Thursday, June 12, 2008

New Best Friend (I hope!)


I don't have the room (or the money) for a 'proper' printing press. That, however, did not stop me from wanting wanting wanting. I found this little beauty in Parkers art shop in The Rocks, Sydney a few months ago. It took me a few months to convince myself to actually go ahead and get it. No amount of Googling could reveal anyone else who has used a press like this. (I guess that is pretty obvious when you look at the low-tech beauty of it!)

So, last Friday I was having a particularly good day - my eldest daughters graduation from Sydney Uni (the mother in me means I must mention 'with 1st class honours'!) followed by a champagne and oyster celebration on the harbour next to the Opera House, then the lovely little walk up into The Rocks to find Parkers (always a sense of satisfaction when you get there, because sometimes I just plain don't find it and miss out on the experience!) OK, I was just a little merry, and I was planning to buy my little press, so I was happy. I guess it showed. I think the guys in Parkers quite enjoyed selling it to me. I know they are certainly looking forward to my other daughter's graduation next year with hope (and dollar signs) in their eyes!

I haven't had the chance to use it yet, but I will report how it goes. It uses the good old fashioned lever action to create the press suitable for relief printing. I plan to use it for linoprints, but will probably try a few collagraphs too. It prints up to A4 and with no moving parts etc. I plan to have it for a long time. And it fits perfectly in my little studio!

7 comments:

Sara Bowen said...

Cooool! I'm off to Sydney tomorrow and plan to find Parkers... Congratulations on being a proud parent, by the way. Sounds as if you all had fun. Sara x

kelly said...

I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with this!

tanaudel said...

Oh yes, I know that shop, and it does seem to move around between visits!

Anonymous said...

I've seen an all metal version of this hand-press made by Speedball. I think they sell them on www.dickblick.com

This looks actually home build-able.

dinahmow said...

Ooh! Always interested to know what sort of presses people are using.In fact, I had a discussion on this subject this morning with my teacher and friend who most generously allows us to use her big press.All the same, I keep wondering how difficult it would be to get rid of some junk...

fingerstothebone said...

I would love to see how this works out. Congrats on your daughter's graduation!

Laura Frankstone said...

Congratulations, Jan, on your daughter's great achievements! Your happy tone of voice in this post is such fun to read and hear. Your press looks amazing. Can't wait to see what you do with it!