January 2010 Archives
Here's the story of "Morel and Frog" By Gregorio Perez"Morel and Frog" was inspired by the illustrations of Arnold Lobel
in his childrens books about "Frog and Toad". Frog and Toad remind me
of my youth when my playground was the woods and creek behind our
house. They were days of exploration and imagination. They were days
spent laying in meadows, or next to old logs or along the creek bank.
The morel is the companion in this story. The frog is the main
character. The frog was inspired by a visit to Hidden Lake Gardens. I
noticed a Wood Frog in the Temperate House of the Conservatory. I had
my camera so I laid on the floor and took his photo. He didn't mind me
too much. I imagined him asking, "What are you doing down here?
You're too old to be laying on the ground aren't you?" I replied, "I
missed you frog. Don't you remember me? We used to play together." If
I were to write and illustrate this story it would be about catching up
with old Mr. Frog and remembering those days in the woods as a child.
"Morel and Frog" is a wood relief print or woodcut. I purchase
Shina plywood from McClains on-line printmaking store based in Oregon.
Shina is a soft wood harvested "selectively and sustainably" in Japan.
Like Basswood, it is a member of the Linden family. I use a
combination of woodcutting tools. Primarily I use Flexcut brand
woodcutting tools, but I recently purchased some "Namisei Moku Hanga
To" woodcutting tools that I'm still learning to use. Before I make my
first cut, I typically spend days conceptualizing new ideas in my
sketchbook. When an idea is born it is sketched out two or three more
times before it is drawn directly on the block. But before that
happens the block is treated with PVA glue and sanded smooth. Only
then does the woodcutting begin. After the image is cut into the block
a test print is made. The block is inked with a roller. I prefer to
use Akua Color brand ink. I use water soluable oil based inks to
eliminate the need for solvents and to increase the working time of the
ink before it dries. When I am satisfied with the block after the test
print I begin the process of printing the edition. Rives BFK is my
paper of choice. It holds up well to printing and also accepts
watercolor nicely. I do use a baren and hand press occasionally, but
due to rotator cuff issues I now prefer to use a Richeson Baby Press.
After the edition is made, I let the prints dry for approximately one
week depending on humidity before the prints are handpainted with
watercolor.
We love these new cards from the Arts and Crafts Press. Rich
colors and beautiful designs letterpress printed on creamy textured rag
paper, these cards are almost too nice to send (we've already framed a
couple). The Arts and Crafts Press is a small publisher founded by
Bruce Smith and artist Yoshiko Yamamoto which creates greeting cards
and artworks that are letterpress printed from hand cut blocks inspired
by the turn-of-the-century movement. We are also stocking some elegant
prints by Yoshiko Yamamoto as well as tiles she produced in partnership
with our friends at Motawi Tileworks. 
