Last weekend when we got snowed in I decided to get the new press working. We inked it up in a nice brick red ink, taped up the rails to raise the rollers to the proper height, slowly built up the packing to achieve a nice even impression, and got busy!

Test impression with a big piece of lead type went well,

so we locked up the text for a new card and printed about 250 cards. (One’s leg does tend to get tired after a bit, kicking the treadle for hours- but once I got into the rythym of it, I was able to hand-feed easily and turn out all those cards in roughly an hour.)

Chad also gave it a try- he needs a little practice but soon he’ll be printing linoleum blocks on CD sleeves for his band, Bear & Walrus.

Bowerbox Press is proud to announce the arrival of a new press- this little guy!

Purchased from the studio of Nancy Reinke in Alexandria, this press came to its new home in the middle of January. At only 345 pounds, it was a much easier move than the Colt’s (1800 lbs, 2 strong, experienced riggers, and a huge truck.) We took the flywheel off and removed the press from its stand for easy transport in the family’s minivan.

After a quick cleaning and repainting, it’s ready to go in its new home- hello, living-room-studio!

As far as we can tell, it’s a “United States Press”, manufactured in New York after 1887 by Joseph Watson. His company was purchased by the Kelsey company a little later, which may explain why the treadle looks just like the treadle on Kelsey’s floor model presses (seen at briarpress.org).  A couple of non-original chases came with it, included the spider chase seen above- great for doing small areas of type!

If anyone has more info about this press, please email me! val (at) bowerbox (dot) com

A new limited edition woodcut is available in my Etsy shop!

Heart

This block will be sealed and framed, so no new edition will ever be printed. Get yours while they last!

Doesn’t that look tasty?

I meant to post this earlier, but better late than never. A few months ago I designed a chocolate for Artisan Confections,  in Arlington VA. It’s ready to eat now, and I can’t wait to taste it. All of their chocolate varieties sound yummy- I wish I could have made it down to the shop before winter got dumped on my head, but with the roads I’ll have to postpone my trip.

(check out that first chocolate too- by fellow CCCM member Rachel Bone!)

Bowerbox Press will be taking part in the

Affordable Fine Art Gift Show

thrown by Saramar Studios (connection: my middle school art teacher is one-half of Patrinkets Jewelry!)

PATRINKETS and SARAMAR STUDIOS present
AFFORDABLE FINE ART GIFT SHOW

Local Artists share their works with easy price points for the Holiday Season

OPEN HOUSE RECEPTION
FRI NOV 6TH 6-9PM and SAT NOV 7TH 1-5PM

Shop in the privacy and comfort of our home studio, Refreshments and lite fare provided.

Available works from your favorite local Artists:

Val Lucas - Roger Miller - Mary Walsh Reynolds - Cathy Leaycraft
Carol Jean Bertsch - Theresa Novak - Katie Fisher
Michelle Dwyer - Thea Osato - Ben Ruble
Frank H. Simmonds IV - Patti Battaglia - Sara Murphy

Saramar Studios is located at:
3371 Saint Benedict Street
Baltimore Maryland 21229
(Directly behind Rheb’s Candies)

Hot off the press: the Snow Owl Holiday card, printed in a light blue and brown on 100% recycled paper. This is printed from 2 woodcuts.

Available singly ($4) or in sets of 8 ($20), as soon as I get my act together and post them in my shop

Snow Owl

A new set of A2 notecards, digitally printed on heavy paper.

These are birds commonly seen in Maryland in the winter, I look forward to their visits to the birdfeeder!

Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch and Slate-colored Junco.

Winter Birds notecards

The originals are small watercolor paintings. Look for this notecard set at my upcoming holiday shows!

Tonight, Friday October 9th:

SUPER ART FIGHT @ Metro Gallery

My friend Mikey is the defending champion- come tonight and watch him take on the competition!

Tomorrow, October 10th:

HEXCHANGE Print Exchange Show Opening @ Hexagon

Join me and tons of other great local printmakers as we showcase our Baltimore-themed print exchange! BYOB.

6-9pm

I took part in the Hexchange, a print portfolio exchange, last month. The opening reception is this Saturday. Come out and see my Rowhouses print, as well as all the other great prints from Baltimore and beyond! (I’ve seen a few prints but can’t wait to see the entire collection!)

October 10 - November 6, 2009: The Hexagon presents: Hexchange, an emerging artist printmaking portfolio with over 40 participants nationwide. Following the exhibition, Hexchange will become a part of the permanent collections at the International Printing Museum in Southern California, and Goya Contemporary and Nudashank Gallery in Baltimore. Hexchange will also travel to Philadelphia for satellite exhibition during the Southern Graphics Council in 2010. Individual prints and whole portfolios will be available for purchase for the duration of the show.

Participating printmakers include: Irma Alba, Sara Allred, Kathy Beachler, Kelsey Beyer, Sherry Blase, Rachel Bone, Graham Boyle, Miranda Bushey, Aisha Butler, Sarah Casamassima, Brandon Cox, Katherine Fahey, Greg Gazdowicz, Diana Nicollette Jeon, Tiffany Jordan, Lou Joseph, Val Lucas, Tonia Matthews, Melissa Mauro, Kathleen Mazurek, Heather McLaughlin, Ursula Minervini & Jon Poliszuk, Anthony Morrow, Chris Muccioli, Maggie Muth, Lauren Peterson, Ece Piper, Nikholis Planck, Cynthia Protzman, Matt Readout, Jasmine Sarp, Kevin Sherry, Caro Sturges, Mary Tasillo, Rachel Valsing, Kyle Van Horn, Siobhan Vicens, Linda Wilson, and Adam Woods. Organized and curated by Phuong Pham.

Opening reception October 10th, 6 to 8 pm, with light refreshments (BYOB).

The finished Ravens have rolled off the press today, and are waiting to be signed. Here’s the final print (and a peek at the text on the Vandercook, maxed out on my photopolymer base!) The poem text is actually less red than this picture, I am going to attempt to take a better photo.

The Raven, woodblock and photopolymer, 21x15.

Print will be up in my shop soon. For orders or inquiries please email val (at) bowerbox.com

Ready to print the text. Vandercook Universal 1 at Towson University.