#sgci2013

[pussycatpress]

PRINT MKE - SGCI 2013 

Pussycat Press had a great time last week in Milwaukee for the 2013 Southern Graphic's International Conference. 8 current students, 2 alumni and our professor withstood the chilly weather for a few days of printmaking fun. I'm sure you ran into one or more of us at the open portfolio and hopefully picked up a postcard. Can't wait for next year! Check out our Facebook for more photos from Milwaukee! 

[printsquad-blog]

Last minute preparations for open portfolio!

[printsquad-blog]

OPEN PORTFOLIO: JAKI EDITION

Open portfolio was a lot of fun! It was great to see so many prints in one place, ask questions, and network with other people around town. However, if I ever have the opportunity to do this again, definitely going to sign up for SESSION 1 or 2!!!

I was really nervous at first. How do I introduce myself, what do I say about my work? But, it was really cool to see all of my prints on one table and realize that there is potential, however, I do have my work cut out for me!

And to anyone who picked up my card on the table, I put the wrong address for my tumblr on it. If by chance you are reading this, follow me on my tumblr: munkikatastic.tumblr.com

...it's kind of a work in progress right now, but I'll post my work on there soon!

-- JAKI

[printsquad-blog]

Pastemaking for Printers: Ink Recipe

Chika Ito did a presentation during the 2013 SGCI conference on "Pastemaking for Printmakers"as las low-cost, low-technqiue,  less-impact (on the environment) and less-harmful (to the printmaker). Below is a description on how to prepare the paste for use in silkscreen.

To make the paste-based ink the recipe is as follows:

1. One portion of rice flour or wheat flour, or any kind of starch (without additives).

2. Five to eight portions of water. In a pan, mix starch and one portion of water. Mix until creamy.Add rest of the water and bring to a boil over low heat. Keep stirring. Stir until it becomes thick and fairly clear. Cool over night if needed (for rice starch, don't).

3. Mix pigment (easy to mix if pigment dispersed is available), watercolor, ink, or other colourant until desired instensity. Add water to get the desired consistency for your ink, like full-fat yoghurt!

To print:

Do NOT leave the screen wet for a long time (the rice paste dries very quick). Clean the screen with a sponge and luke warm water to avoid stains.

Also, different types of starch have different finishes:

wheat starch for matte finish

rice paste for sheen finish

methylcellulose for a glossy finish

WARNING! The rice paste can attract bugs it it is left unattended, OUTSIDE! So be cautious!

I actually missed Chika Ito's demo on the actual preparation of the paste for printing, but I can't wait to try this out! Let me know how it works out for ya'll!

--JAKI

PS: Here is the like to Chika Ito's website and ink recipe:

Chika Ito: www.chikaito.com

Ink Recipe: http://www.chikaito.com/Grafiek_Printmaking/Ink_Recipe.html

[printsquad-blog]

TARO TAKIZAWA was one of the many printmakers I met during open portfolio. I was really taken back by his use of color and pattern to create these urban landscapes of Japan. "Home remember remember remember," was my personal favorite. Although I wasn't able to score one of these prints, I was able to obtain a proof of "Gekka Bijin".

[sunynewpaltzprintmaking]

The printmakers of New Paltz have returned from SGC! We had a great time in Milwaukee, above are just a few photos from our excursion. We got to see a multitude of demonstrations and discussions and see printmakers from all over the world! Almost everyone participated in the open portfolio sessions, some of us even managed to snag a few unclaimed tables during the extra sessions. Prints were sold and traded, free samples were stocked up on, conference sales were taken advantage of, and connections were made both on a personal and professional level!

We got to see well-known shops and publishers such as Drive By Press, Cannonball Press, Death Metal Press, Just Seeds, our neighbor Women's Studio Workshop, and even one of our recent alumni's new project New Academy Press!

Along with all the SGC madness, everyone loved Milwaukee. The city lives up to its reputation for great food and great breweries! Eating in the city was one of our favorite parts of the trip. We were lucky enough to have a friend who was born and raised in the city to act as a tour guide and provide a place to stay for some of the students, who couldn't have asked for a more comfortable and welcoming place to sleep at night! We went to the Milwaukee Art Museum, visited local parks, and saw some silly tourist attractions like the Bronze Fonz. 

So, despite the 30 hours of driving and the endless amounts of snacks consumed en route, we all had a blast. Here's hoping we're able to get as many students to go to San Francisco for next year's conference!

Now that we're back we're in spring break, then (maybe even already) many of our students are gearing up for their undergraduate and graduate thesis shows. We've got five MFA's and three BFA's leaving us this spring, and while we're definitely sad to see them go, we're very excited to see what the shows look like and what they'll do in the future!

[printsquad-blog]

Here is the work of Jay Fox, and MFA student at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

 It's quite interesting when it comes to interdisciplinary work. He creates these small stone (from his home) and wood sculptures and then creates corresponding prints that are on shelves on the walls. Which from what I heard from a gentlemen that was in the space with  Eliana and myself are free to take.

- Clarissa