Over Fifty and Love Books?

Humboldt State University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) provides fun and stimulating classes for people fifty years or older. The instructors are wonderful, topics cover a wide range of interests, and there are no quizzes or tests. This blog editor took an OLLI course from Marcy Berstiner, Professor of Journalism at HSU, and learned how to create and maintain this blog.

There is a course offering of interest to book art enthusiasts titled, The History of the Book, taught by Scott Brown, owner of Eureka Books. Scott specializes in antiquarian books and maps and has also provided the venue as well as a lot of support for NORBAG's book exhibition during Arts Alive in Eureka. The course will be held the four Wednesday evenings in April, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and the cost is $60 (members) or $75 (non-members).

Woodblock, 1568 Printing Press, Wikipedia.

More Homework Completed

Another workshop participant, Bonnie J., has completed her accordion fold book. She has added a colorful ribbon to tie the book closed. The cover image is a negative print of string or twine. If you could hold this book in your hand the first thing you would notice is the smooth almost silky texture of the image. Bonnie did a good job of inking her brayer, being careful to roll out a thin layer on her rolling surface before applying the ink to the gelatin plate. As a result the thin layer of ink that was transferred to the paper still produced remarkable detail with a surface that seems to be part of the paper.

The images on the front of the folds are a good example of the pleasing use of a limited color palette. Bonnie has chosen to glue the entire image to the page, writing notes below the images as reminders of what processes she used to create these interesting images.

There are a number of things that are pleasing about this image. She has used a very small gelatin plate (about 2.5 b 3.5 inches) and because the top of the plate had sharp edges—the bottom edges are rounded—she gets a nice sharp border that helps to define the image. The little irregularities make it more interesting. Look carefully and you can see her notes at the bottom.
Thank you Bonnie!

Gelatin Print Book

The three hour workshop on gelatin plate printing didn't leave us with much time to complete the accordion fold books and so it was a treat to have a member bring over her completed book. Sue C. did her homework and the results are terrific. Each image is glued only at the top margin making it possible to lift the print and read its description underneath.

The printed pages were handed out at the workshop with the idea that they could be cut to size and incorporated into the book. The printed pages provide a title, a list of techniques to be used in the workshop, details on caring and disposal of the gelatin plate, and a list of additional resources.

This duo is a negative and positive print of cilantro printed on pink paper. Sue also cut pink paper for the front and back of the accordion fold book and added a delicate ribbon to tie when the book is closed. 
Are there any others out there to share?

Gelatin Printmaking Day

Book artists were "ready to roll" as they assembled their brayers, inks, papers, lace, leaves, stamps, string, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, embossed wallpaper, stencils, strips of paper, embossed paper towels, corrugated cardboard, and bits of nylon mesh. After everyone set up their workspace there was a presentation of the finer details of rolling ink onto the brayer. Use of the color wheel was demonstrated and then people were ready to create backgrounds using only motions of the brayer or by subtracting ink from the plate with the use of bubble or plastic wrap. That done we moved on to negative prints (inking the plate, placing a leaf on the place, and then printing) as well as positive prints (not re-inking, removing the leaf, and then printing). The gelatin plate is particularly good at producing positive prints, revealing detail that seems three dimensional. Ghost images (a second printing without re-inking) were also discussed.

The four prints on the left are negative prints (a term picked up from drawing classes) and the fern on the right is a positive print resulting from printing after the fern was picked up from the plate. The print in the middle of the bottom row is translucent because it was printed on parchment paper.

This print is only about 2.5 by 3.5 inches but the detail is remarkable. The background pattern was formed using an embossed paper towel. This is a positive print. Clicking on any of these images will produce a larger image and this one is worth a closer look!
One of the advantages of working with a large, enthusiastic group of people is that we learn more than working alone. There were problems with the some of the black and dark blue inks; the gelatin plate didn't accept the ink as well as other colors. It was also important that there be a thin layer of ink on the brayer, mixing inks is best when done on a palette rather than using the brayer rolling surface, and it pays to sit by someone who has complementary colors!


To see these images and more, please use the following link. Once the Picasa window you have the following options: 

• click on the first image to see a larger image, using the arrows at the top to view the rest of the photos. There is also an option for "full screen".
  

• choose to view a slideshow of images.
  

GELATIN WORKSHOP PHOTOS


TO LEAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 

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Gelatin Plate Printmaking Workshop

Note measurement change below, in red.

Michele O. will be teaching a Gelatin Plate Printmaking workshop for our January 2010 meeting. This is a process that requires no press and uses quick-drying water-based inks. We will use plates made from gelatin and explore design, color, texture, value, and imagery using stencils, direct painting on the gelatin, and transfer techniques. The finished product is considered a monoprint, but it is possible to print a second or even third image. Small gelatin plates will be provided (2.5 by 3.5 inches), but participants are strongly encouraged to make their own larger plate to bring to the workshop. 

Bring the following (two people can share items 1 and 2):

1. At least one tube of Speedball block printing ink, water soluble, in whatever color you would like to use. These can be purchased individually at The Art Center (Eureka/Arcata) or Ellis Engineering Eureka and NORBAG members get a 10% discount).

2. Brayer: soft black rubber sponge roller or soft beige rubber roller (Ellis Engineering, The Art Center, Michaels). No hard black rubber rollers or inexpensive sponge rollers.

3. Surface for rolling ink:  glass plate, small cookie sheet, small plastic chopping mat or plastic placemat.   
  

4. Surface on which to place gelatin mold: piece of glass, cookie sheet, plastic chopping mat or plastic placemat.  

5. Clean rags or paper towels; 

6. Spray bottle (for water).

7. Assortment of paper pre-cut of 4 x 5": drawing paper, printmaking paper, old phonebook or book pages, coffee filters…whatever you want to try printing on. Be generous—we’ll probably be making quite a few prints. For those bringing your own gelatin plate from home, which we strongly encourage you to do—you’ll get more out of the workshop that way—you should also bring an assortment of some bigger papers, slightly larger than your plate .

You’ll need these supplies for the accordion sample book:

1. One 5.5 x 22" sheet heavy-weight paper, grain short for accordion book.

2. glue stick
3. bonefolder. 

You are encouraged to 

bring any of the following:

1. Cheesecloth, string, leaves, flowers, feathers, bubble wrap, lace, paper doily, fun foam, and anything else that can withstand getting paint and gelatin on it for purposes of creating images on the printing plates.

2. Small, soft paintbrush suitable for water based paints.

3. Metal or plastic palette knife. 

You’re also encouraged to make and bring your own gelatin plate. This is easier than you might think. It shouldn’t require too much kitchen prep time. The longest part of the process is spent waiting for the gelatin to solidify. You should do this the night before in order to allow enough time for it to set up properly.

Making a Gelatin Plate:

1. Use a glass or metal pan with a smooth bottom. A Pyrex pan 7 x 5" inches is a good size. You don’t want this to be too large.

2. Place the pan on a level surface and fill with cold water to the depth of ¾ to 1 inch. Pour the water into a measuring cup to determine the amount of water to be used.

3. Determine the amount of gelatin. For each cup of water you measured you will need 2 envelopes of Knox gelatin or 2 TBS of quality bulk gelatin.

4. Pour half the water into the pan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Let the gelatin granules swell until the mix looks like applesauce. Gently stir.

5. Boil the rest of the water and add to the gelatin applesauce. Stir gently until the gelatin is dissolved.

6. Gently drag a paper towel or piece of paper across the top of the gelatin to remove bubbles.

7. Leave the gelatin pan on the table until it begins to set. Then move it to the refrigerator, where it should stay until it is solid.

8. Cover and bring to class!


Michele also has a post about making these gelatin plate monoprints, with links to additional resources, at her blog.

Annual Holiday Card Exchange

North Coast Book Arts Guild

Annual Holiday Card Exchange

2009

Handmade Card by Andrea Penn,

Tennessee 

This event is a favorite with our book artists. Members sign up to make cards and then make enough cards for everyone who signed up. It is the only exchange where we meet at someone's home and have food! It's a very joyful occasion where we get to appreciate the creativity of a large number of members from all over the United States as well as some of our international members. So, for those who attended this exchange and for those who could not, the following photos may help you enjoy some of the activities.

 

 

After collecting one of each set of cards members relaxed in Sandy's living room with its beautiful holiday decorations and listened as each colophon was read. If you have never participated in an exchange this is really one you should consider. 

 

Two of our members drove all the way from Sacramento with their sets of cards. 

 

You might notice that no one is eating yet. Food plays second fiddle to books. However, offerings of food were almost as exciting as the cards.

 

 

Many of us will never forget this exchange because we were missing a set of cards from a member in Portland. She mailed them FedEx but they had not arrived the morning of the exchange.  When we found out that they had finally arrived and were going to be delivered by a member's husband, the results were an exciting end to this year's exchange.

Thank you Jerome!

 

And here they are, over thirty handmade casebound books.

For photos and colophons of all of the exchange cards, visit our website!

Happy Holidays to you all!

 

Our December Meeting

It's time again for our winter gathering. We will not be having a meeting/workshop in our usual space. We'll be meeting at Sandy V.'s house Saturday December 12 at noon. Everyone is invited. It is a finger food potluck, so, if you are able to, please bring a dish to share (dessert, chips, cheese and that sort of thing). Some of our out-of-town members are even planning on joining us! We look forward to meeting you.

This is also when we have our winter card exchange. Thirty people signed up by deadline, and the variety of cards to see is sure to be impressive. It’s always great to be inspired by what our members are doing.

This is our one meeting of the year that is held in a private home and does not involve a workshop. It’s our time to relax, talk shop about books and enjoy the fellowship and card-making creativity of our fellow artisans and book lovers. It will help fortify you for the holidays. We hope you can join us.

Directions to Sandy's house are in the newsletter on page 2, or you can contact Michele O., our helpful president, if you need clarification.