due to an aquatint being overlaid; it gave a detail that otherwise wouldn't be there.

A former professor told me I could get some good ones, from England, and if I just used them for myself, they'd last for 25+ years. Would only be 600 dollars or such. So...

Maybe I have to move to the bigger press. Another artist is editioning this week anyway, so the small press will be pretty much booked.

It's a bigger plate, 18" x 12 1/2", so on smaller plates and non aquatint plates, the blot wouldn't come out.
I still have a litho stone waiting for a drawing as well. Haven't drawn on or printed a stone in a while. Maybe do some sketching tonight for an idea.

Groceries are needed as well.

It's snowing out this morning. Well, snowing and raining at the same time. Very sloppy out. I drudged to the printshop at 11, having to lift my pants up like a nun with her habit. The asian variety store was out of cans of pop. I bought a bottle, plastic, which, for some reason does not sit well with me.

It's cold in the office here, more than previous days. I work at 2pm. At the call centre. Working on my aquatint till then. This one is a different, I'm kinda experimenting, hoping for an effect, that might not happen.

It feels like I've slowed down a bit. I have been gone though like last week. I suppose I must consider that.

My work, the body of work I've been making...can I call it birthing? I have been in labour with it. I wonder about it. Looking at the whole of it. Really wonder how this body will look once on the walls. It seems so disjointed at times, the veins are thick in some places, in other pieces, mere capillaries. Some times it feels I'm giving too much away, in other, not so.
Am I achieving the poetic?

I had a good couple of days in the shop. Working on two...three...four? new plates.
It's cold here tonight however. I have a plate to proof, but my hands feel too cold to do it. As wonderful as St. Michael's is, it could do to be a little more cozier. Old building. I know all the reasons why it isn't warm; but still. It just could do to be a little warmer, some nicer chairs for my back. Hahaha. Basically, I could do a little overhaul on the shop.

Another reason for my not proofing my plate tonight is I'm so tired. Well, not tired. I'm crashing. I just had my first meal a half an hour ago; chicken nuggets. My coke fix could only keep me going for so long. Now I just want to sleep.

There is a staff party tonight for the Call Centre I work for tonight. I should go to it. Free drinks and finger food. I've worked there a total of 1 week. All nights. That's not really a reason however for not going. I just feel it'll be awkward to go. I am allowed to bring a guest. I don't have a guest. Not sure if feeling the socializing and making polite chitchat conversation with people tonight. Not sure if I could. Might be a few hot girls there. I'm growing a bad moustahce however.

Yes, I should shave. But I have to see if I can do it. Just for the photo opportunities.

So lame

So my belief that my interview with the Banff Centre was horrible, may have been a little unfounded; or perhaps it was horrible but the other candidates were worse, for I got the position. Yes, I will be the next Visual Arts Studio Work Study person this coming April till November. Very jacked about that. I found out Saturday morning, finally checking my email since Tuesday while at my friends house in Port Au Port. Turns out they had been trying to call me, but having phone problems. So yeah, going to Banff.

I was out on the West Coast of Newfoundland for the West Coast Craft Fair. I went to assist with the St. Michael's Printshop Booth. We were there from Wednesday [after the 8 hour drive of course] and drove back yesterday. I had a rad time bumping in to people, and hanging with the best friends. There was some drinks, and pizza, and just great relaxing moments. Talked about grad school with some of my professors, and was positive, but Banff will come first now.

Just had a really good time, and showed some people my new prints. Even had a little talk with a class. Showed them my work, and told them about what I have been doing. Mentioned the Don Wright Scholarship a lot as well, hopefully it will inspire some more applicants this year.

Aimed at using some of the time over in Corner Brook as some sketching time for my art, but that didn't come about. Which is fine, I did other wonderful things. Just got to work on some new pieces. I got a litho stone there just waiting for a drawing, and a lot of plates to edition. Just got to get to work.

Figured since I have mentioned putting up work before, and showed some work in Corner Brook, then perhaps it is about time I put some up now. [Notice that my photography skills are horrible.] The works have titles and all that, but they're written down somewhere and not in the mood to type them. They're all aquatint, drypoint, etching combinations. Zinc plates.










I have a lot more. And want more for my show in April. April is looking to be a good month, with having my art show and then off to Banff for the work study. I am still worried about surviving to April. The winter months are hard. Was hard getting back at my work today as well, been away a week from it, or more, because of new job. Been thinking on typography lately, and incorporating text and word into works. Most of my work is drawn from that, but it isn't acknowledged so much.

I just ate two doughnuts. All I ate today. I know one day my body will fail me, because I fail my body. I wonder if it will be soon.

I finally picked up my money from Bianca's yesterday. Wasn't as awkward as I thought, was quick and out. Enough to pay my bills, well, not all of them, the apartment bills. Save a little to get by on.
I had an interview for a call centre today, that seemed to go well. Then I had an interview for a big arts centre in say..Western Canada, that could of went better. Fucked that up. I fuck up everything good for me. Sometimes I redeem myself. I always have to redeem myself. Only sometimes do I do it.

I helped set up the St. Michael's Booth at the Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Council Fair today, after the interviews. The craft fair looks good, a lot of interesting booth and work there. People put so much work in to their booths and presentation, and it reflects so well. St. Michael's looks really nice. A print of mine is for sale there. Looks swell matted. All the money goes towards the shop, so a good cause.

I finished an edition yesterday, of a bigger intaglio print. Just a little less than half a plate. That was good. Used colour for first time in a long while, as well as tried out some Fabrianano Tielpolo paper. Went really well.

I wish sometimes I could get it all together. I take time, drag my feet a little. I think I'm doing fine though, just self doubt is a mind killer.

"He was waiting for some impulse, from he knew not where, to put his stopped life into motion again. " Jack London, Martin Eden

stolen from D, for she always reads better books than I. More enjoyable. I'm here reading Zizek, a Hegelian Lacanian philosopher who seems to think he can write about anything and does. And it titillates me to no good end in a way. Cept I never do it right, I never build up to these guys like philosophy students. I just heaves into it, picking one and ignoring the rest. I`m the same with my art history, I know a lot bout modernity but I`ll be damned if I could name a Corot painting. I skip movements and decades of arts with no even a side glance, banishing them to obsecurity in my mind.

I printed yesterday and realized my aquatint was superb, unlike my worry. The blanket on the other hand needed a spruce up due to printing a thousand small plates in the same spot. I later found it it just needs to be laundered, and thus should be restored. It`s a good image, should print well when I get my good inks come in.

The Erotic Show was yesterday at the Leyton Gallery. It was a good first start for that type here in the city. Some really interesting stuff, some expected stuff for an erotic show. Kent Jones was there in attendance, had some great drawings and we chatted. Told me about the blankets.
He later took Craig and I out to supper at Mexicali Rosa`s, and it was nice. Only wish I could entertain him as he entertains me with his stories.

Came back here after, though was not a lot to do last night. Eventually went home for a few drinks with C, was a bit of a gathering there by my roommates. Was okay, had some late night discussions with C.


``And no, you shouldnt have to wonder if the whole scene makes my cock hard.``
J.T.H

His words always seem like they speak true to me. Closest thing that Newfoundland will ever get to a Bukowski, and to that, maybe he falls a little short. But who cares. Only me in my idolizing. It`s just funny when you look back in hindsight and the divergent paths that happen. I could have a skin of red leather, eyes always in squint and hands that could polish pans. Its not too hard to imagine seeing the town, seeing the lines in the family. Seeing the lines in an uncle`s face.
Would just been another in a history of haulers and workhorses, with maybe a knack to get down on paper what I see.
Yet I`m not. I don`t know if those moments were decided by me, or decided my the parents, or who the fuck. It just never happened. I've only rode on a quad once, first time on the ocean was in Nova Scotia, and that's that; a hangashore most certainly. An outsider for a long time now, and it don't seem to be changing.

"If I were dressing you for Halloween, I would be inclined to draw on the inspiration of those old fairy tales that feature the theme of restoration: like the prince who, because of a curse, has lived for years as a frog, only to be returned to his rightful body and role through the kiss of a merciful soul;..."
Rob Brezsny, Free Will Astrology

So I am depressed, not too hard to figure out. I made a choice to focus on my art, to be at the print shop all the time. I've spurned social contacts and activities to be at my work, I've did this purposely; wanting to show that I am an artist, to prove people wrong. Some people wondered if I was going to waste the scholarship, just take off, etc. Maybe some even though I didn't deserve it. Spite is a motivation, just as much as wanting to be successful. I wanted to show people up, and show people my mettle.

It wears on one though, and thus I feel depressed.
1) Could be the season, that does happen in this transition periods.
2) Could be the shitty job I'm working at as a dishwasher [ yes, I'm lucky to have a job, but damn, lumpen proletariat doesn't inspire happiness].
3)Economics has always been tied to my moods, but it will take some psychotherapy sessions and a financial consultant to figure those problems out. Sometimes I yearn for my friends, or somebody, to go out. Then I realize I have 5 dollas to my name, and going out is not an option.
4) I have lived with my best friends for four years together, always had a girlfriend close by. Now, everything is spread apart, missing. The girl I started seeing has decided not to see me, not that it was going well, but thats gone. I swear if I didn't have the guys at the shop to talk to, be worse off again.

I try to blame it on the art, but it isn't that. The art is going well, making some great prints and exploring interesting themes. My descison to ignore people over my art, well, maybe that should of been more balanced. I wanted to be the hermit, the dedicated artist, wanted that aura about me. I fall for myths as much as anyone.
However I feel slightly overwhelmed by all these issues, I'm down, and as much as I do" being down" well, I need to get out of this. I need my swagger back. Just how? I still want to pursue my art, dislike it when I can't. That's truth there. I don't want to work some shitty job, but I know saying that is riduculous, better artists than I have done so. So many variables as listed above, though relieving one would help I'm sure.

I have been up to a bit in six weeks, crossed the island twice, trip to Corner Brook, trip to Englee for Thanksgiving. Three weeks of unemployment where I made a nice bit of art. The art making is on a good pace, like to increase it. Seen another artist who worked at the show, made more prints than I have in this time period. To paraphrase Larry Rivers, jealousy is as legitimate a form of motivation as anything else.

Working on some etchings and lithographs mostly, been wanting to draw and paint at times. Get around to it eventually. I have started a side project; a chapbook with a friend. Would like to work on a series of painting based on imagery from MMA and UFC fighters, the dynamicism and action would make great paintings I think. Would tie in to my interest male sexuality and issues, along with interest in violence.

That's it for now.

That's what the article was called in Art on Paper magazine. I picked it up today at chapters, running into an artist I've met here in St. Johns, we discussed art as we meandered around the store. He admits to being very much a formalist, so was interesting discussion.

The article, was kinda fun to read in some of the entries; Terrance Koh seems to manifest himself in the same manner as he does his art- a bit of coke. Some others were interesting, how some of the same doubts affect I'm having still find themselves in artists of semi-establishment. I have been thinking a lot on my career as an artist, or least my start of a career. These questions seem to be getting round, my bro-bot, is experiencing similar issues on what to do with himself. Might just be the plight of a generation really.
So what do I do with myself, I'm finding out that I'm not terribly good at administrative tasks from working at Eastern Edge. It is a good learning experience there, and very appreciative for it. My problem with it I just don't know how to excel in the situation or environment. Getting a lot of sponsorships and donations seem to be one way. But to me it seem that some of it is just luck of the draw, you get responsive people and other times you don't. There doesn't seem to be a method of leading there, is there any way of leading in administrative tasks besides just doing your work promptly and on time? There does seem to be a large amount of adminstration in the art world, so one does have to get better at it.
The job ends in September, and I really don't know what I'm doing. I might score some Joe Job, which from what I'm seeing is the best I can hope for. That will be minimum wage, and will suck. I can't afford to live on just minimum wage. There might be an opportunity in Grenfell in October at the gallery there, but then that will be for quite a few months and I would be leaving my bro-bot in a lurch along with leaving on the Don Wight Scholarship at St. Michael's. The opportunity at Grenfell would be decent dollars. Yet leaving St. Michael's would be wasting good time at the shop making art. Assuming my Joe Job gave me enough time to do so. The opportunity might not even arise, so should shut up about it.

I am applying for the NLAC grants in September, working on the grant proposal; that would be the Shed project. I'm ordering some inks Monday with some people at the shop in preparation for the print and drawing project I'm working on. Reading about the John Franklin Expedition for the North West Passage today. I, as said before got to start work on that soon, yet in defense I find the literature really exciting. Though in terms of concept it seems to be approaching the "About 1865" project that Tony Scherman worked on. He did a series of encaustic paintings based on the events of the American Civil War. Beautiful paintings, though not positive on the conceptual perimeters. Anything as a starting point perhaps?

I finished my editon Saturday, dated them, and signed them. Still have yet to get a picture, but will soon.

Always act fool fool, looking slightly uncool cool.

Been a quick week, lots of goings on at Eastern Edge Gallery, getting ready for the 24 hour art marathon. Like it when we're busy. Got a really good team there. I do wonder if I'm getting enough vitamins however, because i am so tired after work. Probably been eating healthier than I have ever. Maybe the heat?

Still working on my editioning of my etching, up to nine or ten, need two more I think. Then I have to print my litho. Get that over with. I have some new ideas to get on to. Wish I had some assistants sometimes, gotten a lot of ideas lately just not enough time to get them all done. Got to remember I got the rest of my life, been told that the weekend. Got to keep it in mind.

There has been a visiting artist from Ireland this month at St. Michael's, Gemma Anderson, and she did a workshop this weekend. It was on line etching and doing multpile colours on a plate. She also showed us how to smoke a plate using a flame on a hard ground. Great old fashion pintmaking technique, not used very much anymore. I was the assistant during the workshop, which was good. Got to participate in etching a plate as well; a small 4" x6" zinc plate. I proofed it today, decided it needed a little more work.
There was a little reception afterwards for work of Gemmas and her partner Sam Douglas had in the St. Michaels gallery. Was fun, met some new people, little drink, was good. The old Jonathan was back briefly, schmoozing.haha.

The plans for this week is to finish the edition of my etching. There is also the matter of the lithograph, which should take 3 or 4 hours. I have three other etchings that I should print as well. Trying to overestimate myself here, there is always my perchance for laziness or being tired. Hopefully a litho stone will be grained as well.

Despite all this work, it has been a confusing time. Lots of thoughts on what to do for the future, what goals do I have, what should be my new dreams be, do I have any new dreams? I have ideas for new bodies of work, but thats about it. No new job options or plans for September. I looked at school again, even looked at getting a trade lik welding or carpentry. Thought I could apply it to art in the future and I could. However it is really just a comfort thing- go back to school-safe there and in the familar learning environment- not dealing with the real world yet. As I said above, i'm just acting a fool. Don't even know if I should stay in St. Johns or not, I feel I shouldn't, but why? I wouldn't be able to answer you. Can I live in the moment? Just enjoyin the floating about. Why do I have to set a course so early?

I jut want to be a baller...

I wish I was feelin like a pimp, but over wiped my plate tonight. Not too happy about that Should of done it in good light, instead of acting a fool in the dark. Just haven't been thinking straight. End up wasting a piece of paper. It always comes down to the economics. Got to keep my mind sharp, can't be looking a chump to people.

Keep feeling like i got to reinvigorate myself, change some habits; learning and thinking a lot this summer, new perspective on a lot of things. Especially the art scene. Least here.

This caught my eye recently, The World's Smallest Art Fair. It's a neat idea, a simple concept but wors.

A update of my whereabouts lately:

Been workin at Easter Edge Gallery, trying to get the 24H.A.M up and on the roll.

Printing when I can get off my lazy arse at St. Michael's Printshop. Currently in the process of editioning an etching, one of my rocket images. Not sure what the edition number will be, 13 or 15 seems a good number, currently on number 5.
I've had a lithograph hanging round as well, needing to be printed. Got to get that it printed soon, so I can get on to another one. Have a few ideas churning. The edition number will that will probably be the same as above.
Been currently debating the idea of editioning as well. Not sure if I like the justification of it. Editioning is for primarily economic concerns really, all goes back to it, ensuring its limited and rare, can ask for more money. So really unsure if I agree with it, goes againest some marxist tendacies of mine.

Drawing as well, some rockets and a new project. The new project deals with using the history and imagery of the North Pole Explorers. Manliplating history, maps, imagery, text, etc to reflect my own personal exploration. Inspired by Jane Urqharts book "The Underpainter", a quote found in it.

Besides that, I have another project in mind, which I will be writing a NLAC proposal for. Hopefully I get it, would be really swell. Probably will be hammering out the idea a bit on here. Send it to my homies, get their opinion on it.

Also reading Terry Eagleton's "After Theory", which is a realy interesting read. That will be followed by some Zizek.

Outside of that, I do waste a lot of time napping like a fiend in the heat, watching Seinfeld, surfing the internet way too long. Like now. Identified that I have a addiction to caffine, particularly coke. Got headaches from now having it all day.

Anyway, that's it.

To describe my materials in one word, the word would be "simple". The materials are chosen for their simplicity, and the small sensuality that I enjoy in them.

My drawings are graphite or charcoal on paper; usually graphite for the smoothness of the line, and the shine of the graphite. Charcoal is never forgotten though, the mat black is used sparingly. I always stick to black or grey tones, there is no colour in my media choice. The support has so far always been paper, a few in particular, but I do go through a range. I prefer smooth paper, I find it works best with my adding and subtracting, and usually whites, sometimes BFK cream or grey if feeling especially jolly. That is the extent though, I like the purity of black marks on white. The starkness perhaps.
The drawings are usually large, least a full sheet of paper, sometimes multiple sheets connected, or a large sheet; the expanse of space is enjoyed. I work in an additive/subtractive method, of using the eraser as a drawing tool as much as the pencil.

The paintings are on stretched canvas, though wood is not ruled out. Gessoed, sanded, and toned. Oil paint is what I use, with other media sometimes used like pencil, oil stick, spray paint. I would not call myself a mixed media painter though, does not seem a need to make that distinction. The palette range is very different than my drawings, the palette seems endless, pastel to neon to earths and darks. I am unsure of the distinction between the drawings and painting in terms of colour range as of yet.
The painting do start off usually as a sketch, drawn and redrawn till it feels right compositionally. Then it is drawn on the canvas, freehand, the grid doe not hold any appeal to me. Then light washes, undercoats and darks are applied, sometimes glazed, usually alla prima; due to time constraints.I have been introducing other mark making ways in to my painting, but still always feels like an oil painting to me.

The intaglio etchings are of an average size to myself, though some may consider them large. They are similar to the drawing in that there is an absence of colour, and the support is white, again that starkness. Created either on zinc or copper plate, not a big difference to me except in some technical factors.
They are created using the full range of intaglio techniques, and while printmaking is definitely more process based, they do not differ to me too much from my drawings. They seem of the same sort.

The subject matter, sources and influence, need some more time to digest.
Write some more later.