Or at least that is what Dale Carnegie says.
As for me. I am frustrated out of my wits. I am desperately trying to remind myself of the good points, and I'm not saying that I don't have them, but right this very second, I want to bang my head against the wall.
So here is a short list of things that are frustrating, to be followed by things I love and am happy with because that is a much more positive note to end on.
1. The Gap. Trying to climb the ladder, hate having people beat me to it that have less experience than I.
2. KC guys. Why can't I bring myself to talk candidly when appropriate and shut my big mouth when if spews forth nonsense.
3. My big mouth. For previous reasons.
4. Other part-time printing employees. Who think they're above folding cards. Sorry pal, you print 'em, you'll fold 'em (eventually).
5. "Totally". Again, big mouth. I'm not fifteen anymore.
I have some other issues, but really, who wants to listen to anyone gripe? Certainly not me.
On to things I like.
1. My roommates. The best I could ask for.
2. KCPPCA. Sometimes a night for typesetting washes all the frustration away.
3. My bike. Same thing can be said for a bike ride.
4. Screenprinting. More love here.
5. Wearing my new boots. They make me feel powerful and sexy.
6. Evenings with Halliday and Terri. Excellent lady friends.
7. Working on my product line.
8. The West Bottoms. Everyday I find more to love.
9. same could be said for Kansas City. If only I didn't have to have a second job, or if only my second job could be more fun.
Showing posts with label printing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label printing. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Maximone to Halloween
Updates.* Finished Batrider poster. So far, it has had the most positive feedback of all my posters. Recently, I've renewed my love for screenprinting. Now if only I knew how to mix cmyk inks more to my satisfaction.
* The St. Maximone celebration was last Wednesday. The dress code called for white, naturally the Pistol crew arrived in black. There were half a dozen shrines set up, including one with a man who was chosen to take on the spirit of Maximone and accept the offerings to the saint. I made an offering, but I cannot say what it was.
Aesthetically, the night was very much up my alley. In fact, I've decided to build a new shrine when I return, ideally double decker, one floor to Maximone and one to Lucy.
* Halloween at the Pistol, went well, although not enough people showed up.
* Typeset my business cards and postcards - now I only must print them. Working on hacking away at that printing list. Must finish Pecos Bill!!!
* Kelly, a friend of Joe's from Houston, visited for a week or so. We had a fabulous time and I made a good friend in the process. Very oddly, we have matching wardrobes...needless to say she was a fantastic dresser.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Happy Anniversary Pistol!
Saturday was the Pistol Social Club's Fourth Anniversary.
I spent the morning (after Adam left) going between the farmer's market and Sunfresh purchasing ingredients for dinner. Eric was planning on coming as well as Joe's friend Maria. I'd decided to try my hand at bacon wrapped stuffed peppers and tamales. I just want to say I can make both just fine, but I'll get into that later...
At the farmer's market, I picked up some spices for the tamales as well as the jalapenos for the stuffed peppers. I also found a 14" mum plants for five dollars that made its way back with me.
At Sunfresh, I surprisingly found everything needed for tamales and the special cheese - queso fresco - for the peppers. I wonder if Fred Meyers has these ingredients. I know they have corn husks so I can only imagine they have everything else, well maybe not the queso fresco, there seem to be more Mexicans here in Kansas City.
I was tempted to buy a pumpkin, but I can annoy my roommates with my absurd love of squash at a later time.
Post grocery shopping I drove to the arts INKubator and screenprinted forty-two anniversary show posters. I was impressed with how well they turned out. I need to scan one or figure out this photo situation because they've gone over smashingly. To my astonishment, I finished three layers in four hours, screen drying time included. Either I'm getting better at printing or my design was very simple - maybe both.
On the way home, I grabbed some cases of soda to sell at the show - trying to make all that I can. I advertised the posters for ten dollars, although I probably should have done five, turns out hipsters are broke.
When the posters were set up and the soda in a cooler, I began the tamales and gutting the peppers.
The show started at ten (by which time the tamales were steaming in my ingenious little aluminum tent contraption) and featured Ill Ease as the opening act.
In between her act and the next, I found out that I can make a mildly mean tamale. Honestly, I was impressed. I didn't think my tamale dough would set up, but it did and the chicken meat inside was rather tasty. Granted, they were no Manny's tamales, but for my first time, they were alright. It must be the spirits of the hundreds I've eaten in my life that helped. It was bound to happen that I start making them myself sooner or later.
The second (and last) main act was Hearts of Darkness. I had to miss a few of their songs to pick up Eric, but we made it back in time to hear the last few of their two and a half hour set.
When the show wound up, we ajourned to the Ship for a night of carousing and partying until the wee hours of the morn. Overall, it was an excellent way for the Pistol to celebrate its day.
I spent the morning (after Adam left) going between the farmer's market and Sunfresh purchasing ingredients for dinner. Eric was planning on coming as well as Joe's friend Maria. I'd decided to try my hand at bacon wrapped stuffed peppers and tamales. I just want to say I can make both just fine, but I'll get into that later...
At the farmer's market, I picked up some spices for the tamales as well as the jalapenos for the stuffed peppers. I also found a 14" mum plants for five dollars that made its way back with me.
At Sunfresh, I surprisingly found everything needed for tamales and the special cheese - queso fresco - for the peppers. I wonder if Fred Meyers has these ingredients. I know they have corn husks so I can only imagine they have everything else, well maybe not the queso fresco, there seem to be more Mexicans here in Kansas City.
I was tempted to buy a pumpkin, but I can annoy my roommates with my absurd love of squash at a later time.
Post grocery shopping I drove to the arts INKubator and screenprinted forty-two anniversary show posters. I was impressed with how well they turned out. I need to scan one or figure out this photo situation because they've gone over smashingly. To my astonishment, I finished three layers in four hours, screen drying time included. Either I'm getting better at printing or my design was very simple - maybe both.
On the way home, I grabbed some cases of soda to sell at the show - trying to make all that I can. I advertised the posters for ten dollars, although I probably should have done five, turns out hipsters are broke.
When the posters were set up and the soda in a cooler, I began the tamales and gutting the peppers.
The show started at ten (by which time the tamales were steaming in my ingenious little aluminum tent contraption) and featured Ill Ease as the opening act.
In between her act and the next, I found out that I can make a mildly mean tamale. Honestly, I was impressed. I didn't think my tamale dough would set up, but it did and the chicken meat inside was rather tasty. Granted, they were no Manny's tamales, but for my first time, they were alright. It must be the spirits of the hundreds I've eaten in my life that helped. It was bound to happen that I start making them myself sooner or later.
The second (and last) main act was Hearts of Darkness. I had to miss a few of their songs to pick up Eric, but we made it back in time to hear the last few of their two and a half hour set.
When the show wound up, we ajourned to the Ship for a night of carousing and partying until the wee hours of the morn. Overall, it was an excellent way for the Pistol to celebrate its day.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Tuesday Tips - Letterpress
In an attempt to make my blog slightly more interesting, I thought I'd start a section called "Tuesday Tips". I can't promise they'll be good, and of course may be taken with a grain of salt since they are entirely my opinion. If people react well, then I'll keep it up, if not, I'll probably get bored of it and stop.
So with out further adeiu: here is installment number one: Letterpress
For the last four months or so I've been working at Hammerpress, letterpress and design studio. After pestering Brady, leaning over Matt's shoulder while he designs, and digging through everything I can get my hands on without being too intrusive, this is some of what I've found:
* Be creative with your type. Think of it in new ways. Turn wood type upside down and use the grain for an interesting background (do this only with wood type or previously damaged lead type, since lead is easily marred and wood can stand the strain). A row of lower case i's can quickly become a border placed end to end. Just because you don't have a lot of type, doesn't mean you don't have a lot of possibilities.
* Layer. First of all, all letterpress inks are more or less transparent with the exception of metallic. Use this to your advantage. Think about how shapes will look with another layer of ink on top of them, or how a layer of white underneath might make another color more dramatic.
Also, layer in the terms of your type. Reprinting the same layer in a different color, slightly off, will make a "shadow" that causes the second color to pop. For that matter, if you print the same layer right over the previous color, you might find the first color peeking through (especially with older type) and create a great sense of depth.
* Keep your hand on your paper until you can't anymore. Not too firm, but firm enough the paper is pressed against the timpin. This will help with registration - particularly larger pieces and fine details.
* When you pull your paper out - pull it straight up instead of at an angle. This will help avoid catching ink on the tail end.
* Color not dark enough? Add more ink (a little at a time of course), you don't necessarily need more packing. Too much packing could hurt the type, too much ink is just messy.
* Always print more than you need - up to one fourth of your total at least, you'll be happy you did.
* If you love something - print each layer in black on white paper, that way you can make a plate of it and reprints will be easy.
* Look everywhere for imagery. Old book title pages, vintage magazines, clipart books. Remember when you see a clipart book called "1200 images and ornaments", they aren't talking about christmas tree ornaments. Once upon a time, most of those things were actual type.
* Use the presses at school. This is my most important tip. Don't let the time you have on them go to waste. Finding an open press and type is incredibly hard when you're not at art school.
So with out further adeiu: here is installment number one: Letterpress
For the last four months or so I've been working at Hammerpress, letterpress and design studio. After pestering Brady, leaning over Matt's shoulder while he designs, and digging through everything I can get my hands on without being too intrusive, this is some of what I've found:
* Be creative with your type. Think of it in new ways. Turn wood type upside down and use the grain for an interesting background (do this only with wood type or previously damaged lead type, since lead is easily marred and wood can stand the strain). A row of lower case i's can quickly become a border placed end to end. Just because you don't have a lot of type, doesn't mean you don't have a lot of possibilities.
* Layer. First of all, all letterpress inks are more or less transparent with the exception of metallic. Use this to your advantage. Think about how shapes will look with another layer of ink on top of them, or how a layer of white underneath might make another color more dramatic.
Also, layer in the terms of your type. Reprinting the same layer in a different color, slightly off, will make a "shadow" that causes the second color to pop. For that matter, if you print the same layer right over the previous color, you might find the first color peeking through (especially with older type) and create a great sense of depth.
* Keep your hand on your paper until you can't anymore. Not too firm, but firm enough the paper is pressed against the timpin. This will help with registration - particularly larger pieces and fine details.
* When you pull your paper out - pull it straight up instead of at an angle. This will help avoid catching ink on the tail end.
* Color not dark enough? Add more ink (a little at a time of course), you don't necessarily need more packing. Too much packing could hurt the type, too much ink is just messy.
* Always print more than you need - up to one fourth of your total at least, you'll be happy you did.
* If you love something - print each layer in black on white paper, that way you can make a plate of it and reprints will be easy.
* Look everywhere for imagery. Old book title pages, vintage magazines, clipart books. Remember when you see a clipart book called "1200 images and ornaments", they aren't talking about christmas tree ornaments. Once upon a time, most of those things were actual type.
* Use the presses at school. This is my most important tip. Don't let the time you have on them go to waste. Finding an open press and type is incredibly hard when you're not at art school.
Things to do: not procrastinate
I spent Monday sorting out bank problems and getting back into the groove of screenprinting. It is a little like riding a bike, however I did forget how runny the INKubator's emulsion is.
Cool news that has to do with screenprinting:
1. The lead singer and manager of Hearts of Darkness is interested in turning my scratchboard heart into a t-shirt for their band. H.o.D. is a huge band in K.C. terms and this could mean good publicity for me.
2. I'll be selling version 2.0 of the anniversary poster at the show, and at 10 dollars a piece, I have a good feeling about this. Joe thinks they'll make some money. Who could say no? Three color, high quality art. I want to do Pistol Club t-shirts and/or posters as well, but with Adam arriving, I don't think I'll have time.
Post screen prep, I went to the Brink with some of the other members from the INKubator. It was one of the girl's birthday and we celebrated with Grits night, a bluegrass jam party, and grilled cheese.
I left around 9:30 and came home to watch Mad Men and finally make a break through on my illustration piece. Good for me.
***a printing side note***
Eric has been generous enough to offer his Heidelberg services. He works at another print shop where they make polymer plates and he is going to get me in on that so I can fast and easily make small items. I'm thinking I might make plates of my zine since all I need is a run of 250, that could be made in 30 minutes.
Cool news that has to do with screenprinting:
1. The lead singer and manager of Hearts of Darkness is interested in turning my scratchboard heart into a t-shirt for their band. H.o.D. is a huge band in K.C. terms and this could mean good publicity for me.
2. I'll be selling version 2.0 of the anniversary poster at the show, and at 10 dollars a piece, I have a good feeling about this. Joe thinks they'll make some money. Who could say no? Three color, high quality art. I want to do Pistol Club t-shirts and/or posters as well, but with Adam arriving, I don't think I'll have time.
Post screen prep, I went to the Brink with some of the other members from the INKubator. It was one of the girl's birthday and we celebrated with Grits night, a bluegrass jam party, and grilled cheese.
I left around 9:30 and came home to watch Mad Men and finally make a break through on my illustration piece. Good for me.
***a printing side note***
Eric has been generous enough to offer his Heidelberg services. He works at another print shop where they make polymer plates and he is going to get me in on that so I can fast and easily make small items. I'm thinking I might make plates of my zine since all I need is a run of 250, that could be made in 30 minutes.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Relaxation and printing meditation
Yesterday was a combination letterpress and reading day.
Also with a dash of homemade dinner thrown in for good measure for Diana and Robin. They have been excellent hosts. Robin made me breakfast this morning - french cinnamon toast!
After dinner we watched Roman Holiday with JP. He mentioned going over to his place to watch it, and since he lives in my old apt, I'm not quite sure I would have liked that. At the start of dinner I felt odd with him there, but I loosened up, since it is silly to harbor feelings against him. JP didn't not rehire me, or stress me out to the point of tears, or boot me from my home. He is just the guy who took my place, and that really isn't his fault.
Today is more printing, and then maybe scratch board? Or illicitly reading a book without buying it in Powell's.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
More Portland
Not having a home to distract me has been surprisingly refreshing.
There is nowhere to sleep until noon, nothing to straighten or clean, and no computer to sit endlessly in front of.
The only option I have for computers is Robin or Diana's (whose I don't want to abuse) or the ones at school. I have little to do other than my art all day because I am flat broke. In response, I have been slightly productive.
Yesterday Diana and I walked to breakfast where we met up with Robin. Walking home we explored some interesting hat shops and after we rested in their apartment until 3:30, at which point they had a meeting at school to attend. I busied myself with printing.
I worked on my sister's baby shower invite until the school closed. I wowed some folks with my new letterpress skillz and I think I started a new trend of turning wooden type upside down for the texture. We shall see how it jumps off.
At closing time, seven, Robin and I had some burritos and walked up to 23rd for some cake. We were going to take it to the park but realized we were more tired than we'd previously thought. Instead we sat down to watch Saving Grace.
Post movie, I promptly passed out.
Three things: 1. I got a comment that I looked nicely tan -go figure! 2. Printing raised my mood 100%, I feel very much relaxed when working with the press. 3. It is nice to see one's friends again.
Oh! did I mention Rick Steve's Europe is on Hulu ?!?!
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