US/UK PRINT EXCHANGE

Here are some pictures from Nov.2009 *Secrets* exhibition at the F Block Gallery in Bower Ashton, Bristol (courtesy of Helen Allsebrook). This exchange was curated by Helen Allsebrook of the UK, in collaboration with Sarah Noreen of the US. Each of the 15 artists involved created an edition of 16 prints. We will each receive a set to keep (in the beautiful custom box shown), and the one set will continue to be exhibited - up next at the University of Wisconsin.

POOP PIPES

This is a work in progress. I am photographing plumbing vent pipes (I like to call them poop pipes) on the rooftops throughout NYC. My goal is to exhibit the photographs in the spring of 2011 and have an auction with part of the proceeds going to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

KEYWAY

This is a new solar plate etching and chine colle of a couple on their wedding day. It is inspired by a portrait I took digitally of them in the wine cellar bar area before making their reception debut. The picture was taken through the large gated door keyhole. The overall print is 14 x 9.5 and the etching itself is 4.5 x 3. I like the intimacy and the vintage quality of this print. It's something that you have to walk up to, and peer into to see what's going on. A small treasure of a moment.

PUBLIC ART PROJECT

ART / Vanishing JOBS

LOCATION

This project took place in an old industrial area in Brooklyn. The neighborhood was given the acronym DUMBO in 1978 (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), thinking that the unattractive name would deter developers (thank you Wikipedia). It became a booming artist's community in the late 1970's and by the end of the 20th century, as property became more expensive in Manhattan, DUMBO became increasingly gentrified. It now has an interesting dynamic of artist's spaces and luxury residential condos.

PROJECT

The project is made up of 50 unique "ghost prints" that each represent one of the 50 states in the USA, with up to date statistics of that state's unemployment rate printed at the bottom. The image is of the Employment Guide newspaper containers found all over New York City.

The found "gallery wall" was a garage door of a local lighting business. The prints were hung in a grid using powerful magnets.

The prints are hand silkscreened on Stonehenge 100% cotton paper and are 15x22. I hand stamped the data (states and numbers) during the course of the day while engaging in dialogue with passerby's.

As an artist, who is currently on the unemployment list, I have created this project (this JOB) for myself. Proactive waiting.

Ideally I'd love to reinstall this piece in a public window or gallery space. Suggestions welcome.

ALBUMEN PRINTS

The pictures above are from a day of making albumen prints.

I've had the awesome opportunity to apprentice with Master Printer Anthony Accardi of Green Rhino / Brooklyn Print Works. His new studio in Bushwick has enabled him to experiment more with marrying digital imaging with handmade emulsions and craft. Right now I am participating in learning the process of creating albumen prints and platinum/palladium prints. They are both beautiful time-consuming processes that have the potential to yield amazing results.

To read more about albumen prints, go to: http://www.alternativephotography.com/process_albumen_paper.html

If you're interested in hiring a talented photographic printer go to:

http://www.greenrhinoinc.com/

NEW TOTES

Hand Silkscreened Tote Bags : Brooklyn Edition

FOR SALE at two of my favorite Brooklyn boutiques called Cog & Pearl and Homebody Boutique. (Kitties not included).

For store info visit : cogandpearl.com and www.homebodyboutique.com

More designs to come ...

BELLYSIDE

Solar Plate Etching + Chine Colle :

Playing with variations of ink color and handmade japanese tissue paper.

BALANCE

This is another print that documents a specific occasion and moment(s) in time. In this case, it is a wedding celebration. It is an archival digital print on Hahnemuhle German Etching paper layered with two Solar Plate Etchings printed with bone black oil based ink. The color prints are photographs that were taken while driving over the bridge to St. Simon's Island in Georgia where the couple married. The Solar Plate Etching is inspired by photographic images of the couples first dance. The symbolism here is about the balance in a relationship : structure, support, and logic .vs. intuition, freedom and mystery.

Note: the two middle photographs are of the etched polymer plate.

HAYSTACK RESIDENCY

I was super fortunate to receive a work-study full scholarship to Haystack Mountain School of Craft (on Deer Isle, ME) to participate in a Surface Design Workshop led by Fraser Taylor of SAIC.  It was a wonderful experience to be surrounded by creative focused energy for 2 weeks without the distractions of everyday life.  Amazing meals were prepared, studios open 24 hours a day, mossy walking trails along the ocean, library resources, a staff of all artists of different disciplines, slide shows and presentations, 70 students from all over the world ... all making for a rich experience of creative growth.  I was definitely influenced by the natural surroundings when making my own work.  Above is a collage of some of the experiments I worked on during my stay.  The hand cut stencils that created the screenprint on muslin are reminiscent of barnacles, bones or sea life.  These were screenprinted individually in variations of white. The prints on paper are "x-rays" of the sea life shapes, created by the pigment residue left on the screen.  These prints were more spontaneous, not knowing what the output of the one swipe of the screen would be.  I also experimented with discharge printing on fabric, using found moss to use as a stamp while making the screen.  Since there was a press to be used in the Book Arts Studio, I printed a solar plate I made in NY, combining it with a process learned at Haystack called Dye Transfer, using sodium alginate to push the dyes through the screen.  The experience was all about exploration and discovery.  For more info about Haystack, visit www.haystack-mtn.org/

SARIS, JEWELS AND HANDS

This is a portrait I took at a wedding as the professional photographer was setting up a posed family shot.  I printed this on Metallic paper to enhance the saturated colors and touches of gold.

Tasmanian Print Exchange

I was invited by Artist/Professor Hilary Lorenz to participate in a print exchange between 11 New Yorkers and 11 residents of Tasmania.  We each had to make an edition of 22 prints, 5x7 format, any technique.  Above is my "Untitled" 3 color silkscreen edition.  I will in return receive 22 different prints from individual artists.

BRANDING

"rockonwitchabadself (or ROWBS, for short) t-shirts are intelligent, whimsical, edgy designs that encourage and applaud individuality by winking at staid, stereotypical gender roles. These one of a kind, hand-silkscreened tops celebrate the absurd with reciprocal messages that are open to interpretation, invite a dialogue and engage and empower your favorite fe/male!"

In the summer of 2007 I decided to start a t-shirt line called "rockonwitchabadself", which was an awesome learning experience. I did everything from writing a business plan to executing the designs to creating promotional materials to branding the product to selling at outdoor markets.

These are just a few of the graphics I created in branding the t-shirt line.

You can see more on-line promotional material at www.myspace.com/jliseo
AND purchase the t's in my online shop at www.rowbs.etsy.com

DANCING

These photos are from a wedding that wove many cultures and rituals together beautifully... on the dance floor. Equipped with my new camera (at the time) I tried to capture the endless energy of the evening, filled with expressive movements.

(Location : Mystic, CT)

SEW

Experimenting with sewing through paper on a screenprint with needle and thread.

GESTURES OF LOVE

This print is a customized wedding gift.  It is a two color water-based silkscreen printed on 100% cotton paper.  The print is approximately 28x28 in diameter.  The project entailed photographing everyone's hand at the wedding as I asked each person to make their own gesture of love.  All of the hands were individually edited in photoshop, with varying detail, to create the graphics.  The hands overlapping each other in a circle symbolize unity and life itself. 

The lace-like translucent gold that slightly overlays the inner wreath was inspired by images I've seen of a microscopic orchid root, and was hand painted on mylar to create a film for the screen. The orchid historically symbolizing strength, transformation, love and beauty. 

This is my favorite customized project to date, and I hope to continue experimenting with different custom hand projects.

SILKSCREEN / GLASS PROJECT

These are photos of the interior of the John Dory restaurant in the meatpacking district of NYC.  I collaborated with Michael Davis (Michael Davis Stained Glass) on the glowing 40 ft. stained glass ceiling panels and floor strip you see. My contribution was creating the fish graphics, making the screens and screenprinting the images onto the hand blown glass panels.

SPARKS in the summer

The LOVE photograph was a miracle of sorts. I set the functions on my camera, handed it to Nancy and said stay as still as possible for this 8 second shutter speed while I write something. I believe the dark sky in Maine contributed to the beauty, plus our drunk happy spirits.

The photograph below was taken at my friend's anniversary party in their Brooklyn backyard. I leaned my camera on the deck rail to steady it for an approximate 1.3 second exposure. Editing done in Photoshop to enhance the light provided by sparklers. I enjoy the emotional tangibility and color saturation of this photo.

BETTY on T's too!

I couldn't resist making Betty into this iconic/superwoman/badass graphic too!  So now, many men and women wear her proudly screenprinted on a light summer t-shirt.  It is a part of the ROWBS collection that can be found at www.rowbs.etsy.com

BETTY'S GOT A GUN

This is a four color silkscreen I did on 100% cotton Rives BFK paper.  It was inspired by a 4x6 b&w photograph taken in the 1940's of my girlfriend's grandma Betty.  The print is approximately 24x36.  This is the first print in a series I want to create of women who defied the socially constructed expectations of being, during which they were alive.  

DIVING INTO BLOG WORLD

Where to begin?  I thought I would share my most recent photo shoot with you.  Here are a few pictures of Hudson Joseph Burnett, my best friends first baby.  These were taken with my Canon EF Lens - 50mm - f/1.8.  I've been building my portfolio with many baby and wedding photos lately, as these milestones seem to be popular at my age.