On Saturday we went to check out the Senior Art Exhibition from the graduates of UT. There were a lot of interesting works, some I liked and some I didn’t quite get but I always enjoy art encounters. After we saw the exhibit we walked around the rest of the building, the exhibit was housed at Flatbed Press, and we saw some other art on display but were we in for a treat.
One of the founders of Flatbed Press asked us if we wanted a tour. Of course! We saw some amazing machinery, got to see a print being made and I learned a teeny, tiny bit about printmaking. It’s fascinating.
You know why I love this stuff? Because even though I’m not an artist, and maybe I won’t ever learn any printmaking, I just get so energized after seeing behind the scenes of how artists work. I learn to appreciate different mediums and I find myself feeling a renewed sense of inspiration and look forward to the next time I’m involved in my own creative pursuits. For me it’s about pursuing a creative life no matter whether I’m bookbinding, journaling, stamping or whatever. It’s these things that make me happy and feed my soul.
Anyway, to get back on the subject of books, if you are interested in printmaking check out these wonderful titles from David R. Godine, Publisher (isn’t it serendipitous how I got this catalog a few days before getting to visit Flatbed?):
- Personal Impressions: The Small Printing Press in 19th Century America by Elizabeth M. Harris
- No Art Without Craft by Irene Tichenor
Now I’m off to dream about things I’d love to learn. Oh yes, and I still need to catch up on blog visiting.
I am so jealous that you got to see print making. Very Jealous. I can’t wait to see what else you do.
I love to attend artistic events also. I get inspired by other artists.
Ah, the only way we can have such an artistic life and not worry about money is to win the lottery or get money from a rich uncle.
I don’t have such uncle and I never win lotteries, so…
I love that energy too. 1001 ideas will go off like lightbulbs. Feels rather addictive too…all that creative energy around you. That’s what I miss most from college – my art classes! 😛
How exciting! I’d love to go on such tours if given a chance! 🙂
You sound like I do when I see chefs in action! You say you aren’t an artist, but if it feeds your soul like that, then perhaps you should dive in! I always hope that if I hang with artistic types (like my sister) that it will rub off.
I have always been interested in printmaking. Thanks for the link to these books. Sounds like you had a nice visit.
I love seeing how things work like that too. The process is just as fascinating, if not more so sometimes, than the product itself.
sounds like a great exhibit…even if some of the work was confusing…lol
Sounds like a wonderful weekend. Very cool that you got a tour and a little demonstration.
Sounds absolutely fascinating! And inspiring. And you know, I think the line between arts and crafts is quite thin sometimes.
That sounds so cool!
That sounds like a wonderful and unique thing to experience.
The Mouth Piece – It was fun. I loved seeing the print coming through.
Isabel – I know you do. Remember when we’d go to all the gallery openings in Dallas? I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you win the lottery 🙂
Kisane – Exactly! I really think being around creativity/creative people makes you more fearless in your own attempts.
Melody – It really was a lot of fun and such an unexpected surprise!
Sandy – I always have a hard time using the word “artist” as I don’t have a formal education in art but all my life I’ve been attracted to creative pursuits. I’ve tried a lot of stuff 🙂
Lisa – Printmaking is fascinating isn’t it? The more I think about it, the more I’d like to learn more about it. I think it’d be a great complement to my bookbinding!
Literary Feline – So true! I loved seeing the big machines and all of what went into making one poster. It is so time intensive but so worth it.
Serena – I’m very open to modern/contemporary art but of course I still get caught off guard by maybe a single square of paint or something like that 🙂
Stefanie – It was. We also went to the bookstore so talk about a treat! 🙂
Nymeth – I agree that line does get blurred a lot. I sometimes wish there was another term to merge the two because although I’m not too comfortable saying I’m an artist, I’m also finding “crafter” can be a loaded word too sometimes. People may not take you as seriously.
Jessica – It was 🙂
Claire – Now if only we could get tours like this at every exhibit we went too! 🙂
What a perfect opportunity for you!
So…I’ll skip the lecture about how making books is art and of course you really are an artist and instead say how cool it was that you were able to get that tour.
I know exactly what you are saying when you talk about being energized by seeing how artist’s work. I am forever fascinated by the process, by artist’s work space, etc. Seeing that ‘nuts and bolts’ part of the creative process is amazing to me.
jenclair – it was. we were so excited!
Carl V. – You made me smile. I think I just get very intimidated as I don’t have that arts degree and all that! But, luckily most of the book artists I’ve come across are also self-taught or came into bookbinding later in life so it’s a wonderful, welcoming community. And, yes the “nuts and bolts” part fascinates me. I mean, I get all crazy just looking at artists’ studios – I want to see what they have on their walls, what music they play, everything. I want to soak up the creativity.