Southern Graphics Council Conference, Chicago

About a week ago Suzanne and I went to the annual Southern Graphics Council conference. It was in Chicago this year, and I was more than excited and thankful that I was able to go (I basically had a two week break because of spring break). It was my first time to attend, and it was pretty awesome to say the least. We saw so many great prints, and so many different and amazing techniques. It makes me really sad that our university's print program lacks excitement, and of course funds (the business school receives the most funding). I didn't know what to think about Chicago at first, I just had to take it all in. I had never been in a place like that before, and it was hard for me to understand/remember where we were because you can't see for miles like you can here (ha). Mostly it just felt so surreal that I was dumbfounded the whole time, so I couldn't think of what I wanted to do (even though I had made a list). Now that I'm back in Fayetteville, I really do miss Chicago. It will take a huge adjustment if I ever decide to live there.

Printmaking on Clay demo

Rolling ink onto the wood cut.

Two guys who run a t-shirt printing business, called Drive By Press, talked on a panel at the conference. They make hand cut wood block printed shirts. They travel to different schools and places with a press in the back of their van, and roll it out and print 'em up. They were at an art reception one night, so I got a shirt!

Below are some of the artists who attended:

1. Two Tone Press
2. The Bird Machine
3. Kristen Bartel (her work is incredible)
4. Nicholas Bakita
5. Sean P. Morrissey (oh. my. goodness.)
6. Adam Wolly