So excited to visit the annual Los Angeles Printers Fair, held at the International Printing Museum
http://www.printmuseum.org/
This show is such a delight. Wonderful to see it growing! Also lots of exciting expansion plans for the Intl. Printing Museum -- which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Paper arts and artisans are alive and well thank you -- and so are their fans!
Lots of pics and links with this post ... just some hightlights here on the blog. There was LOTS MORE at the fair.
The program guide had a beautiful paper cover (Crane's Lettra , Flourescent White 110C) -- and lots of info inside --
This little gem of a museum is only minutes from our showroom. Like us, they are open on Saturdays (the Printers Fair is only once a year). It was heartwarming to see how the museum is adding to its interior space!
In addition to the Printers Fair -- the museum was open for tours and live demos ..covering print from its past..
to today ...
Exhibitors could be found at tables and booths -- some inside, but most outside in a large tent that occupied the museums usual parking lot. (Parking for the event was available across the street).
Here's a view of the tent as you approached ..
and here's a random view from inside ...
So many lovely prints ... handmade cards ... and all sorts of delights. I LOVE prints, but I've been collecting a long time and have run out of display and storage room. That's why I now ADORE cards! They are a great way to share a little artwork with a friend -- and get the images and name of an artist OUT THERE in the world. You just never know where your cards end up folks -- so TIP TO ARTISTS --- make sure your cards have your website and contact info on them! Your card might be your calling card to your next great collector or job.
Meanwhile ... here are just a few of the tables and artists that caught my eye (and my $$ -- I mean, investment in their efforts :)
De Milo Design, Studio and Letterpress
http://www.demilodesign.com/letterpress/index.html
Kiss and Punch Designs
http://www.kissandpunch.com/
CJ Whitlock art
cj.whitlock.art@gmail.com
click pic below to enlarge and check out her framed print on her table of the blue whale and yellow submarine! So great!
This next table had more SUPER TEMPTING prints!! You can find more on their Etsy site.
Panicle Designs (pssst artists -- always a bonus to have a charming, "keeper" image on your business card!)
https://www.etsy.com/shop/panicle
The cards at Warren Tales had lots of interactive options --- quite clever!
Loved the "Thank you (d)oodles" card for artists --- add your own drawings. And" Haiukte" for writers!
On the typewriter card, the image detaches and is a postcard on back. And there's a whole series of the connect the dot cards that spell out the greeting. Can you figure out the sample here??
She also had these handmade cards that paired cancelled stamps -- super thoughtful re-use of great images!
Besides big tent to explore outside the main buildings -- the museum has a gift shop in a separate building ...
and there was a smaller tent to print your own t-shirt ..
Around the corner ... a peek inside the museum's mobile operation -- where the museum's famous "Ben Franklin" and his printing press come to YOU.
This touring exhibit offers a 2-hour, interactive educational experience, available for schools, events... even b'day parties!
Back inside the other half the museum -- More printing art and artists to discover ..
Regret I don't have picture of this table .. but Paper Pasteries has an engaging series of custom return address rubber stamps -- what a great holiday gift idea!!
http://paperpastries.bigcartel.com/
Really loved these images at Modern Optic's table ..
My first purchase/investment of the day was this little charmer with a quote from Dr. Seuss ....
that I found at the table for Sunshine 'n Tangerines
http://sunshinentangerines.bigcartel.com/
All this and so much more ... so inspiring to see all this creativity ... in a setting that celebrates the history of printing making ... and the printed word.
Final tip to artists --- you work so hard to make your art. Make sure your art works just as hard for you! Label your cards and prints with your website or contact info (on the item itself when appropriate). Highlight when items are hand-made -- it's a great chance to to share your story. When you EDUCATE your collector, they can appreciate what makes your art special. Your audience buys an image that appeals to them. Use that image to make a connection between your patron and your craft. Encourage people to love and support the arts :) Everyone benefits....
OCT 6th update -- BONUS print image by Poli Marichal...... you can see another image of her's in my 2011 post on the Printers Fair. At this 2014 show, she had an image that caught my eye with a lovely big FISH! I don't have a picture of it; but it's a reminder why it's important to go see these events in person! I wasn't able to chat with her at the show, but we've emailed since and she she kindly forwarded the image below to share here on the blog. More on her website: http://www.polimarichal.com/#home
OCT 8 UPDATE --- WOW! This has become a popular post on the blog. Thanks everyone for sharing. If you're new to my blog, please look at the "Your Guide" post. http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/10/your-guide-to-behind-scenes-at-stuart.html
Lots of educational highlights there, such as this post on "Copyright Info for artists" with links to resources regarding unauthorized use of images posted on internet http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2014/07/copyright-info-for-artists_15.html
Previous post here on the blog for 2011 LA Printers Fair http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-inspired-artist-contacts-from.html
Hope you enjoyed these highlights of just a few of the artists at the Printers Fair. There was a variety of work on view. Congrats to the museum for providing a home for this lively event.
The International Printing Museum has launched a 25th Anniversary Building Campaign... There is even a GIFT-MATCHING program for 2014, from by PIASC (Printing Industries Association of So Cal) providing a 100% matching grant for all donations, so your contribution NOW has double the impact!
In addition to hosting the annual Los Angeles Printers Fair, the museum has a calendar of events, highlighted by their own annual programs in the summer ..
and a special Charles Dickens-themed celebration for the holiday season
Include a stop at the International Printing Museum with your next Saturday visit to our showroom. Make a date to see the Los Angeles Printers Fair on Saturday Oct 3, 2015!
