I am always looking for something new to print on. This week: Foil Paper. Lets just say its been a challenge. Special precautions have been taken, the foil paper is so sensitive and desperately wants your finger prints all over it. For the first time ever I am printing whilst wearing surgical gloves. That’s a lot of sweaty hand action. The room for error when block printing is high, foil adds an entire new dimension to that aspect. A few linocut guys told me I am insane for even trying to block print on foil, yes maybe. My best friend, used to look at me wild eyed when we were younger and say “If you don’t know the rules of physics- they don’t apply to you!” That has been my mantra. Hey, if you like the foils…buy em…I am not sure I will ever attempt foil printing again. Time for me to change my gloves… To purchase: http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/product/phish-foils-the-set
Tag Archives: block printing
Phish Magnaball
Here is my latest print. 7 Color hand drawn, hand carved and hand printed linoleum block print commemorating Phish’s Magnaball Shows at Watkins Glen, NY next weekend. The print measures 12 1/4 x 23 1/4 ish and is printed on 80 French Starch White Paper. The lady glows in the dark. Signed and numbered edition of 50. Available for purchase at: http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/product/phish-magnaball
By Popular Demand….Grateful Tube Artist Proofs now available.
Originally these were created as a give away for my poster collecting friends during the GD50 shows in Chicago. The original run of thirty was given out but I am still getting requests (every day). So, I am releasing my own proofs for purchase. Each print measures 8 x 8 and is hand printed on 80lb french Speckletone paper and signed and marked as an artist proof. Quantities are extremely limited. Proofs can be purchased here: http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/product/grateful-tube
For my fellow collectors…
My interest in gig posters began as a music fan. Through the years I have gone to “lots” of shows, too many to count. When I could, and when they were available I bought a poster. Before I knew it I was a poster collector. After almost two decades of collecting I started getting interested in making posters. Funny, all those posters I have collected over the years are like reference material to me now. For years I collected in a vacuum, nobody knew I collected and I really didn’t know anyone who collected. Through the internet that has changed. I have forged real life friendships with collectors all over the world. When I headed to the GD50 shows in Chicago I printed up a little something to give to my collector friends.
The print is rather small (approximately 8.5 inch square). Hand printed on French Medero Beach Speckletone paper (80 lb), which were actually scrap cutoffs from another project, as was the small block of linoleum. The entire 30ish piece edition was cut and printed while my 7 year old read and “Ant Man” book aloud.
Beer Thee Well
Better late than never. I just finished my offering for the Screens N’ Suds Charity Event scheduled to coincide with the Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well shows over the 4th of July Weekend. My print is a two color hand drawn, cut and printed linoleum block print. The print measures 12.5 x 15 and is printed on French Specktone Paper. The Print is signed and numbered edition of 30 and will be available at Screen N Suds event Ale thee Well on Sunday July 5th from 12- 4 pm at Galerie F located at 2381 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Il.
Jer thee Well
In honor of the Grateful Dead playing there “final” shows over the next week, I reprinted an old favorite with a new color twist. This 2 color Split Fountain, hand carved, hand printed Jerry Garcia Linoleum Block Print. Print measures 12 x 15 and is printed on 80lb French Speckletone Paper. Signed and numbered edition of 100. Available for purchase at my shop http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/product/jer-thee-well
Phish Storage Jam
A while back I was approached by a group of collectors who asked me if I would be interested in creating a print based on a particular musical event within an even larger music event. The folks who wanted to hire me had attended Phish’s Superball IX Festival in Watkin’s Glen, NY in July of 2011. Long after the main concert field had cleared the band set up inside a “storage unit” erected on site and played some of the most trippy, psychedelic music they have ever played. Funny thing, you could not really see the band inside the nit, only their shadows working away. I was immediately interested. We agreed on one multi-colored print with a glow element. The more i watched and listened to the storage jam , the more I became convinced that the best way to depict this event was with four prints, each print focusing on a different band member. I went back to the group and asked permission to change the scope of our engagement. I received and enthusiastic YES, and I began to draw, cut and print. Each print measures 12 x 12, glows in the dark, and is embossed with the show information date, location, etc.
American Master Printmaker: Jim Pollock
At the beginning of the year I moved my studio to a much bigger space. More room for everything, more light, more horizontal space, a ventilation system (of sorts) and did I mention more space.
The first thing I did in the new space was to print the last project that had been designed in my old space. It went well. I had more than enough space to print and dry the 120 piece project with plenty of room to spare. While printing I began thinking of what was next. Turns out what was next was a project that had been on my mind for about a year. I wanted to create a print to honor my favorite block printer on the planet, Jim Pollock. Jim single-handedly revitalized the music gig poster industry. The industry in its’ current state literally erupted around him. He brought the art back to gig posters, which for too long were merely poorly designed graphic art, a far cry from the high poster art that we saw in the 1960’s. His now iconic hand printed posters created for Phish are some of the most coveted posters of all time. And he did all of this while remaining a nice guy.
At one point I changed from poster collector to poster maker and I attribute all of that to Jim Pollock. His work made me curious about block printing and some of the first things I attempted to print were his old Phish posters. Printmaking has unlocked an unknown joy in my life and for that I will always be grateful. I could go on and on but I think you get the point. Check out the slideshow below to see how this print came together.
These prints are available for purchase at my webstore: http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/
Marc Guertin Creative 