November Clay Monoprint Class Series
Visual Realia is once again offering a three-part series of classes on learning the art of clay monoprints.
Experience this unique art form established by Mitch Lyons. Utilizing techniques of printmaking, we’ll replace ink and paint with colored clay slip. We’ll explore basic techniques, move to more experimental methods, and finish with an informal open studio format. You will leave with a one-of-a-kind print each session.
Location: Adams County Arts Council
125 South Washington Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Tuesdays, November 5th, 12th, and 19th
10:00 AM - Noon
To register, visit the registration page here or call the Arts Council at (717) 334-5006.
Questions? Contact Andy via email at ostman4200@comcast.net.
Mitch Lyons Exhibit: A Must See Event
Image attribution: Delaware Art Museum
Wilmington’s regional art treasure, the Delaware Art Museum, is running a retrospective look at the works of Mitch Lyons, the creator and master of the clay monoprint technique. It runs through February 2nd, 2020, and is definitely a must-see exhibit.
The show focuses on both his three-dimensional clay works, as well as a thorough visit through his exploration of clay monoprinting, from prints on rice paper, on black sandpaper, to their eventual home on pellon and reemay.
For more information:
Mitch Lyons: The Hand Translated
https://www.delart.org/exhibits/mitch-lyons/
https://www.delart.org/mitch-lyons-the-hand-translated/
Image attribution: Delaware Art Museum
Open Studio and Monoprint Demonstration
Friday, June 7th, 2019
Hours: 5:00-7:30 PM
Demonstration: 5:30-7:00 PM
View a working demonstration of the clay monoprint process from beginning to a pulled print. Watch, discuss, and ask questions about the techniques.
Works (monoprints and photographs) will be available for viewing and purchase. Hope to see you there!
Visual Realia Studio
Adams County Arts Council, Studio 207
125 South Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Photograph courtesy of Hannah Smith.
Visual Realia Studio: It's Live!
Gettysburg now has its own clay monoprint studio! Find out more…
After a 32-year journey as a music educator, I've opened a small studio space in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in their local arts hub, the Adams County Arts Council facility. I'm working with and sharing the unique techniques known as clay monoprint printing, as well as teaching the process and selling both these clay prints and locally-themed photographs.
Hours are as requested by contacting Andy via email (ostman4200@comcast.net) or calling 717-451-4181. In addition, open studios for visitors are held on most First Fridays from 5-7:30 PM.
Follow the progress of the studio and its works on social media:
www.facebook.com/VisualRealiaStudio
www.instagram.com/visualrealia/
Clay monoprints are genuinely unique works (thus "mono") originated by Pennsylvania's own Mitch Lyons, who was the master of the technique, but fortunately was generous in sharing the possibilities with students that crossed his path. You can read more about Mitch and his process at these links.
Be a part of this artistic community by visiting the studio or contacting me. What can we do together?
• Browse a growing collection of clay monoprints and photographic works in numerous styles, sizes, themes, and color palettes.
• Discuss commissioning clay monoprint works. When decorating our homes and offices, for the same price as generic big-box store art, we can create a work that works perfectly for you. Base your artwork on a word, phrase, idea, or color schemes.
$60.00 - approximately 15x20
$75.00 - approximately 18x34
Want to discuss other ideas? Contact me!
• Tour the studio, learn about the process of making clay monoprints, and make your own unique print. These sessions combine learning about a new cultural form with a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Everyone leaves with their own monoprint!
1 person - $35.00
2 or 3 people - $30 per person
4 to 6 people - $25 per person (Work in pairs, but each leaves with a unique print.)
Perfect for families, friends, homeschool (grades 7 and up) projects, work team activities, etc.
Want to know more? Sure, you do! Contact me with questions or ideas.
ostman4200@comcast.net
(717) 451-4181
Studio location:
Studio 207
Adams County Arts Council
125 South Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Photos on this page courtesy of Hannah Smith.
Manganese Violet
Gradient between two different RGB values for Manganese Violet.
Last weekend I made a clay monoprint using a new pigment for me, manganese violet.
A day or two later, I was listening to an interview with recently-passed clay artist Mitch Lyons, in with he suggested author Victoria Finlay’s books on color, so I ordered and received her “The Brilliant History of Color in Art.”
Ironically, her book has a chapter on manganese violet! (Subtitled “Monet Goes Outside.”) Before 1860, artists had to make their own purple colors by mixing red and blue themselves. Finlay noted that Monet loved using the color in shadows, which in reality are not pure black as we typically think of them.
In addition to its use with artists, It is also commonly found in cosmetics, as it is safe in that use.
Looking for a precise color to show here, I found two different versions, so the image above is a gradient between the upper left and bottom right colors.
News and Media Suggestions
There are many questionable sources of "news." Where can we find some good starting points for legitimate news coverage?
Lots of junk out there posing as news. Where's the real stuff? My suggestions...
Media/News Suggestions
• New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal - Print still rules for accuracy. Want to know who to trust? Check to see who prints retractions, who disciplines or fires folks for errors, etc.
While the Post and Times are deemed left and the Journal right, that tends to be valid primarily on the op-ed pages, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Their reporting has been excellent, and typically supportive of each others’ work.
• Reuters: https://www.reuters.com
• Economist: https://www.economist.com
• Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com
• Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/us
• Columbia Journalism Review: https://www.cjr.org
News and analysis of those that cover the news, which in itself is helpful for following the news!
• The Week: http://theweek.com
Best, most balanced print magazine; essentially a “Reader’s Digest” of current news, giving various viewpoints from various angles. For opinion items, there’s usually a version of at least two sides, with a middle position as a wrap up. The magazine is better than the web version, but online is still useful.
• Cook Political Report: http://cookpolitical.com
This is respected by those in politics for being fair and accurate.
• Market Watch: https://www.marketwatch.com
• Weekly Standard: http://www.weeklystandard.com
Clearly conservative, but that’s the philosophy, which they espouse, not blind party loyalty, and often includes strong writing. If you want to know what bright, honest conservatives think, check this out. (Particularly if you have different views.)
• NPR/PBS
Often considered a view from the left, but they actually take great pains to present both sides. If they have a bias, it would be most fair to say that’s the case in what they cover, rather than how. NewsHour is one of the few TV news shows worth the time. (And it’s legitimate news and analysis, rather than talking head personalities.)
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Email Newsletters:
• “Reliable Sources”: https://www.cnn.com/email/subscription
• Signal (Zero Media): http://eurasiagroup.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe…
• FiveThirtyEight “Significant Digits”: https://fivethirtyeight.com/newsletter/
• Morning Brew: https://www.morningbrew.com/?kid=3c6b0a
• Marketplace: https://www.marketplace.org/newsletters
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Twitter:
Twitter is as good or useless as the folks you follow. I constantly change this group to be worthwhile in terms of news, and it really is! Lots of stuff immediately from the journalists themselves. Currently 89 sources in the list:
https://twitter.com/visualrealia/lists/headliners
You can check it our once or subscribe if you want easier access.
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List of sources deemed trustworthy by consumers: