Tag: the true west

Embossing-etching, a new guillotine, and a Quest for the True West

March 21, 2018

After the workshop on embossed books, I was inspired to finish drafting my ‘Declaration of the True West’ poster, which I plan to etch into a steel plate and print in embossed letters with a green or black background ink… Here’s the digital version of it, as I hope it will print onto card at about A2 size (narrower to be a Golden Rectangle shape):

declaration as if printed with green

See my other blog if you’re interested in this True West vision… www.thetruewest.org

The actual print will be deckle edged by means of a deep groove on the plate, which tears the damp card during printing – a cool extra function as well as the printing of the background and the embossing – all in one pass of the etching press AKA pastry roller! I use Flint waterbased printing ink.

I had thought I’d do the poster on a wood block, but the size meant it would probably have to be plywood, and steel just seemed better, especially since it can be etched,

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whereas the ply would have to be carved – a long job with so many small letters! Unless it was lasered into the wood (or MDF) – that is an option too… some of my book cover plates were lasered into perspex by Engraving Systems of Whangarei when I was up north. Looking for a laser service here in Gisborne…  So, here’s a trial card I did with the green  ink and embossed lettering and a deep groove on the lines to be deckle-edge cut…. also little boxes by the same method.

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Anyone interested in a workshop on embossing/etching with wood (or recycled MDF) or steel blocks? contact me! You could make a poster from A3 to over A2 size, embossed etched artwork, greeting card, bookmark, even a box… Exciting possibilities! Oh yes and as with the bookmaking workshop, I can help you design and lay out your work on computer using photoshop and Indesign, and print out for transfer to the block.

A first draft vision statement for Dreamspace Gallery

June 6, 2016

VISION STATEMENT 06 06 16

Dreamspace Gallery and Workshops,

61 Carnarvon St., Gisborne, New Zealand.

peter@eutopia.co.nz    Ph 022 332 6568

  • To dream, reason, articulate, and actually live, a vision of the ideal human as an individual and in society, evolving through the process phases of Love (openness to new input), Beauty (new ideas), Truth (logical evaluation of new ideas), and Freedom (action based on logical plans).
  • To do so with pride in the ideals of our Western culture as developed over the centuries to honour individual freedom and dignity, enterprise, nobility, beauty, justice, rationality and truth, and love. Millions of our ancestors died for these values…
  • To imagine, invent and lovingly make such items of beauty that reflect those ideals, particularly in the European Renaissance tradition, in the Arts and Crafts movement, and in the traditions imagined and enshrined in Tolkien’s Four Kindreds of Middle Earth.
  • These items to include ‘Hobbit havens’ – ‘tiny houses’ or curvaceous cabins in ferrocement lined with natural wood and plaster; and items and artefacts to go with said cabins, or with natural homes where beauty and natural materials are still held in honour.
  • Also, of course, to include ‘fine art’ – paintings and sculptures which reflect these ideals and the positive, noble, ‘romantic’ view of life.
  • To live in harmony with nature, sustainably  and healthily, avoiding toxic processes and products.
  • To do what we can to restore hope and faith in the high ideals of our civilisation and to counter the arguments of nihilism, cynicism, relativism and despair.
  • To communicate, inspire and teach these ideas, techniques and knowledge to all who seek them.
  • To offer the best things with the best quality at the best price we can, and rely on willing buyers of our goods and services to make ourselves and those we train solvent and profitable without subsidies from any authorities which force people to pay them taxes then distribute said taxes to gain votes. I.e., to sink or swim in a free market. (However, gifts of love, given willingly by those who can afford them, to support the cause will not be despised!)
  • To hold open a great space for the display of all the above, for the founder’s work and for others’ which is compatible with this vision
  • To encourage the use of this space for informal and formal discussions, meetings and cultural events which reflect the values herein described.