Tag: silkscreen

  • Meet New ASCB Vendor Aaron Powers of New Antlers Illustration

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    Thanks to both of my parents, I was born as someone with a compulsion in his blood to visually describe the world to others. There was always a story to tell in a meticulously rendered portrait or a quick accidental brush stroke resembling something familiar.

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    Playing to my strengths, I was focused by my teachers and honed by my years at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s illustration department. After college and the requisite years that a twenty-something guy spends in a van playing music with his friends, a series of events pointed me towards a job in New York City that evolved over years into a position at a better known apparel catalog as a head fashion photo retoucher/compositor. Though grateful for the experience over those years, there came a point where I realized I needed to spend the majority of my time creating rather than concealing. Although it was mildly rewarding to have a god-like command over reality through Photoshop, it felt unnatural to be largely defined by covering the tracks of others so that it seemed as if no work needed to be done in the first place.

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    Every night I would come home and scrub dried up pixels from my hands and try to squeeze a few minutes of drawing in before sleep takes over and the alarm resets the day. So when the corporate belts started tightening and heads needed to roll, I opted for the fresh air of Central Massachusetts so someone else could have my desk instead of an unemployment check.

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    It’s been an exciting year since then, from teaching myself the craft of screen printing to publicly displaying my work for the first time. The din of a midtown office has been replaced by the sounds of migrating birds and the echoes of my past professors/peers while considering my compositions.

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    In addition to my personal work, there have been the opportunities to produce hand-printed gig posters, music packaging, greeting cards, and entire suites of custom wedding invitations as well as the chance to teach youth printing workshops.

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    I find inspiration in old friends and new strangers, and in the varying levels of connections we all have with nature, technology and each other. These prints are a blend of vectors and gestures, flora and fauna, and the coping with (and preparing for) equal parts of both happiness and loss. Even though my back is sore and the hours are long, it’s now ink I’m washing off my hands every night and it still feels like I’m getting away with something. Thank you for taking a moment to visit the Art Star blog and I look forward to meeting passers-by at the New Antlers booth #54 at this weekend’s Art Star Craft Bazaar.

  • DIY Silkscreen Kit Debut / Make + Take with Julie Lange

    The lovely Julie Lange of On3Designs has been hard at work creating a new line of DIY Silkscreen Kits, which she will be debuting at our DesignPhiladelphia Celebration / Closing party for Farmhaus + Friends on Friday, October 11th from 6-9pm.  Guests will be able to sample one of the kits on a piece of muslin to create their own one of a kind scarf to take home with them.  The make & take is completely free but we encourage visitors to purchase a kit to take home with them!


    Each kit will  include a screen, 3 stencils of 1 design, small package of textile ink (which can also be used on paper), a squeegee and directions.  There will also be refill packs for purchase that will include 3 stencils of 3 designs.  These kits are great for kids 10+ up or beginners who would like to learn how to silkscreen.  By using the kit, you will learn what you will need to do to create your own one of a kind designs!

    Here are some samples of what your finished scarf may look like but there are endless possibilities of what you can create!

    We did a wonderful blog feature on Julie & her line of hand printed purses and bags.  Click here to learn all about her and her work!

  • Meet Stephanie Harvey of exit343designs

    Local silkscreen printer, Stephanie Harvey is an Art Star Craft Bazaar veteran.  We always love checking out her cute & colorful printed t-shirts, plushies, stationary, prints & more!  Learn more about her technique, the artists who inspire her & what she is listening to these days.  And be sure to see it all in person at Booth #18!

    The lovely Stephanie Harvey in her booth!

    Art Star: Did you go to art school?  If so, where did you study?
    Stephanie Harvey: Technically I didn’t go to “art” school, but I do have two fine arts degrees. I received my B.F.A. with concentrations in Printmaking and Photography from Rowan University in South Jersey. I also have my M.F.A. in Printmaking from Penn State University.

    AS:  What types of items will you be selling at the bazaar?
    SH: My booth features all silkscreen printed work, hand printed by me (with alittle bit of help from my studio cat, Buddy) in a workspace just outside of Philadelphia. I primarily make art prints and stationery, but also dabble with small plush creature pillows and tee shirts. Recently, I’ve begun crafting small watercolor illustrations that I sell as giclee prints, badges, and magnet sets. If you like bright colors, hand drawn type, and patterns, be sure to come check out my booth!

    Eat Local Food & Drink Local Brew Silkscreened Print

    AS:  How are your items made? Describe your process?
    SH: Everything starts with a drawing, on good old-fashioned paper. I sometimes use digital help to clean up or enlarge my drawings and make the layers to burn screens from. However, often times I consume many Sharpie opaque paint markers from hand drawing the layers. In silkscreen printing, every color is a different layer so the preparation can be really time consuming! After I make the screens, mix the inks, and trim the paper, I crank out each print- layer by layer. It’s a rewarding process, watching your work come to life in color one piece at a time.

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    AS: Are you able to make your work full-time?  If not, what do you do for your day job?
    SH: I’m an artist/designer/freelance event photographer by night and weekend and a production assistant at a local screenprinting company by day. I’m continually striving to make the former my all-of-the-time by doing shows like Art Star Craft Bazaar, taking on freelance design projects, selling my work at brick & mortars, running an active blog, and more.

    Lily of the Valley & Pansies Flower Cards by exit343designs

    AS: Who are some of your favorite artists?
    SH: I look to contemporary graphic and poster designers, many who do the same craft shows I vend at. I love the bold stylized illustrations of Charley Harper and the sweeping lines and muted colors of Alphonse Mucha.  Textile patterns, unique illustrations, and hand drawn type are all artistic components I’m drawn to.

    AS: What are you reading/listening to right now?
    SH: I’ve been in kind of a musical funk as of late, so I’ve turned in to a huge podcast fan. My favorites right now include: Adventures in Design by Mark from Hero and Billy from Delicious Design League (great for any artist + entrepreneur), WTF with Marc Maron, and Planet Money.

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    AS:  Where would you like to see yourself and your art/craft business in the next 10 years?
    SH: In ten years, I simply hope to be my own full-time boss. I have many other short-term goals, which will hopefully get me to that point!

    AS: Are there any bazaar participants that you are excited to check out this year?
    SH: Of course!  Checking out other vendors’ work is half the fun.  I also try to feature all of the great work I see after each show on my blog, thehappysqueegee.com

    In no particular order, my 2013 must-sees include:

    Atelier Grafico – Gioconda was my neighbor last year and her booth was packed with children having a blast with her creative stamp sets!  I’m hoping to beat the rush of youngsters this year and see what new sets she has.

    Everyday Balloons – This talented screen printing duo from Pittsburgh also makes the majority of their prints the old school way – by starting with a drawing, not digital.  Even their business cards are tiny works of silkscreend art!  I always make it a point to stop in and see what new images they created.

    Laura Berger – I can’t even tell you how many cards of hers I’ve purchased at this point -too many!  Her quirky sense of humor shines in every piece she creates, making her one of my favorite illustrators and stationery creators.

    The Wind and The Sail – Laura is so incredibly talented!  You have to get to her booth early on to see her full stock of cuddly creatures.  Why?  Everyone else knows she’s so talented and buys up all her finely crafted (and adorable) plush!

    Yardsale Press – Bryan has print and badge dispensing vending machines.  Enough said.

  • Free Fare: A Collection of Landscape Inspired Prints by Shawn Hileman

     Free Fare
    A Collection of Landscape Inspired Prints by Shawn Hileman

    April 13th – May 26th, 2013

    Opening Reception: Saturday, May 13th, 6-8pm
    Free & Open to the public

    Art Star is pleased to announce Free Fare, a collection of landscape inspired prints by Philadelphia printer & graphic designer, Shawn Hileman. The exhibition will be on display from April 13th – May 26th, 2013.  An opening reception with the artist will be held on Saturday, May 13th from 6-8pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

    Shawn Hileman’s first solo exhibition at Art Star will include a series of screenprinted abstract landscapes based on the desire to explore the world. The work will take the viewer on a journey that spans from desolate desert to mystical mountain side castles. An illustrated collection of ephemera will accompany the expansive fields of color and texture. With a keen graphic eye and a lust for playful illustration, the prints will feature a symbiotic relationship between paper and ink

     Shawn received his BFA in Graphic Design from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and has since worked as an Art Director and Freelance Graphic Designer / Printer.  He started Masthead Print Studio in 2010, which serves as a hub for local Philly printmakers to create & show their work.  The Studio features monthly exhibitions, curated by Hileman & other Masthead members, as well as special events & lectures.  His freelance clients include Urban Outfitters, Academy of Music, World Café Live, and Electric Factory, amongst many others.  He also creates his own line of silkscreened posters & prints, which you can find at Masthead, Art Star, Etsy & Little Paper Planes in CA.

     

  • New Artist: Adam Smith

    "First American" silkscreen print by Adam Smith

    We would like to welcome Adam Smith to our growing list of artists – we are thrilled to be carrying his work!  Adam is a Philadelphia artist, designer, illustrator & silkscreen printer. We learned about his work after he applied to our summer craft bazaar. We now have a good selection of his Men’s T-shirts, prints, & original paintings in the shop.  All of his work is very affordable. It is hard to find an actual silkscreen printer these days – especially one as talented as Adam. What impresses me the most about him is that he designs & hand draws all of his own lettering.

    "The Floorboards Hide Secrets" Silkscreen by Adam Smith

    Aesthetically, we tend to be a bit on the more feminine side here at Art Star, so we are always trying really hard to look for an artist that will appeal to guys as well.  I think Adam fits that bill, as evidenced by the fact that almost every man in my life purchased an item from him at our last bazaar.   I hope you enjoy his work as much as we do.

    "Going Home" acrylic painting on found wood by Adam Smith

    Check out this really great interview that Gallery Up did w/ Adam
    View his entire collection on our site

  • Candy Depew Fabric Printing Demo @ Art Star

    We are excited to announce that the inspiring Candy Depew will be joining us for our July 14th “Thirsty Thursday”!

    For those of you who don’t know, Candy is an incredibly talented Philadelphia artist & master printer.  She has set up a silk screen printing school in Olde City called The Studio School of the Decorative Arts. She teaches a variety of silk screen classes there from basic beginner/refresher courses to wallpaper & fabric design/printing.  Many of her students have gone on to create fashion collections, small business start-ups, limited edition archival prints, T-shirts, textiles for interiors, and unique artist editions.

    Candy will be demonstrating fabric yardage printing at Art Star from 5-8pm during  our July 14th “Thirsty Thursday”.  She will also be debuting her new line of  silkscreen textiles known as “Fat Quarters”.  Stop in for a complimentary frosty beverage (non-alcoholic this week b/c Girls Rock Philly will be visiting), get a glimpse of the art of fabric printing & snag a Candy Depew Fat Quarter for a weekend DIY project!  This event is free & no registration is required.  Just bring your beautiful selves & some friends for a fun night at Art Star!

    BTW, Candy is still accepting students for her July & August classes.  Go here for a complete class list & prices: http://www.candycoated.org/school.html

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