Reinventing The Wheel

Hi All!
I thought I'd take a break and share some of what I've been up to. Well over a year ago, I mentioned here (click) wanting to slow down and take some time to get back to the process of printing. In truth, I was seeking the time to go back to the simple process of being a beginner. To try something new, and to be okay with whatever the outcome. I spent my spare time with some beloved wood type, some paper, and the press. No computer and no deadlines—you get the idea. In the last year, my new medium of choice has been sign painting. I am very familiar with lettering and typography, but the craft of sign painting adds a whole new dimension to this. In short, it is a humbling, delightful experience for me. It has sharpened my designer-eye and given me an entirely new appreciation for letterforms. The above picture is an example of the before and after. I was able to take my hand-painted-version, and translate it into a plate for letterpress. I really like the casual brush letters when they're pressed into the paper.

While I'm hardly ready to hang up my sign-painting shingle, I feel like I have turned a corner in my lettering practice.

Here is another example of some casual lettering and script that I tried. I have had that cut of The Fonz for years, and well, apparently if you build it, they WILL come! I was thrilled to be able to create a piece for Henry Winkler last Spring. He was reading from his new book at Rakestraw Books, (click) and I knew exactly what piece of art I would use!

Here's a snap from my sketchbook. A perfect mantra for my new year as a beginner. Kindness with myself, kindness with others. When I used to teach bookbinding, I would tell my students, "Be nice to yourselves—your head will learn this much faster than your hands will." I have to tell myself this daily.

Here it is in the letterpress-realm. I love the red ink!














Since I'm getting so cozy with this new beginner-state, I thought I'd try something else, as well. It's been years since I did any painting with acrylics, but in the last few months, that has changed. In the image above, I was able to take a few small paintings that I did, and translate them into the letterpress realm. I added some simple hand-lettering, and I really like the outcome. Its fresh new take on a wedding invitation makes me really happy. For more of what I've been up to, please have a look at my website here (click). I've been updating pictures and hope you like it! xo Victoria