APRIL BERUBE-BUG / THE PROCESS

I decided to do a 2-color print for this months Berube-Bug, and I'm not sure what the reasoning was behind adding all of the baby bugs to the "Mommy", but all of the coverage and oversaturation of "OctoMom" may have seeped into my subconciousness as I was drwaing this.

Below is documentation of the process of what it entails to create a 2-color linocut print.

INITIAL SKETCH ON LINOLEUM


1ST COLOR INKED LINO


1ST COLOR / PRINT


2ND COLOR / INKED LINO


2ND COLOR / PRINT


FINAL PRINT

THE VORTEX 04.08.09 - HEADS WILL ROLL

I've seen this truck on my street doing repairs for the past week, loved their added visual display element.

MARCH BERUBE-BUG / CHINE-COLLE' TECHNIQUE

For this months addition to the Berube-Bug mailart project I decided to go a slightly different route. Still using printmaking and linocut as the primary method of creating multiple images, I decided to implement a technique call Chine-Colle' to add color to each and every postcard going out. Here is a brief definition from Wikipedia of what the Chine-Colle' technique of printmaking entails.

"Chine-collé is a special technique in printmaking in which the image is transferred to a surface that is bonded to a heavier support in the printing process. One purpose is to allow the printmaker to print on a much more delicate surface, such as Japanese paper or linen, which pulls finer details off the plate. Another purpose is to provide a background color behind the image that is different from the surrounding backing sheet."

"The final image will depend on the design and ink color of the printed image, the color and opacity of the paper to which the image is directly printed (plus any inclusions such as petals or fibers in that paper), and the color of the backing sheet."

- As you'll notice with the sample I'm documenting here, not all layered colors work that well. I have other prints from the edition where the color selection is far more successful but since I documented all of the steps with this particular color combination I figured I'd follow through and show the results, good, bad or otherwise.

*As far as the image for this months Berube-Bug, I'll leave that up to you for interpretation. ;0)

SKETCH ON LINOLEUM


INKED LINO W/COLOR PAPER DOT SELECTION


INKED LINO W/FIRST LAYER OF COLOR PAPER DOTS APPLIED


INKED LINO W/SECOND LAYER OF COLOR PAPER DOTS AND GLUE


FINAL PRINTED IMAGE


A FEW OF THE PRINTS

BOOK COVER / BRANDON LACY CAMPOS

On a recent trip to Washington D.C. to visit with Brandon, I had the opportunity to get some reference for work on the cover of the book of poetry Brandon is publishing later this year with accompanying images by my self.



The above lino here is a quick "sketch" I made directly on to a small piece of lino, approx. 4" x 4". The second image I created based on a reference pic of Brandon. At this point, this image is likely to be used as the book cover image.

CENTRAL PARK - EARLY SPRING

The weather today created the perfect environment for taking a walk through Central Park. Some of the trees were starting to bud, the crocus were blooming, and a Redtail Hawk was perched on the stone cliffs a few feet away from us on the edge of the turtle pond.

VIEW FROM BELVEDERE CASTLE


BRANDON LACY CAMPOS


REDTAIL HAWK


CENTRAL PARK WEST


MAKING DUMPLINGS - MEE NOODLE SHOP

WASHINGTON D.C.

I had a short trip to Washington D.C. to hang out with Brandon, talk about the book project and do some sight-seeing. We did manage to tour a bunch of the Smithsonian family of museums and saw some amazing artwork including a Paul Cadmus painting
“A Night in Bologna”


and a Thomas Hart Benton piece,
"Achelous and Hercules"


both of which I've only seen in reproductions. Unfortunately the chilly weather and freak snowstorm on Monday made running around a little more difficult than necessary and my original thoughts of getting some outdoor drawings done seemed impossible.

BRANDON - MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART / PORTRAIT GALLERY


LOUISE BOURGEOIS SCULPTURE / HIRSHORN MUSEUM


U.S. POSTAL DEPARTMENT BUILDING


U.S. POSTAL DEPARTMENT BUILDING


THE CAPITAL


WASHINGTON MONUMENT

FEBRUARY BERUBE-BUG / FIRST BATCH

I added a little color to this month's Berube-Bug. Seemed only appropriate as it's my version of a Valentine love-bug. Cards going out the the following: CANDACE PORTH/Phoenix Arizona, USA - LAURA PACTER/Naples Florida, USA - MEDWOLF/Battleford Sask, CANADA - JOE BERUBE/Belle River, Ontario, CANADA - MICHAEL KUDELA/Niagara Falls, New York, USA - CHUCK GATTUSO/Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA - EMMA KLEE/Baltimore, Maryland, USA - SERVANE MOREL/Bruxelles, BELGIQUE

Next batch hatching soon!!!

CALIFORNIA / PALABRISTAS

I had the pleasure of accompanying my partner, Brandon Lacy Campos and two of his fellow poets and spoken word artists, Rodrigo Sanchez-Chavarria and Lorena Duarte while they did a mini tour including appearances in San Francisco as well as San Jose. It was amazing to see the three of them connect with a freshman class of immigrant students in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco. The kids couldn't get enough and asked them to come back... every friday. LOL

IN THE CLASSROOM





All three brilliant poets and performers are part of the collective of Latino artists named "Palabristas" (Word Slingers), based out of Minneapolis, Mn.



Check out their personal pages to read more about each of them and what type of poetry they write. I guarantee, you will not be disappointed

BRANDON LACY CAMPOS


LORENA DUERTE


RODRIGO SANCHEZ-CHAVARRIA

FEBRUARY BERUBE-BUG / FINAL PRINT

FINAL LINOCUT PRINT

FEBRUARY BERUBE-BUG / AAAAAAH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a quick post here with the February Berube-Bug in the printing process stage. Actual print will be uploaded tomorrow when it's done drying and ready to be scanned.

INTIAL SKETCH ON LINO


LINO PARTIALLY CUT


LINO FINAL CUT / SCAN


INKED LINO