Snapshot from the Library …
Images from a little book I came across this week in the Cole Library, called Fatherless Oberlus or the adventures of Patrick Watkins on Charles’ Island in the Galapagos a journal of a cruise made to the Pacific Ocean.
The wood engraved decorations are by G. Young, M. Webb, B. Cook, T. Naish, S. Green, K. Ambrose, S. Fraser and P. Andrews and its is printed under the direction of Robert Gibbings in the School of Art here at the University of Reading in 1936.
A plea for helpful advice … on Thursday
This week I fulfilled a dream and another step towards creating a book manually on a printing press. On Monday I went to Leicester and learned how to set type on eight pages. This was enough to make a small booklet. It was a wonderful experience and I came away with great hopes and the makings of a little book. Sadly, it would seem I wouldn’t be able to replicate the day without lots of tools and a press. The tools while not particularly expensive are unique to the practice and hard to get hold of.
Also …. What do I know about it? One day in and I am green!
Then, there is the press, again, not difficult to find, but expensive and also they are monsters. The likelihood of me finding any of the above was and remains unlikely.
So my dream is on hold. However, all is not lost, I have already secured the use of an Albion Press and studio time, it is without tools so I will have to find some supplies. Not so easy with my lack of knowledge; but I will go softly softly with a shopping list on Ebay.
I have also joined a couple of ‘societies’ and will look at the ‘for sale’ ads on members pages etc.
I do have a random selection of letterpress that will give me a start and I am a print maker so can engrave my own type high blocks.
So I remain hopeful and send good wishes.
For a couple of chases, a composing stick, a type-high gauge, furniture, quoins and a key and anything else I might need.
I do have funds so not begging; more asking for helpful advice so I don’t waste money!
Saturday’s vision and a prayer!
Seems appropriate to reblog this on a the week when I celebrate 5 years of blogging
Until this week I was blissfully unaware of ‘vision boards.’ A day or two ago Bodhisattva in training a dear follower ‘popped up or in’ with post that explained the concept .
It seemed like fun and a nice way in which to mark and celebrate my second anniversary of blogging.
When began 2 years ago I had not written a word creatively since leaving school 50 years ago. I was even less experienced in ‘social media’ or indeed blogging.
I hit the floor running and began a virtual journey of a lifetime, woven with a turbulent psychological excursion and real-time passages to Brazil and Europe, not forgetting a full-time career and family commitments with grandchildren and aging parents. So posting each day has been a mean challenge.
Over the last few weeks especially since returning from Brazil I have struggled most days not with ideas…
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Jubilant and then not
Ready for the next step …
As someone who suffers from depression, the highs and lows of my life become complicated. It has taken many years of treatment to establish some sort of balance and discover the differences between the two and indeed the similarities.
Also the degrees at which both affect my mood and well being … however is is not an exact science and do get it wrong and find myself doubting and aware of a downward spiral. Yesterday, for instance I enjoyed a very nice day in Leicester printing 8 beautiful pages for a book. It was a long journey and it all went according plan and I congratulated myself; I was jubilant. This morning, however the feeling of dread is as gripping as my previous joy as I think about the next step binding them into a booklet!
To Leicester for the day …
Today, I am going to Leicester to learn about the use of letterpress in my work. I have become interested in the incorporation of narrative and letters for a while. Since writing some poem in particular concrete poetry and making a book.
Making this deviation from my usual printmaking methods was not easy; I had become kind of comfortable and thinking that I had arrived; that the journey was over and it would be plain sailing from now on. Thinking that a change of direction might be a costly waste of time.
Weighing up the pros and cons and thinking that I have nothing to lose and much to gain; maybe this deviation will be a lot of fun … so onward and not yet giving up the day job.
Silent Sunday …
Bit of fun before breakfast
It has been a busy week so my ‘studio’ is a bit of a mess. So while I would like to prepare for my day in Leicester on Monday there are other things to do. So quickly before breakfast I have drawn and cut some type high lino. I didn’t intend to spend too long and it did feel like fun. The blocks are quite robust like ‘real wood’ that I use to engrave but of course the surface and cutting quality is quite different. The lino is generous and allows for some freedom; wood on the other hand is a hard task master … doesn’t suffer fools.
However, it will be good to see the difference while printing both with letterpress on a printing press. After breakfast I hope to proof this little bits of fun; and return to some tidying that will take me to elevenses … Have a good day
Wednesday’s wise women … mothers.
No shame in reblogging this …
We hear a lot about baby boomers; children who are born during the boom period after a war. Their existence; the opportunities and success they are bound achieve.
But what about the girl who is born fifteen years before a war. Her life is cut short; her education ended. Her opportunities will be null and void. Any hope of university, a chance to develop a career or indeed form a long and meaningful relationship and have babies will be dashed. Instead she will seconded to the war effort making arms, working on a farm or fighting on the front lines. After years of disruption and loss; she returns to her home if it is still there to pick up the pieces.
Without a complete education the girl is at the mercy of the homecoming heroes. To recreate the lost community. She becomes a machine to produce a future workforce, slaves…
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Weekly Photo Challenge … a Face
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I have dined out on this face many times … if not this one; but Brazilian Street Art that I continue to enjoy! …
Wednesday’s wise woman … Susan Utting
I was reminded of this on FB this morning … I had forgotten …
I heard Susan read her poetry at a Poetry Reading at Reading on Saturday. I have not listened to poetry since I was a child. As read by my mother or a teacher it was ot always a pleasing experience. Not because the poem was wrong or the reading poor – it was just not exciting -dull.
Having said that I remember later in the 1960s enjoying the storytellers such as Margaret Rutherford and Bernard Cribbins on the TV. Each evening actors would read a story on a programme on the BBC called Jackanory – designed to stimulate reading. The story-teller would transport me on an adventure or make a social comment to trigger thoughts, hopes, reactions – some small others life changing.
So when I heard Susan reading her few I was taken in a similar – I was wrapped in her word, as wannabe poet I was amazed when she read:-
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Coat Hanger Doll's House 