Category Archives: Studio (in production)

Barbarian Press Workshop

Posted on by
Reply

I recently took a 3-day workshop at Barbarian Press in Mission, BC, where I learned the basics of letterpress printing from some of the masters in the game. I printed a broadsheet with the lyrics from “Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing” by the Magnetic Fields. It was an excellent opportunity to peruse a range of beautiful printed books, sort through tons of old type, and gain valuable tips on letterpress printmaking. Pictures below!

IMG_3332

Printing on a Vandercook Press.

IMG_3333

Nothing Matters When We’re Dancing – printed broadsheet featuring lyrics by Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields.

IMG_3302

Setting type on the press.

IMG_3258

A printed book

IMG_3281

Setting type.

IMG_3329

Setting up for the second colour on the Vandercook.

Handmade Here

Posted on by
Reply

In just one week I’ll be showing and selling my work at Handmade Here in Calgary. I’m one of 25 local artists who will be selling a range of work including ceramics, paintings, jewellery, textiles and of course, prints. I’ll have cards, bookmarks, scarves as well as a range of prints from the last few years. Come by November 15 & 16 at the Triwood Community Centre. 10-5 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.

Bookmarks made of cut prints

Bookmarks made of cut prints

Hand-silkscreened silk scarves using dyes and featuring my parrot, Charlie.

Hand-silkscreened silk scarves using dyes and featuring my parrot, Charlie.

Silkscreened Christmas cards.

Silkscreened Christmas cards.

IMG_0003 IMG_0004

 

Fargo

Posted on by
Reply

This past winter, the television show Fargo was filmed in Calgary and I was approached to print some props. This was mostly a lot of unsexy boxes and folders but it was still pretty interesting to be part of the behind the scenes production. I did all my printing on the weekends so I never ran across any actors but it was cool to check out some of the sets and other props. Thank-you to Joel Tobman for this opportunity (he also designed the stencils – I just printed them)! Below are some photos of the printing in progress as well as a screen shot of a box in use.

A forest of drying giant boxes.

A forest of drying giant boxes.

Some ammunition boxes laid out and ready for the onscreen debut.

Some ammunition boxes laid out and ready for their onscreen debut.

Case files! I had to cut a special template out of foam core so that I could print these. The back has a clip that couldn't be removed.

Case files! I had to cut a special template out of foam core so that I could print these. The back has a clip that couldn’t be removed.

This is what a lot of boxes looks like.

This is what a lot of boxes looks like.

Silkscreening some large boxes (190 to be exact)

Silkscreening some large boxes (190 to be exact). We built registration guides out of screwed-in two by fours.

Printed box in action in Fargo.

Screen shot of a printed box in action in Fargo.

Summer Projects

Posted on by
Reply

I’m currently on the other side of the world, recharging my batteries in Australia and Indonesia. My work is never far from my mind and I have several projects coming up during the summer. First up is the Douro Biennial in Portugal. It is quite exciting to have been selected for this. Next up is the inaugural Calgary Biennial in September. I’ll be reincarnating some of my plexiglass works and making a large piece. The theme for the biennial is home and it will be great to see the different interpretations and the depth within the Calgary scene. I’ll be doing some writing while away – it will be interesting to consider home when I’m so far from it.

Just before I left I sent a new edition of prints off to Dustyn Bork who is organizing an interesting portfolio exchange for the Mid-America Print Council. The theme is “High Five” and each of us are making a print in our own style. Then each of us will receive one print from one of the other participants and will make a response print. It’s a great concept and I look forward to seeing all the echoes and connections.