January 2015 – IOANA STOIAN

I am incredibly honoured to be a recipient of the Jerome Foundation Mentorship Program. 2015 is the year where I get to learn about many of the different traditional skills that revolve around The Book. I will be introduced to the wonderful techniques of letterpress printing and bookbinding which, together with my paper making skills, will culminate in a glorious artwork.

I’m yet to see what that artwork will be, but it’s early days into the program so, no worries for the moment.

My mentorship will take place at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, a place that I already use and love dearly.

So, here are some photos of my first introduction to letterpress printing with CB Sherlock, a friend and a very talented printer.

Together with four other recipients of the program, the aim of the game was to find a five letter word, choose a letter, create a definition and then learn how to put all of that together and print a broadside.

After much discussion our word was Light. I chose the L and came up with a very creative L is for Love.

The Jerome Foundation mentees and CB working in the printing studio at MCBA.

Composition Stick.

Setting the lead type.

Setting the type on the press bed.

Inserting thin bits of copper to ensure that nothing moves.

Once the type is locked into place on the press bed, the printing can begin.

The sheet of paper is placed under the little holders…

Voila. This is what we came up with.

Our final composition.

Removing the ink with a clean dry cloth.

Cleaning the equipment with white spirit.

To celebrate the start of the new season, here are some images of my latest artwork entitled ‘l’hiver’ (French for winter).

This artwork consists of over 80 hand-made pieces of paper. Made from cotton and abaca, each piece was individually created and later dyed resulting in a harmonious ensemble. Just like snowflakes falling from the sky on a cold winter’s day; each element is unique.

The creative process took place at the MCBA (Minnesota Center for Book Arts) in Minneapolis, where I am a member of the artist cooperative. I thoroughly enjoy working in the large, clean paper studios and, as you can see, I have a tendency to spread.

L’hiver was part of a group exhibition earlier this year at The Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, WI. As usual I fell behind on my internet duties and forgot to inform you ahead of time. Better late than never.