Just printin and printin and doing it well

Posted by Jona8than | Labels: , , , , | Posted On Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 12:38 a.m.


The past week I helped take a part a printing press. Two printing presses to be exact. Helped fix a Vandercook letterpress as well. All under the guidance of the expert Perry Tymeson or as his card said "Press Engineer". From New Jersey, but been all over, Tymeson is one of the few people who specializes in taking apart Charles Brand presses amongst other ones. Over last week he went through step by step, myself and the other workstudy helping him as well as with the facilitator. It was quite the learning experience, learning how to properly take apart a press and put it back together, correcting it of any problems it had as well. Great for me as St. Michael's Printshop in Newfoundland has the same two etching presses as here at the Banff Centre. I am no print engineer from this, but I have learned how to maintain the press and troubleshoot some problems.

His visit, through talking with him and hearing stories he told us really rekindled my love of printmaking. I still want to make sculpture, but this lifestyle, this network of printers he knows, the community of it all; it sounds so nice. Just taking about the print scene in this place or that place, really made me want to make efforts back home in St. John's.

Other ideas of wanting to learn the craft of printmaking has come up again, to immerse ones self in the dedication of it. To be a master printer? Hmm, not sure on that, might be some good side work here and there, though first you have to get to that level. I would like to push my skill at my etchings.

I have been looking at woodworking because the history it has in my family, pop and great uncle being master carpenters. There is that tradition there. So I wanted to earn it, become good at something and be able to build things. I still want to build things [I hate shitty furniture from walmart and never want to buy it myself], but perhaps printmaking can be craft for me. To assist in my art. Not be entirely my art.

Some of this comes from inherent want to be great at something. Another part of it of wondering what to do after the Banff Centre. I'm only young, I know, but I come home in June. I have to find a way to survive, live, continue making stuff, nee to set myself up for things. I have a residency in September at St. Michael's, so some time there will help.

Perhaps I'm just rambling now. Here are some pictures from last week










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Scarred for life, they can't forget the cuts - Method Man

Posted by Jona8than | | Posted On Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 6:43 p.m.

Haven't wrote here in a long time. The usual from me. Never great with keeping in touch.

Instead of trying to catch up on the past few months, I think I rather just write of my current position. Which is sitting in my studio at The Banff Centre. Waiting for the refractory on my wax cast of a light bulb, it will eventually have the wax melted out and cast in bronze. A bronze lightbulb. It was intended for the ballast of a killick. Unsure if it will end up that way now. Going to slip cast a bunch of lightbulbs in porcelain and use them for the killick now I believe.

I have some other bronze pieces that I would like to do while here. I wonder if I will get them done or not. Always complications and delays. I would like to make a compass dial in bronze, but with its centre being of “North” orientation. A compass for the North Pole. I could make it in wood, but the significance of bronze seems better suited for it. Be a simple relief mould casting.

My wooden sextant is almost done, it has taken some time now and needs a few more little things to complete it. I have to complete the scope, do some more sanding and then stain it. It's not as big as I originally wanted, but it is sizeable. Could of been better made, but not bad for an amateur. It seems my work has been focused on items of anchoring and items of navigation. Holding and wanting to go somewhere. That seems about right.

I have a residency for September at St. Michael's Printshop. The ol'haunting grounds. I think it will be nice to get back there for a while, just churn out a bunch of etchings. Been aching for etchings lately. I have thought of putting in for a grant so I can do 2 months before my residency at St. Michael's – 3 months in total. That would be swell. I have to write a proposal soon. I have to pass in a final report even sooner.

Started a ship in a bottle, that is going slow. Haven't been spending as much time on it as I should. Hopefully will find some time to just work on it, when the sextant is out of the way.

You can see a theme emerging of course, a using and revisiting of nautical objects. I am unsure what the final outcome will be when it is done. As you have read, there are lot of things that will combine. Will try to write some more soon.

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Set my eyes on the prize

Posted by Jona8than | | Posted On Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 4:57 p.m.

I'm a bit of a state today. I had the intention of writing a lot here today, but due to a lapse of judgement last night - I am not quite there. This is going to be a mang.

The plan was to write up a set of goals that wanted to achieve in the next six months or a year. Nothing set in stone. Things move slowly sometimes.

1: I want to set up my own press, Deadweight Press. By setting up my own press, I mean I want to get a press - letterpress, etching, etc. But it is more than that as well, by attaining my own press I can work on projects with other artists and collaborators. I think that is the true aim of it, to be able to help publish and create projects with others. To be honest the physical press isn't essential for this, I can use any press at a print shop or some things may be done through commercial printers or print on demand. This may become tied up with a etsy store or a cafepress outlet. Undecided just yet on that aspect.

2: Related to above, I want to publish the comic that Paul Muller and I have worked on. It's only a few pages and maybe people will not like it, but it's one of those things I need to get out there.

3: Apply for some artist residencies. This is one of the best things I can go after, in that you get to make art and travel at the same time. I need to organize myself so that it becomes part of my routine as well as having a few projects around that I can use to apply for different ones.

4: Organize and curate some art shows. Not huge affairs, but just little shows of art that might not get a chance to be seen very often. I have thought of a skateboard show for some of my friends, along with different ones.

5: Apply for shows in artist run centres. Try to get gallery representation beyond St. John's.

6: Find a way to keep an income after I leave the Banff Centre. I need an occupation that will give me time to make art and keep me afloat.

I'll add things to this off and on during the coming days.
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You ain't got to know my name, check the blood, sweat & tears For years, ya'all know I bang

Posted by Jona8than | Labels: , | Posted On Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 2:37 a.m.

Some days all I need is Wu Tang.

It was a productive day in terms of thinking about my art. I slept in late, popped into the studios and started doing some drawing. Nothing serious, but prep for some other work. Some days I wished I did photo for the instant gratification feel [I know not totally instant] but with imaginary landscapes it's a little hard to photograph. I miss etching a bit, it always seemed so intuitive and quick for me. I guess I just need to make lithography like that for me. A lot of printing does that for one.

The Leyton Gallery is having a Christmas show in November and they asked me if I wanted to submit some work to it. I definitely am doing so, it's not a "Christmas" theme show but I am trying to incorporate George E. Tyson's Christmas journal entry in to the work; even if it just the inclusion of the text into the piece. It isn't very cheery really, describing the darkness and coldness and the barrenness of their Christmas dinner.

The Wanderer residency had their artist presentations yesterday and a lot of great artwork was shown. I really like this group and the artwork being proposed. I like all the residencies so far, but maybe this one has a more definite connection to my art interests. I keep turning to video, especially after seeing Oliver Lutz's pieces in his artist talk. I have always had this performative aspect to me, and should really embrace it.

Watched The Shipping News movie last night. Been feeling a little homesick, missing that landscape. Spend a lot of time looking at nautical items on etsy and other websites.
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Black yo, I been hustlin' since skeets was bustin' guns And scufflin', and jumpin' guys over some coats

Posted by Jona8than | | Posted On Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 1:09 a.m.

"Work like a slave; command like a king; create like a god."
- C. Brancusi

I must do nothing else but that above. I have become very soft and unfocused here I feel, little rounder on the edges. You don't stay hungry here, you work with art all day and work with others. It's a great job - lot of inspiration - yet seems like this inspiration will only be used when I leave. Which doesn't help me as much right now. Because I have to throw big. Ride a pale horse and be an art hero.

I have the ideas, I just have to put the effort in to it. It seems I felt more pushed when working a shitty job and going after work to the printshop to work on my pieces.

The thought of pursuing my Master's was put forward today. It comes and goes, but I do wonder if it is something I should pursue at the moment. Next fall? Go do my masters, get it out of the way. I wonder if there is either 1 year masters of fine arts program out there. That would suit my mood right now.

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Only Built for Cuban Linx

Posted by Jona8than | Labels: , , , | Posted On Monday, September 14, 2009 at 1:53 a.m.

A new residency starts tomorrow morning, thus the past week has been a week busy with preparations for the new group of artists. I look forward to this residency, The Wanderer, as it deal with the romantic notion of the figure in the landscape and the contemporary issues with that. It is something that relates to my own art practice or can inform it a bit more.

I've started working on the new body of work. Spent most of Friday and today in the litho studio, getting things ready for printing. Was going to print today but my foot has been acting up; I believe I have an ingrown toenail. Hurts during the day, even more after wearing shoes all day. Will probably need surgery again for it, so probably will be doing that this week. Sigh... what a pain in the hole... er... foot.

The lithographic print I am working on first is going to be a three part print - by parts I mean on different sheets. So three full sheets of paper meaning it should be about 8ft tall give or take a few inches. At the moment I'm thinking it will only be about 2ft wide. I could use six sheets of paper, and have the image 2 sheets wide. Perhaps for another piece, will see how this one goes. I think it will be a good experiment for me regarding size and printing.
I haven't decided on how to join the sheets together or if this will be an issue with this work. That will be addressed once the printing is done.

From what I heard the Pick Me Up Art Collective show went well this weekend, a good crowd showed up and a good time was had by all. I wish I could of been there. I was told I was asked about. That's always good, to be brought up. I guess I'll see some people during Christmas.
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MC Conditioner - you can never say this boy's an amateur

Posted by Jona8than | Labels: , , | Posted On Friday, September 11, 2009 at 2:29 a.m.

I have finished all my researching for my new project... well, maybe finished is the wrong phrase. I have stopped researching for my new body of work at the moment, and will just start making stuff. Especially in the lithography room. If I don't use that room, I lose it in a way. It has just taken so long to get everything kind of situated for to start working at something. So glad I got an extension here in a way because if I hadn't, I'd just have two months to make everything.

That is kinda where I am to at the moment, just embarking on this new work. It feels exciting and I have a lot of support from my mentors at the Banff Centre.

It''s going to be a lot of print based work but also some ceramics and sculpture pieces. I got some porcelain today to work with - for free- so always hits the spot.

I am in an exhibition this weekend with the art collective Pick Me Up Art. Not that I think my art is particularly picking anyone up. Not my objective really. Not that I am sure of my objective, but I know what it isn't. Anyway... there is this great exhibition this weekend with some of fellow classmates and art school peeps. If you're in St. John's, check it out.

Besides that the only thing on my radar is getting ready for the winter, getting some winter clothes and gear. In particular some boots. I have been experimenting with different looks this summer; Banff kinda has this casual affect on people - so a lot of jeans and tee shirts. I think that while good for the summer, it wasn't me. I can feel in this fall my usual veering to suits and other such wear. In particular, Alexander McQueen's fall clothes. Just fell in love with it. Those sharp lines and attitude - real masculinity.

That's my thoughts for today


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