A NEWSLETTER FROM DAN
Greetings to everyone, with hope that you are all enjoying this beautiful summer. It's been quite a while since I've written the newsletter, since our wonderful Esperanza left, who used to write it frequently.
Please try and read this whole newsletter, as there may be something of interest and importance to you! (Lots of announcements and a bit of vital information enclosed).
First off, if you do not wish to receive any more newsletters from us, please hit 'reply" and simply put 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.
The new plates
are perfect in almost all ways. However, I've found some aspects with the new material that needs specific attention and is different than the old plates.
1. After printing and cleaning the plates, (if you happen to clean with water and soap), its very important that all water is removed and that the plates are blotted and post exposed again. If not, random cracks will appear in the surface.
2. Exposure timing is a bit more crucial. The timing factor is shorter for the most part, and the latitude of perfect exposure is much narrower. You may wish to 'bracket' your testing times, until you have it down to perfection.
3. The plastic cover sheet is a very positive attribute to the plates, EXCEPT when you forget to remove it.
4. Cutting a Solarplate is easy, and one should remember to take the falloff portion and trim the lip with another cut. If the lip is left on, good contact is prevented along that edge. Cutting a plate will also cause a slight separation of the plastic film from the plate, in which case you may wish to burnish it down again with a paper bone or pocket comb. Note that if the separated plastic and plate are stored for a long time, the edge can become oxidized and may print differently.
5. There is a high quality beautiful film which, very unfortunately, does not work consistently with the combination of our plates and our light unit. It is called Pictorico. Although the film and artwork look great, a strange blotchy like surface appears in the print....
Please avoid Pictorico!!
According to experts, the polymer in our Solarplates is more environmentally safe than other brands of 'stinky' polymer plates. The different chemistry is also the reason for Solarplate being totally water soluble. Other brands are water miscible, (meaning that polymer particles may remain in your plumbing and septic system).
Our new plates expose much quicker than the old ones. Our light box prepares the plate with the aquatint exposure in only 45 seconds. Art is exposed separately, face down, for as little as 10 seconds up to 30 seconds (this cuts off about 90 seconds for each exposure).... although shortening exposures by approximately 90 seconds may not seem like much. However, in classroom and workshop situations, shorter timing is very helpful with accomplishing greater volume.
The price of the Solarplates is also better, but still become expensive if wasted when mistakes occur. Our new Solarplates are also a harder surface than the old ones, creating less plate tone.
Our standard sizes now include small plates down to 4X5 inches while our extremely large plates are 23X33 and 33X46.75 inches. For a small fee, these GIANT and JUMBO plates can also be custom cut to your specifications.
FEEDBACK!!!!
What do you think?? We'd like to include your comments and suggestions, and the images and techniques that you've come up with, if you would like to share.
Have you been using the sun successfully in your area?
How is your timing and where do you live?
What about a different exposure unit and what kind of times do you find most successful?
These questions and answers will be published in our next newsletter.
WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIES
SAG HARBOR, NEW YORK
Here at the home and studio of Dan Welden, where creativity abounds in a hustle bustle/ serene/ country environment in the 'Hamptons of Long Island'.
1. Occasional residents and interns work and reside here
2. Exhibitions, readings, meditation, drum circles, dance and movement sessions, qui gong and projects galore happen here.
3. Collaborative sessions in printmaking....
4. Contract printing....
5. Consultations and image development
AND.....
THERE IS TALK AND DISCUSSION
about a waterfall in the back hills of the Catskill Mountains, just down the road from the 25 mile long 'Pepacton Resevoir' and the 'Beaverkill Trout Stream'. An old farmhouse, where plans are being formulated to develop a little printmaking center for 'retreat and resident' purposes... We would be looking for a manager/caretaker/printmaker with imagination, vision and the ability to 'rough it', wilderness style. Drop us a note if you are interested in relocating to an isolated country living location. Hilton style applicants need not apply.
AND... WORKSHOPS GALORE.....
ART NEW ENGLAND July 23-30
Bennington College, Vermont, (Art New England Workshops)
TWO RIVERS PRINTMAKING STUDIO July 31-August 1 (FULL)
White River Junction, Vermont
EAST END ARTS COUNCIL August 22-25
Riverhead, NY
(Special Residencies) Contact: Diane Giardi 631-727-2900
OMEGA CENTER
Rhinebeck, NY
MID-AMERICA PRINT CONVENTION 3PM to 4:30PM Fri Oct 7
University of Louisville,
Louisville, KY
Demonstration
THE ART ESTABLISHMENT Oct 14-15-16
Bethlehem, PA
Solarplate Workshop (contact Ellen Flynn 610-807-9201 or flynns96@gmail.com)
ARTIST'S ASSOCIATION OF NANTUCKET Oct. 22 & 23
Nantucket, MA
Non-Instructional Residency-
Dan Welden will work along with participants, providing necessary help (in both technical and aesthetic challenges).
CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING November 9,10,11
Norwalk, CT
REVIVAL SURVIVAL
(a special workshop dealing with recycling 'reject' impressions into art)
ART STUDENTS LEAGUE OF DENVER, CO.
(special lecture- Thurs. Dec. 13 @ 6:30 PM)
(3-day workshop: 9AM to 4PM, Dec 14-16)
Contact: Ama Mills-Robertson
a.mills@asld.org
or call:
303-778-6990 x1107
AND THEN, THERE'S 2017...
PERU IN JANUARY
which will consist of a two part adventure (
1-2 weeks)
ESCUELA SUPERIOR AUTONOMA de BELLAS ARTES, Cusco Jan. 23-27
5-day art residency and Opportunity to participate in an International Gallery Exhibit
(prior to residency you are invited to have the option of experiencing an exciting and inspirational adventure tour with
Dan flowing
from Machu Picchu to Cusco).
CALIFORNIA
IN FEBRUARY
NIMBUS ARTS Feb 16-19
St. Helena, Napa Valley
JOYCE WILSON GALLERY Feb 21-22-23
Santa Barbara
Contact JW@JoyceWilson.com 805-682-2955
FLORENCE, ITALY IN AUGUST
A RUMOR!!!!
Dan has been invited back to
Santa Reparata, the school where he had his 10 year program....yes, it's in Florence, Italy. Its not 100% definite yet, but there is a possibility that Dan and his wonderful faculty associates will be creating a NEW program at in August of 2017. If this happens, you can be certain that the program will fill very quickly, so....it would be great to know of your interest.
YOU THINK THAT'S IT?
GUESS AGAIN....MOST IMPORTANT IS......
I'm back on the book!
After several years of diddling around, procrastinating and being somewhat depressed about the old plates and researching the new ones, I've gotten back on track with a new burst of energy and have been writing again. I have a very interested publisher willing to work with me.... they are also interested in unique images done with the process.....I mean unique! No cheesecloth, leaves or lace, but images leaving a lot to the imagination, filled with mystery!
Send your images with a note to us, and indicate "Book" in the subject line, with complete identification on the work, listing your name, size of work and a short description of your process.
HAPPY PRINTMAKING TO EVERYONE!
Dan Welden
