Category: Print Design

Even though I’ve got my new Gocco, I’ve not abandoned the big prints – so I think it is great that there is a new website for The Badger Press – www.badgerpress.org for the latest news about courses, and events happening in the studio. Its always a busy place and its one of the most enjoyable weekend, I’m always looking forward to the next booking. Also to mention here a series of articles in Ready Made about three wonderful screenprinters including Jason Munn who makes amazing work for notable indie rock bands including The Decemberists – check out Jason’s work at www.thesmallstakes.com – its inspiring and beautiful, and if I can get even a little closer to that sort of thing when I got The Badger Press, then I’ll be very happy.

A big thank you to the kids in Japan – they are both fab and have treated me to the gift of gocco and I’m hoping to get started as soon as possible. I will be the envy of all my screenprinting friends. I have to say, these days all I get is junk mail, so its so nice to get something, and you can’t beat a parcel from Japan. Look at the badges, aren’t they great?

all apologies for the lack of posts recently – its been a mad couple of months. I just wanted to let you all know that I’m starting a new job in January at a design consultancy in Southampton. Lots of good things to report and I’m very excited by the prospect of lots of very interesting clients. Its going to be a big change, but its the one I’ve been waiting for.

*promise to look at dogs looking up post and sort out photos etc if I get a little time over crimbo, but safe to say its still a hot topic.

Also, new ceiling, will post final photo soon as I can.

Digital is so last year, what you need is a bit of paper tucked in your back pocket, one that you can change without powering up, one that won’t cost you more than a couple of pence, and will keep all the numbers of the local takeaways available in a flash. Make yourself a pocketmod. I saw this in ready made mag and thought it would be quite useful. You can make your own custom version and even download a little desktop app for Mac and PC.

Almost got the Weezer cd with this image on it – it’s very rare and called “The Lion and the Witch”, but I got pipped at the post. Nevermind. In truth I only wanted it for the wonderful kozyndan illustrated cover. They are two L.A illustrators who have a great site and a blog. I like the detail of these drawings, the views they present, but be warned, you get lulled into thinking they depict real scenes, and then you notice very strange things happening, that you’re somewhere a little bit different.

Also wanted to mention Olivier Kugler who has been cropping up in the newspaper with his beautifully illustrated documentary pieces. There were some great images when the BBC did their China week, at least I think that was the connection. Anyway, I like the scratchy style, oh, here’s the picture I mean, and again the detail and shadow.

Just got back from a fruitfull weekend at The Badger Press, where I tried out a few things, some worked, some were less successful, but all good and still learning and developing. I always come back with heaps of ideas for the next sessions, Its great to be inspired for a change. I put some of the pieces up a set at flickr so that you can have a look if you want. So now I’m going to relax and watch something good on TV and then crash out.

Sorted through a pile of cards and papers we picked up on our trip to the states. Have tons of postcards, if you want any drop me a line and I’ll do you a goodie bag – nothing special, just a few cards. We found this great shop in San Francisco, just up from the hotel which sold really great stationery, and we stocked up with thank you notelets for the wedding, vintage postcards of California and I bought a small sketchbook too. It feels like a long time ago now, but finding mementos from our trip helps to keep the pictures fresh.

New site, new home for imakethings, and I got some photos in my inbox the other day which I might post up. It looks really cool out there in Hokkaido. Hoping we might get to visit some time – its on the list. There is a Japanese version of the site which I quite like, and which has been translated by clever bi-lngual people.

Having a Jam with Rod and Kerry on Friday, and I am trying out a new toy, the Boss – Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal which I got from Nevada – Let’s hope it does what it says on the box. I”ve also got new strings which are quite fat for a nice chunky sound.

Comments now open – what did you have on your mind Mr Groves?

Great Tutorial on Screenprinting. I’ve been looking at a way of setting up a small studio at home and this is perfect. It also stopped me from bidding for an exposure unit, which ended up a little over my budget. I think the tricky bit is still in setting up the lamp and Floodbulb, and then working out how long to expose the screen for. I’ve got two weekends booked at The Badger Press, so I’ll try and get some advice. I’m looking forward to spending time in the workshop – I think the pieces I did last time were too formal and worked out and I’m keen to try and free up the process more than I have in the past – I might as well as printed it out on an inkjet.

Talking of which, Epson cartridges can’t be recycled by any charities. I found out that they incinerate the cartridges and use the heat generated to make electricity. This is suppose to be the most eco friendly way to get rid of them, but its still a shame that you can’t make a few pennies for a good cause. If you want to do this, then Actionaid can help.

If you do want to send your Epson cartridges back to Epson, then send them to this address: Service Materials Management (SMM) EPSON Telford Ltd. Hortonwood 40, Telford,Shropshire,TF1 7YD

***Looks like the tutorial has been taken down, which is a shame because it was very good, however, as I’m going in a fortnight, I’ll take some photos and try to put together a how to screenprint.