If at first you don't succeed, try try again

Artist Anne Dykers has been working with us for a while on an artist book. The concept was solid, the papermaking-hand beaten gampi, formed in long horizontal sheets-went off without a hitch, and then she was ready to print her text. Oh boy....
She tried a couple of different methods of printing text, but ran into some problems. You see, because gampi paper contains long texturous fibers, printing can be tricky. It can cause uneven printing if you screenprint on it, or damage type if you letterpress print on it.
So Anne looked to our digital associate, Franc Rosario, who helped her inkjet print the text on her paper. It worked like a charm! Those crafty two even made a template, so the text would print exactly where Anne wanted it.look how clear and crisp the printing turned out!

see what our intens have been up to!

For the past few weeks, our winter studio interns, Melissa Salazar and Anna Spelman, have been working on thank you notes to send out to all the wonderful people who support Pyramid Atlantic.

The project started in the paper studio, where Anna and Melissa, with the help of Maria, an intern from Swarthmore College, made paper from cotton rag. White cotton with a bit of black mixed in created a gray-blue paper the interns used for one of the thank you cards:

The girls also used white cotton rag to create a lovely thick white paper used in the rest of the cards. Different moulds and deckles created several different paper sizes, allowing for a good deal of variety in the shape and feel of the cards. After cutting the paper down to size, the interns started the letterpress process, setting type for 4 different cards.



After a long day of printing the interns had 4 styles of cards, which they went on to embellish with stitching and vellum accents.


We are very excited about how everything turned out. Keep an eye out in your mailbox...you just might be getting one of them!

Friday-Free-Fun-Night for Members

This month we have a very exciting activity planned for members!

Free Blocking Printing lesson with Sabeth Jackson
Friday September 25, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00PM

Come and learn how to make hand carved stamps for printing on fabric and paper with Relief Printing Associate Sabeth Jackson!

You will get to experiment with image transfer, carving a block, and hand printing. You can bring your own image for the block (no larger than 4"x 5.5"), or you can use the materials provided. No tools or experience necessary, just bring your crafty-self, and have fun!

Due to popular demand, Friday's free block printing class is full. Stay tuned for next month's free workshop. Again, this is a Pyramid Atlantic Member's only event. Become a member! and get on board for the next free block printing workshop! Email Sabeth to RSVP for the class.

American Visionary Art Museum and Pyramid Atlantic team up!

Next week Sabeth Jackson and I will be teaching at class called Mapping Your World at the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. Using handmade paper, relief printing, and paper sculpture, students will make their own unique map of Baltimore.
If you have never been to this unforgettable and original museum, I highly recommend a visit!