Paul Hughes | Mini Litho Book

We asked our assistant Paul Hughes to create a mini book to help explain the basic principles of lithography to our visitors. On the reverse of this hand printed edition is a view of the Byker Farm (complete with chickens and pig), Byker Bridge & Metro Bridge as seen from our back door for you to colour in. It will be available (while stocks last) during The Late Shows on the evenings of the 17th and 18th May, 7-11pm

Simon Woolham | The Wanderer

Simon Woolham is showing pop-ups, biro drawings and lithographs at 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe from 27th April until the 29th June.

"As part of this exhibition I spent a week occupying the front-of-house and behind the scenes areas of 20-21 Visual Arts Centre. Interviewing the staff, recording sounds and collecting stories, I aimed to build a picture of the building from the memories and recollections of those that have had it as their workplace over the last 10 years. From these discussions I created 'The Wanderer' that created a portrait and weaved the narratives around the fabric of the building." > Film on YouTube

Helen Baker

We have been contracted to work on a series of photo-lithos with Helen Baker, they will eventually be bound into a book. Tests have been run over the past few weeks and today saw the start of production proper.

Gordon Close | Approval to print

Over the past month we've been collaborating with Gordon Close. Often Gordon's drawings feature a distinctive orange under drawing, which we have incorporated in this lithograph.

He stopped by today to see the latest proofs and being satisfied with the result he has now signed the approval to print.

The Late Shows | Origami Frog

Rachael Kidd has been busy with the origami again, this time with a jumping frog. Some lucky visitors during The Late Shows (May 17th & 18th) will be able to print* their own frogs or purchase pre-printed frogs.

*final colour only and with a suggested donation.

Jeff Beekman | New artist

Jeff flew in from Oklahoma on the morning of Friday 15th and flew back out early on the morning of Saturday 23rd. During this brief visit time we had time to catch up about the old days back in Albuquerque and make a bunch of lithographs. Initial consultation turned into strategical planning and template making. Much drawing followed,then the plate making, colour mixing & proofing. Five approvals were signed which you can now view on the website > Jeff Beekman.

Rachael Kidd | Xenolith

Rachael began making 'Xenolith' back in January. We combined stones with a ball grained aluminium plate & a positive working photo-litho plate to create it. Press Assistant Paul Hughes can be seen sponging the blended flat for his colleagues project.

Xenolith
five colour hand printed direct lithograph
on white Somerset satin
Paper size: 9 x 12 5/8"
Image size: 6 1/2 x 10"
edition size: 16

Paul Hughes | New works

Paul has been working on a few pieces since he began assisting with us. The latest of these being 'Wynebau,' 'My Terribly Wonderful Foot' and 'Fflachio' were started at the end of last year and all now have been completed. 'Wynebau' and 'My Terribly Wonderful Foot' are classic line engraved lithographs which stem from the hard line etchings which Paul made for his undergraduate degree show a couple of years ago.

Fflachio
six colour lithograph on woodblock
on white Somerset satinPaper size: 9" x 5 15/16"
Image size: 6 13/16" x 4 13/16"
edition size 20

Happy New Year | Happy New Stone

At the end of last year we collected a pile of surplus stones from Manchester Metropolitan University Printmaking Department. They've been used for many years as ink slabs and are pretty nasty to look at, as well as pick up.

A careful chisel helps remove the ink build up on the edges before being leveled and resurfaced. The stone storage situation will have to be looked at again to find homes for them.

Thanks to Nigel Easter & Paul Hughes for being helping hand white van men and Howard Goody at MMU.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith (Maxïmo Park) came in yesterday to draw on a stone. This will be a donation for the Newcastle University Fine Art postcard auction on the 7th Dec.