Paul Moxon's Vandercook Maintenance Workshop

Looks like our visit from Paul Moxon was not a moment too soon. That flat space Paul is pointing at? Should be a nice smooth wheel. We found out why our grippers weren't coming up well. Cross you fingers we can find someone who can machine us a new one. Job one today.

The workshop was really great, as was Paul's talk on the history of the Vandercook press. We had no idea that the Vandercooks lived here in Evanston, and that R.O. was a Northwestern grad. The Vandercook Centenary Bundle will be up at our shop through April. If you want to see what 100 (ish) printers did to celebrate the 100th birthday of the presses we love, feel free to drop by for a visit. We really love visitors. If we haven't met yet, we'll be easy to spot. We'll be the ones with a rag in one hand and a can of WD40 in the other.

Paul Moxon Talk This Saturday. 8:00 p.m.

The poster's done. Anyone else know the movie 24 Hour Party People? When the posters always got delivered to the gig they were meant to advertise? Well, we're four days ahead of that.

Anyhow, we really hope you can come! 8:00 p.m.

Questions? 847.475.7674

Paul Moxon's Coming! Paul Moxon's Coming!

We're hard at work letterpressing a poster for our upcoming events celebrating the Vandercook's 100th anniversary.

So you know before the poster's done. . . . Paul Moxon will be giving his talk on the History of the Vandercook at 8:00 on March 13th - 1123 Florence Avenue. Come one, come all. We're also going to be displaying some of the amazing pieces from the Vandercook Centenary Bundle that Paul organized. 100(ish) printers from all across the globe did 100(ish) prints to honor the 100th anniversary of the presses we love so much. Come and see this incredible show. If you can't make opening night, we plan on having it up for a month. Just give a call for our hours, and we'll happily show you our collection. We're in it. We're so proud.

Our Linoleum Block Printing class yesterday.

Can't tell if these kitties look scared or delighted.

Do they know they're on an ice cream cone?

Maybe adding the "yum!" was a little dark.

We'll be offering this class again. Add us as a friend on Facebook to see what everyone did.

The Illustrated History of the Vandercook Press with Paul Moxon

It's official. Paul Moxon will be giving his illustrated talk on the history of the Vandercook press on March 13th at 8:00.

We're also going to get our own Vandercook Centenary Bundle up on the walls in true gallery fashion. We're so excited, and hope you'll come and see it. April Sheridan will be leading a cemetery tour to visit the graves of the Vandercook family.

Don't miss it.

Okay, blog readers, yes, both of you. Paul Moxon is coming here - Saturday and Sunday, March 13th & 14th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. We are also planning a field trip after the Saturday session to the cemetery where the first Mr. Vandercook is buried led by the lovely and talented April Sheridan.

We're hoping that after that, Paul Moxon will share his presentation on the history of these presses we love so much. We will also at that time display the fabulous Centenary Bundle. 100 (ish) broadsides printed on Vandercooks across the globe to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Vandercook press. It's a glorious collection, and we'd say that even if we weren't in it. But we are.

There are truly only a few spots left in the Vandercook Maintenance class. Understanding the workings of the press is important to making one a better printer - whether you ever plan on owning one or not. btw . . . . I never planned on owning one, and now I have two and the care and feeding of a third. You never know, but it never hurts to be prepared.

Stay tuned here, both of you, and learn more. We're going to post everything here first in the hopes that you invite your friends. We're also going to be posting more often. Promise. Like as soon as I find the right cable, pictures coming from the latests Sheehy designed Vogel & French printed Oneiris series broadside.

Melissa Jay Craig's work will be featured in a show at Vespine Gallery (www.vespine.org) beginning November 6th, 2009. She'll be here talking about her work on November 15th, and teaching for us as well. Check out the "Workshops" section, and sign up today!