Polymer Plate Printmaking

I have a new project on the press bed.

With a proposed computer generated image of 18 repetitive, rotating motifs, I have begun to investigate of how best to print this 9x21 inch image. As a linoleum block printmaker, this project posed a real challenge in the craft of precision for image transfering and block cutting.

When I began to ponder the linocut project, immediately a murder of nay sayer demons were flying around in my head, saying 'You got to be joking'! 'No way'! And I kinda agreed with them.

Enter the idea of using polymer plates. Surfing the web, I found Boxcar Press in Syracuse, New York. http://www.boxcarpress.com/ I am a complete ignoramous regarding how this comtemporary letterpress method is produced but... the printing of these plates is similiar to the printing my linocut blocks.



In the following weeks, I will be blogging about this investigation.


Susan Jaworski-Stranc

Nov. 17th meeting at Indigo Studio and plans for the future

Printmakers met last week at Mary Pollak's Indigo Studio and had a productive discussion about plans for future exhibitions. The discussion was twofold:
1. Possible venues for a 2011 show and development of a proposal. Members will research proposal requirements and dates.

2. Packaging our 2010 NAA show for maximum exposure and sales. Ideas included publicity on local cable station and newspaper reviews, short-term rental of the upstairs Hartson Gallery for a weekend Print Fair, focus on education through gallery talks and wall statements, and lots of bin work.

The group won't meet in December, but will devote the January meeting to planning and proposal development.


Recommended museum exhibitions re Prints:

MFA "Albrecht Durer"- Gallery talk Dec. 3rd 11:00

CURRIER MUSEUM Manchester NH "Print Collection of David and Barbara Stahl" through Jan. 3rd.

Holiday Saturdays at Indigo Artist Studio

Indigo Artist Studio will host Holiday Saturdays in December from
10-5 on December 5,12,19. The studio is working and gallery space
for artists, Mary Arthur Pollak and Lillian M. Coolidge, and features
monotype, mixed media, and oils in a variety of sizes and prices for
your home and gift giving.

Especially for the holidays are small monotype collages on canvas by
Mary Arthur Pollak. These pieces are monotype prints and other
collected textures, arranged with reminiscence of detail found in
ethnic and historical design. A broad collection of framed monotype
and mixed media landscapes and collages will also be available.

Also on exhibit are a selection of intimate landscapes in oil by
Lillian Coolidge. Her work depicts peaceful and beautiful spaces as
well as the power and raw beauty of nature. She describes her
paintings as meditations that offers the viewer a chance to rest and
wander within the space.

Indigo Artist Studio is at 53 Middle Street (just past Fair St.) in
Newburyport. To celebrate the holidays there will be a special
Artist's Reception on Dec. 5 from 4-6 with food and drink and open to the public. The studio is handicapped accessible and otherwise open by appointment or by chance. Call 978-500-0564 for information.

November Meeting @ Indigo Studio

A reminder about our meeting next Tuesday, November 17th, at Indigo Studio (53 Middle Street, Newburyport) at 10:00 AM.

The plan is to experiment with a "credit card press" to create miniature relief prints. Linda, can you bring your press and Sue J-S, did you say you had one and/or instructions for use?? We all need to make a credit card thin relief plate (e.g. cardboard or super-thin plexi collagraph, carborundum, or collage). I'm not sure what maximum size should be... how much larger than a credit card?

I'll bring some extra materials so we can also make them on Tuesday.  We'll also be discussing plans for our 2010 show. I just received an e-mail from Carol re NAA Interest Group applications and we need to make a decision by the end of the year. Several members have been looking into alternate venues, but these look more likely for the following year.

Remember to bring work to share! 

NAA Printmakers meet at Mary Pollak's Indigo Studio

On October 26th, members of the NAA Printmakers Interest Group met to share information, ideas, and work.
The group talked about current print shows of interest (Boston Printmakers: "Contemporary Cuban Printmakers" at Laconia Gallery, 433 Harrison Ave., Boston, through November 22nd; "Evolution of a Shared Vision: the David and Barbara Stahl Collection" at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH; and "Print Fair North" at Zea Mays Printmaking in Florence, MA November 14th-15th.)

Members also began to explore additional venues for exhibitiion (galleries, art associations, community colleges).

The meeting included an informal, supportive sharing of recent work.

The next meeting, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 17th, at Indigo Studio, will focus on experimenting with miniature prints using an 'old-fashioned'credit card scanner. This idea grew from an article by Susan Jaworski Stranc about creating a miniature print for the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, CT.

Elaine Insero thinking green...
and creating one of a kind note
cards from recycled monoprints.

Susan Jaworski-Stranc's portfolio of new prints, "In the Kitchen"

After three months of planning, designing and cutting linoleum blocks, the editions of10 new reduction prints have been signed, framed and are presently hanging in a three person show entitled, "In the Kitchen" at the Newburyport Art Association. The show is a collection of new work inspired by the art of cooking and eating well.

I decided to take an edgier approach to subject matter. Animals (in living form) take center stage as well as antique milk bottles and a spoof on Bell's Seasonings.

The show continues through Wednesday, October 28 at NAA, 65 Water Street, Newburyport. 11-5 daily,
October 24 until 7P www.newburyportart.org

for more images see www.appleciderpress.net

Upcoming Events: Mary Arthur Pollak and Indigo Artist Studio

MiXit Media and Norris Frame Gallery
Grand Opening Reception
Sunday, October 4, 5-8pm
Route 133 (at Bruni Marketplace), Ipswich, MA
978-356-0115

Newburyport Art Association
Fall Members Show
October 1-26, 2009
65 Water St., Newburyport, MA 01950

“Unlimited Vision: One-of-a-Kind Prints
Monotype Guild of New England
Carol Grillo Art Gallery, Center for the Arts
Endicott College, 376 Hale St., Beverly, MA, 978-232-2655
Friday, October 16-Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Reception: Thursday, October 29, 5-7pm

Newburyport ArtWalk
indigo Artist Studio
October 24, Open House Hours, 11am-7pm
53 Middle St., Newburyport, MA

Annual Crane Estate Art Show and Sale
Trustees of Reservations
The Great House at Castle Hill, Ipswich, MA
Reception: Friday Nov. 6, 5-7pm
Saturday and Sunday, November 7&8, 10-4p
marypollakart.com indigo artist studio, 53 Middle St., Newburyport, MA 978-500-0564

Printmakers Meet in October

After a busy summer and so-far beautiful fall, it's time for a meeting of our Printmaker's group. We will meet Monday, October 26th, at 10:00 in Mary Pollak's Indigo Studio

(53 Middle Street, Newburyport).

Bring ideas for future meetings (demonstrations, workshops) and field trips.

If you can't attend the meeting, please e-mail me your suggestions. bkedesdy@rcn.com As usual, bring along work you'd like to share... and lunch or snack.

Printmakers exhibit @ Endicott College w/ MGNE

Members of the Newburyport Art Association Printmakers Group, Michele Augeri, Elaine Insero, Barbara Kedesdy, Mary Pollak, and Mary Webber will have works on exhibit in the Carol Grillo Art Gallery, Center for the Arts at the Endicott College, Beverly MA. The exhibit titled, “Unlimited Vision: On of a Kind Prints” was juried by Dwight Pogue, Professor of Art, Smith College. Northampton, MA .
Exhbition dates are October 16th through December 22, 2009.
Opening Reception October 29 from 5 -7 PM

MGNE Exhibit - Unlimited Vision

MGNE presents: Unlimited Vision: One-of-a-Kind Prints at Carol Grillo Art Gallery Endicott College Center for the Arts, Beverly, MA
October 16 – December 22, 2009

Juried by Dwight Pogue
Reception: Thursday, October 29, 5-7pm
Artists exhibiting are:
Michele Augeri - Satellite
John Avakian - Strength & Vulnerability
Elizabeth Carter - Backlit
Kathy Connolly - Winter Break
Wendy R. Converse - Aware
Susan Denniston - One wave throughout the world
Joanne F. Desmond - Performance Anxiety
Caroline DiNunzio - Oriental Screen
Joyce C. Fearnside - Composite #3
Jeffrey Fullam - Impulse to Help
Ann B. Gillespie - Fading Memories
Judith T. Greenberg - Roommates
Ann Guiliani - Palm Anatomy
Ric Haynes - Partners
Lorraine Gentile Haynes - Topiary
Fran Henry-Meehan - Shirt of Honor
Kate Higley - River Time
Elaine Insero - Chalice
Carolyn R. Letvin - Single Sheep #6
Helene K. Manzo - Trill, Platte Clove Series
Lena Marchi - Loose Threads
Alice Nolan Merlone - Serenity Revisited, Sea Oats
Barbara Nachmias-Kedesdy - Fan Coral Book
Carol Odell - Chasing the Edge
Jill Parisi - Radiolaria
Susan W. Plant - Tulip
Connie S. Pogue - Vase
Mary J. Pollak - Water Marks II
Mardi Reed - Remains
Anne C. Russell - Black Fern
Phil Stevens - Popham Beach
Mary L. Taylor - Lost in Popland
Mary C. Webber - Spring Murmurs
Joyce G. Zavorskas - Ocean Advancing

Impressions 2009

Family and friends came out to help all the printmakers hang their show, at the Sargent Gallery, of the Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St, Newburyport MA The show continues through August 5th. The gallery is open 11 to 5.

Indigo Artist Studio, Monotype Demo, 6/27

Indigo Artist Studio presents tiny framed and unframed oil landscapes as well as bold abstract paintings by Lillian Coolidge and a large selection of monotypes and mixed media created by Mary Arthur Pollak. The ArtWalk featured event will be a demonstration of monotype printmaking methods from 2-3 pm by Ipswich artist, Mary Pollak. The demo will include a variety of techniques including additive, subtractive, stencils and chine colle’.

The studio is open from 11am through 7pm on Saturday, June 27 and is located at 53 Middle St., Newburyport (just past Fair St.) The studio open house is part of the Newburyport ArtWalk, stop #3. The public is invited throughout the day and snacks and drinks will be served during ArtWalk hours from 3-7pm.

NAA Printmakers Plan for Summer Show

Planning meeting was held at the Newburyport Art Association for the 6th annual Making an Impression show.

Susan Jaworski-Stranc exhibits at the Center for Contemporary

Susan Jaworski-Stranc's reduction linoleum print, Tribal Shields, has been accepted into and will be exhibited at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking’s 7th International Miniature Print Biennial.

The distinguished jurors Lisa Hodermarsky and Craig Zammiello reviewed 708 prints submitted by 255 artists from 23 countries and 26 states.

The exhibition will open on Thursday, May 28th and continue through August 15th. Opening reception will be held Thursday, May 28th, 4-7pm at the Center in Norwalk , CT

To see more of Susan's work go to her website: http://www.appleciderpress.net/

Open Studios in Lowell and Amesbury

Muriel Angelil Open Studios
@ 14 Cedar Street
Saturday May 2 & Sunday May 3.
Murial's Studio is #307
Muriel Angelil Installations monotype prints and paintings
murielangelil.com

Susan Jarworski Stranc
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
Western Ave Studios open studios from 12noon to 5PM.
http://www.westernavenuestudios.com/

Mary Pollak receives award at MGNE Exhibit

Mary Pollak, of Ipswich , MA received an honorable mention for her monotype print entitled "Out With The Tide". The exhibit will be on view at Lynn Arts Center, 25 Exchange St., Lynn, MA until May 1st.

Newburyport Printmakers chosen to Exhibt in NAA Regional Show

Five printmakers from the interest group are showing work in the current show at the Newburyport Art Association, Mary Pollak, Christine Riccardi, Elaine Insero, Barbara Kedesdy, and Linda Germain. The show theme is "The Artist’s Voice” – Spring Member’s Open Show. Each work of art is accompanied by a statement explaining the Artist’s voice: a fingerprint of style, substance, process and inspiration.

April 24 to May 17 Reception: Sat., April 25, 7 - 9 PM

Susan Jarworski Stranc, Barbara Kedesdy, and Linda Germain were chosen to exhibit prints in the 12th Annual Regional Juried Art Show @ NAA

May 22 to June 14

Reception: Sat., May 23, 7 - 9 pm

Juror: John Stomberg, Deputy Director/Chief Curator, Williams College Museum of Art

Be sure to support these local artists and visit their websites and galleries.

Elaine Insero Announces Upcoming Exhibits

ELAINE INSERO a member of the Newburyport Art Association Printmakers interest group is pleased to announce the following: I will have artworks on exhibit during the following events.
Hope to see you there!

“The Artist’s Voice” at the Newburyport Art Association,
65 Water Street, Newburyport, MA.
April 24 thru May 16
Reception Sat April 25th 7 -9 PM

Two of Elaine Insero’s watercolor monoprints will be on exhibit with the Greater Haverhill Art Association at the Buttonwoods Museum,
240 Water Street, Haverhill, MA. from May 13 thru May 23rd.
Wine & Cheese Reception - Friday May 15th- 6:30 to 9:PM.

I will also be showing new work with the
Newburyport Art Association Printmakers Group
July 23rd thru August 5th
Reception – Saturday July 25 7-9 PM

To see more of Elaine's work go to http://www.elaineinsero.com/

“Bringing Out the Dory” by Susan Stranc chosen for New Hampshire Print Exhibit

Susan Stranc's print “Bringing Out the Dory” will be part of the upcoming print show @ the New Hampshire of Art
Printmaking Exhibition
4/8/2009 through 4/30/2009
@ the French Building Gallery

Opening Reception: April 8, 2009, 5 – 7 pm

The New Hampshire Institute of Art is pleased to host a national juried printmaking exhibition. This exhibition will be juried by print collector Parker Potter and will showcase printmakers from across the country. Works made using a wide variety of printmaking media and styles, including etching, lithography, screen-printing, and monoprinting will be included in this exhibition.

For more os Susan's work go to her website http://www.appleciderpress.net/

Road Trip to 2009 Boston Printmakers Biennial

Several of the Newburyport Art Association printmakers took in the Boston Printmakers 2009 Biennial show today. The Juror, Roberta Waddell Curator Emerita, The New York Public Library had the following to say about the show "I wanted to include as many artists as possible, while documenting the variety of printmaking media available today. As I reviewed the images, several themes gradually emerged: figures and faces; the landscape and still life; architecture, the city and suburbs; abstraction; political and social commentary; and finally, words used as images. These leitmotifs served as useful, but loose guidelines during the selection process and helped shape the show. Once I made my choices and learned the names of the contributing artists, I continued my research and uncovered themes and concerns more subtle and complex than those initial categories could begin to suggest. No matter what their issues and agendas, however, I found that the artists included in the Biennial successfully communicated their artistic intentions through carefully chosen printmaking techniques (sometimes combining processes, sometimes in concert with drawing and painting)." For a full statement by the juror, Roberta Waddell go to http://www.bostonprintmakers.org/biennal.html#jurorStatement

Mary Pollak exhibits Monotypes in Many Local Galleries

Mary Pollak is exhibiting some of her monotypes at several galleries on the East Coast.

March 1-30 ,2009 Hour Glass Gallery Artist of the Month Melrose, MA http://www.hourglassgiftgallery.com/

March 6-29, 2009 Newburyport Art Association - Winter Juried Show
April 4, 2009 Indigo Artist Studio Newburyport ArtWalk
April 4, 2009 Monotype Guild Juried Show ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: THE UNIQUE PRINT LynnArts, Inc . Opening Reception, 2-4PM 25 Exchange St. Lynn, March 31-May1 MA

Mary Pollak has spent most of her life developing monotype techniques. As an art teacher, clay artist, weaver, painter, photographer and collector, the accumulation of skills and things fit perfectly into the role of printmaker. She creates her prints with oil paint using a Takach press on Rives BFK rag paper. A variety of materials are used, including brayers to apply the paint, string, original stencils, fabric, etc. to create shape and texture. Other mediums are often added to the print, including transfer techniques and chine colle’. Layering color and image are an integral part of Mary’s style. Visit Mary's Studio @ Indigo Artist Studio, 53 Middle St., Newburyport, MA 01950 or email for mor information marypollak@verizon.net

Summary of Newburyport Art Association Printmakers Meeting

Seven printmakers gathered at the NAA gallery last night. We shared news and prints and planned for future meetings and trips.

Friday, MARCH 20th (the Vernal Equinox), is our field trip date for the Boston Printmakers Biennial at BU. We'll meet at the gallery, 808 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston, at 11:00 to see the exhibition, followed by lunch and (for all those interested) continue to the Mc Mullen Museum of Art at Boston College for an exhibit "The Book as Art".

Contact Barbara Kedesdy carpooling if you're in the Newburyport area.

Members liked the idea of another daytime hands-on workshop in APRIL. Send ideas re themes, activities, or techniques you'd like to pursue.

For MAY, the group made tentative plans for a trip to the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, Ct. (exhibition of Scottish printmakers, until May 16th)late MAY, early JUNE - IMPORTANT PLANNING MEETING FOR SUMMER SHOW! (to include publicity, postcard, wall assignment, gallery-sitting schedule and much much more)

Print above is a gelatin print by Linda Germain

NAA Printmakers February Meeting

The next printmakers meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17th, 7:00 PM Newburyport Art Association Be sure to bring your transformed collaborative prints (from the session at Mary's studio) and prints-in-progress. We'll continue these critiques at our meeting.

Susan Jaworski-Stranc Wins Printmaking Award @ Winter Show

Susan Jaworski-Stranc's Linocut entitled "Bringing Out Dory" was chosen to receive the award for Printmaking at the Winter Members' Juried Show, @ the Newburyport Art Association. The juror was Elizabeth Wyckoff, Assistant Director and Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Davis Museum and Cultural Center at Wellesley College.

February6 to March 1

Reception: Sun., Feb. 8, 3 – 5 pm

Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Open other Weekdays & Saturdays, 11 am – 5 pm, and Sundays, 1 – 5 pm. Exhibitions and receptions are open and free to the public.

You can view more of Susan's work at: Western Avenue Studios122 Western Avenue, Lowell, MA Location Map Open Studios Day First Saturday of each month12-5 PM http://www.appleciderpress.net/

Monotype prints to be featured in Exhibit @ Lynn Arts Center

Three members of the NAA Printmakers Interest Group, Mary Carolyn Webber, Mary Arthur Pollak, Barbara Nachmias-Kedesdy have had work selected for the Monotype Guild of New England exhibition "Endless Possibilities: the Unique Print".

The exhibition will be held at the Lynn Arts Center, 25 Exchange St., Lynn, MA from March 31st to May 1st. The image above is "Aquatic Symphony " 19 x 2 4⅝ Cyanotype/Monoprint by Mary Carolyn Webber.

NAA Printmakers Meeting Notes

Sunday, six printmakers drove down snowy roads to gather at Michele Augeri's house in Newbury. A few of us brought transformed collaborative prints (from the session at Mary's studio) and prints-in-progress. We'll continue these critiques at our next meeting.

We talked about other ways to collaborate. An idea that everyone liked was for each printmaker to create a 6" x 6" print, to be mounted on a masonite support. These would be put together (either hung or arranged on a pedestal for display at our summer NAA exhibition) and would also offer an easy solution for post card images. What do you think? We ended the meeting with a tour of Michele's studio.

A tentative schedule for future meetings/outings:

Tuesday, Feb. 17th, 7:00 PM Newburyport Art Association

A Friday toward the end of March Field trip to see the Boston Printmakers Biennial at Boston University.

A weekday in April Hands-on workshop, probably at Indigo Studio

May Planning meeting for NAA show.

 

MGNE - Call for Entries Deadline Approaching

Exhibition at LynnArts Center
This should be another wonderful exhibition of monotypes and monoprints, with cash prizes and honorable-mention awards. Our Juror, Kurt Wisneski, Professor of Art at UMass Dartmouth and author of the book Monotype/Monoprint and Technique, also juried our outstanding exhibition at the Perkins Gallery in Stoughton in March, 2007. You can download the prospectus and entry form at our website, or email Alice Merlone, Exhibitions Chair, with your name and address, and she will mail the form to you. Her email is a.merlone@sbcglobal.net.Remember, the deadline has been extended to Saturday January 17 (postmark) and we would love to see your work!