What We Tell Each Other

How many people know what wet plate collodion is?
It goes back to photography's chemical/alchemical roots and makes beautiful pictures that have a quality which cannot accurately be depicted in the digital realm.   The small individual imperfections of each wet plate image mimic the small imperfections that make each individual person unique.  The process of making a wet plate collodion demands a certain kind of intimate attention that translates across the entire session to help create an intimacy with the subject revealed in the final image.

A Big Thank You

to everyone who is supporting the Grand Canyon Gravure project.

I will post updates on the project's web page at Kickstarter.


If you are in the area, stop by the Kawanhee Inn. I'll be hanging out with some friend, celebrating both my birthday and the successful funding of this photogravure project.

only today and tomorrow.....

then the deadline passes.....

This project has reached it's funding goal already and some of the art is still available if you picture yourself liking it and wanting to have it.

.............here is the link if you are curious http://kck.st/LwzeJr

If you have ever wanted any of my art

this is the week to contact me;
not just the Grand Canyon stuff;
any of it.

I'm in full-on organization mode, printing, matting, framing, etc. so that I can make sure everyone gets the work they chose by the end of the summer.

New Orleans Community Printshop

is moving to a permanent home




Check out some of the cool work coming from this artists' center!!!

http://nolacommunityprintshop.wordpress.com/

Community printshops (darkrooms, studio spaces, etc) are an important part of the support network for artists.  How many people can afford their own studio with all the equipment needed to do the projects they want?  How many people have graduated from school and suddenly found themselves without a means to make art?  Community art studios and workshops are the real-world equivalent of social networks.  Artists have a place to work and interact with other artists.  Sometimes it's simply an excuse to get out off the couch and out of the house one night each week.  Many times it's the difference between someone creating work that will become an important part of our society at large and not being able to find a place to make that important work.

John, Paul, Ringo

(were the names of our rafts rented from Canyon REO)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1064313302/grand-canyon-gravure?ref=card


I'm super excited and very flattered by all of you who helped the Grand Canyon Gravure project reach it's funding goal.  Thank you very much!



For those who are just now deciding to become backers of this project, you'll still get some good art at the fund-raising price.  Anything pledged that pushes the project beyond the original minimum goal will help take steps towards making the book portion a reality.  

There are some other very cool projects out there too, not just his one, so take a look.  You just might make the difference between an artist funding their dreams of making important work.


Invisible Cities Photo Exhibition


What We Tell Each Other


New Orleans Community Print Shop

Art at the Kawanhee Inn

http://www.maineinn.net

The work has been hanging for more than a month, but because I did not do an official announcement or host a reception, some people are surprised that part of the Grand Canyon Gravure series (along with other more straight-forward photographic work) is hanging at the Kawanhee Inn.

The photogravures that are hanging in the Moose Room include:
Havasu
Campsite Quanta
Camp 118.6
Winter Canyon
Matkatamiba
Tequila Beach
Chief Kawanhee
Moonset O' K

Here is part of the information sheet that I wrote for customers of the Kawanhee Inn.

Q:  What is a photogravure?

A:  Photogravure is a photo-mechanical process that dates back to the earliest years of photography.  It is still the most archivally stable printing process available for photography, which means that, under normal conditions, the image can last several hundred years.  The photograph can be captured with any camera. Whether that means using modern digital equipment or one of the large format glass plate cameras from the 19^th century.  The unique look of photogravure, as well as its longevity, is a result of a printing process based around intaglio printmaking techniques well established by the year 1430. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intaglio_(printmaking)

The original photograph is reproduced on either a metal (traditional) or polymer (contemporary) plate as a collection of engraved pockets and lines.  Ink is manually wiped onto the plate, and forced into the recesses.  A multi-step process of wiping removes the ink from the top of the plate while leaving the ink in the recessed lines and pockets.  Specialized cotton printmaking paper is evenly dampened with water, placed on top of the plate and run through a high pressure etching press.  The damp paper dips into the recessed areas that contain ink and starts a wicking process that draws the ink onto the paper, leaving an impression of the image.  The process also leaves a depression on the paper that can be seen as a rectangle surrounding the image.

Q:  What is an archival pigment print?

A:  Pigment printing is the current name for museum-quality ink jet printing, which uses longer lasting pigment-based inks instead of quickly fading dye-based inks.  Some people refer to an archival pigment print as a “giclee” print, which is a term coined in the 1990’s by the first printers to use archivally stable inks in IRIS printers.  To be able to use the word “archival”, the ink and paper used must maintain 90% of its color gamut (the range of colors) for 50 years under normal indoor lighting conditions.  The inks used in these prints are rated for at least 80 years.

Q:  How do I make sure my print lasts as long as possible?

A:  The two most important steps are protecting your work of art from immediate physical damage and direct sunlight (UV).   Other than hiding the image in a dark safe, the best option is framing under glass or acrylic (plexi).  Everything framed in this series uses acrylic.  Acrylic will not break as easily as glass, thus provides more protection from physical harm.  It also has a natural tendency to filter some ultraviolet light (UV).   If your work is going to be displayed in direct sunlight, you will need to visit a frame shop that can install glass or acrylic which contains an additional UV coating.

Q:  Where did you get these frames?

A:  The frames you see at the Kawanhee Inn are made, one at a time, either from wood that is recycled from docks, barns, cabins, or new wood that was harvested and milled at least one year ago from local trees.

Invisible Cities

This wonderful project from Danielle Ezzo has a direct connection to crowd sourcing, but goes far beyond that to explore the meaning of connections; whether it's family, friends, cities, or networks of other sorts.

Artists need to support each other.  Every year there are multiple stories about the millions of dollars in "the arts".  Those stories tend to focus on the large organizations that have access to those funds.  What those stores do not mention are that the large organizations tend to suck up all the grant money and other funding, leaving thousands of individual artists wondering how to find the time and money to make art.  While I don't begrudge any individual's success, I must ask you if you really want another million dollar piece of art from a big-name artist (and all the expense tacked on by dealers, galleries, press agents, etc.) or are you willing to support someone local who would directly benefit from your appreciation of art?

Danielle Ezzo is supporting my Grand Canyon Gravure project and I support her Invisible Cities project.  I think that some of the people who read this would be interested in Invisible Cities.  At a minimum, the video is worth watching.  And, keep an eye out for Danielle Ezzo's work in the future!

Feeling Froggy???

then JUMP!!!

I'm going to Sheepscot

but thought I'd share this nice cyanotype (toned with a watercolor glaze).

I made it last night as a break from some of the other work I've been doing.  And, since I'm feeling amphibious...

Making Cyanotypes (and a simple contact frame)

(...just the visually interesting parts are show. There is a lot of work on the computer tweaking the negatives for this unique process. I also don't show the chemical prep. or the mistakes made while dialing in the exposure times. Lots of work goes into these)

A little more care is taken with the large cyanotypes, but it's too long to make into a video on YouTube.

click here  to view the video on YouTube

this is another good intro video on YouTube

The contact frame you see in the video is very simple:
*  $10 tempered glass shelf from Ikea.
*  3/4" plywood cut to 15" x 30"
*  self-adhesive cork shelf liner placed on top of the plywood
*  6 woodworking clamps

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1064313302/grand-canyon-gravure?ref=card

If you want one of these cards, visit the link above and participate in the Grand Canyon Gravure project before July 27th.  $10 is all it takes to get hand-made art sent to you in the mail.

Monhegan Cyanotypes

5" x 7" paper

Monhegan Island, Maine is another one of those special places that cannot easily be described with words. 

right now these are only available through the Grand Canyon Gravure project

when you decide to become a backer for $10 or more

Kawanhee Cyanotypes

At the two week mark mark (14 days left) I imagine that,
since some of the participants, potential backers, and curious people for the Grand Canyon Gravure project share a connection with Kawanhee, it would be helpful to show some of the prize options that also share that connection to Kawanhee.

The four in this picture above were sold through Colorado Mesa University, thus are gone, but they make a good example of what is available.  Each cyanotype is one-of-a-kind on 5" x 7" paper.  The natural color of a cyanotype is blue, but with bleaching and toning (and sometimes some drawing and brushing) the colors can be changed.

Become a backer and see more options.
Anything is appreicated.
$1 minimum to participate.
$10 is the first award/prize level.

15 days left

Experience AWE

Grand Canyon Gravure

Historic River Boats Afloat

http://youtu.be/vBTKccHnDVY

http://www.historicriverboatsafloat.org/

Big Water Little Boats

BigWaterLittleBoats.com

---update---
I just finished reading "Big Water Little Boats".  It reads like someone telling a good story.  That's because it IS someone telling a good story.  Tom Martin did a great job with this book and I'm sure I'll read it again within the year.

Intent

Hands are the extension of intent and the instrument of compassion.  Without the ability to act, empathy and compassion are little more than nice words.  The manual dexterity of human beings has allowed people to DO good things, to BE creative compassionate caring and help not just our immediate circle, but to reach out and take action for the benefit of those outside ourselves. 

The feat of creation in the real world adds power to the ethereal.  Movement of hands adds, confirms, and teaches the mind the difference between real and not.  The tactile quality of a physical picture has a presence that projection does not.  A digital image can be printed, thus becoming an artifact, a physical thing.  A hand-made image reveals the work, tells the story of its creation, and the revelations had along the way as hands learned, corrected, and cared for the work of art during it’s making.

Sunshine and Fluffy Clouds

Bright sunshine, deep sky and bright white fluffy clouds floating by.  Your favorite weather and everything you need to be happy right there with you now.  Calmly, openly looking.  The decision for the next step is quiet yet sure.  This place is beautiful.  It is unique, one of a kind.  It must be held with gentle hands.  It must be taken care of, preserved with good intent, gifted to the future now.

19 days to go

People juggle many different diversions.  Life is busy.  Friends we make are in various locations.  Toys and tools are scattered from use.  Did you ever feel like you had the urge to gather all your favorites in one place?

"The Fun Package"

includes a bunch of stuff from the Grand Canyon Gravure project.

* hand-made cyanotype on cotton paper (optimally sized for easy framing)

* archival digital reprint in a cotton mat (thoughtfully sized for easy framing)

* signed copy of the book "It Must Be... (A Grand Canyon Trip)"

* 100% cotton Tshirt with the brushstroke circular design

* sticker

it should be $165

but this Fun Package is only $125

20 days left

Imagine a special place that takes effort to access.  Picture a process that takes work to make happen.  The surface of the place is seen by many, whereas the intimate details of the depths are only accessed and understood by those who are willing to take the extra steps needed to experience something so special.  The result of the process is rendered in easily understood form, and yet still to be appreciated fully, one must reach out to take the action necessary to be involved in the history of the thing.

clickety click

Washington Printmakers Gallery

15th Annual National Small Works show
August 1 - 26, 2012
http://washingtonprintmakers.com/exhibitions/2012/15th-annual-national-small-works
accepted two of my sepia photogravures this year:
"Havasu" and "Winter Canyon"
http://artandwater.smugmug.com/Other/Grand-Canyon-Gravure/23034401_vqCsZB#!i=1853015620&k=nNj2Qww

Opening Reception on Saturday, August 4 at 1pm


"Winter Canyon"

Havasu at Soho Photo Gallery tonight!!!

The hand-made photogravure from the Grand Canyon Gravure series
is in the 15th Annual Small Works Show that opens tonight,
and runs through the entire month of July.

http://www.sohophoto.com/sp_national_comp.html

If you are in NYC, come out and see the show.

http://www.artists2artists.net/events/soho

If you want to support the continuation of this photogravure project, visit the Grand Canyon Gravure project and pledge as little at $10 for some awesome artwork!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1064313302/grand-canyon-gravure?ref=card

http://www.sohophoto.com/downloads/2012_national_comp_winners.pdf

Declaration of Independence Day !!!

American Whitewater

25 days left

for the Grand Canyon Gravure project.

Backers who participate on the $75 level can choose
from several options of hand-made cyanotypes
that have a direct connection to the photogravures.

The images are approx. 8x10 on 11x14 inch paper,
greatly opening up your framing options,
and making it easier to protect and enjoy your art collection.

(these are just two examples of the choices you'll have when you decide to participate)

more can be see at the 0:49 mark of this YouTube video http://youtu.be/GSiUtzT5Kz4

The 12 completed gravures

The cyanotype choices

26 days to go

to get this project funded.
It's all or nothing.
If the goal is not reached, the project does not get finished!
A "pledge" means that you are not charged for this right now.  It will only happen when the goal is reached at the end of the month.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1064313302/grand-canyon-gravure?ref=card

$25 or more and you get an ARTandWATER cotton tshirt.
(Stickers too?  Sure, why not.  Everyone likes stickers)

When the project is funded, you will receive a private message so we can discuss tshirt size, design, and color.




http://youtu.be/GSiUtzT5Kz4