John Stacey - Screen Printing and Letterpress

John Stacey is a print maker, based in Binghamton, New York.

He works using serigraphy and letterpress printing to explore designs found in nature.

The majority of his works start with his own photos.

Favorite subjects are plants, flowers, leaves, and insects... especially bees, butterflies and caterpillars.

John decided to do a line of greeting cards, as his photographs received rave reviews,  and since he runs the presses himself, uses commercial printing materials for his media.

He likes his printings to have a tactile feel to them so most all of them are embossed. In addition, some have foil stamped transparent tints and pearescent colors to add accents to the designs.

His serigraphs are done from photos, reducing detailed images to simple elements that represent the feel of the image. They are composed in layers usually staring with the background and adding elements one on top of the other. They are printed on heavy 80 to 110 pound 100% Cranes Cotton Lettra.

Here's John in action producing the "Koi" print you see above to the right. Just click on the arrow at the bottom left of the frame:

What's next for John?

After a second year of photographing thousands of snow crystals, the individual snowflake portraits now will be reviewed for a possible book.  John has been developing a technique for photographing snowflakes that he uses for prints and in printmaking projects.

John's formal education, from RIT, is in graphic arts, photography and commercial printing.

He owns and operates Creative Impressions Screen Printing company and has a blog to support all of his processes.  You can visit his website by clicking on John Stacey - Screen Printing and Letterpress, in the "Artist's Contact" column on the right, and then click on the URL below to check out his blog:

http://theartdept101.blogspot.com

John collects antique printing equipment that he uses for printmaking projects and annually opens his shop to Binghamton University Graphic art students.

John says, "Students today have no exposure to how the printing process was accomplished before the advent of computers and photography.  They are usually impressed with the quality of work done by these workhorses and some even venture off to find similar equipment to use in their projects."

Over the past several year's John has been developing a unique technique for photographing snow flakes that he uses for prints and in printmaking projects.  He prints on various types of backgrounds, including cloth, paper and board.

As you can see, many of his themes relate to his love of nature and has expressed it in representations of landscape and portrait, and from great heights while pursuing a passion of hot air ballooning.

John would be happy to discuss any projects you may have, relating to printing, and is available for commission work.  Please contact him via his website or through this blog!

He is a unique artist who can provide messages for your personal and business needs, via artwork and words.

Linda Cunningham - White Moon Designs

Linda Cunningham is a professional artist, specializing in both Fine Arts, and Arts and Crafts.

Over the years, Linda has owned and operated two successful store fronts, Mouse House in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Annabelle's Gift Baskets in Cooperstown, New York.

Linda studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of South Alabama, majoring in Fine Arts.

She is also a self-taught Arts and Crafts artisan in the folk art arena, learning tole painting, wood working and more!

Along with studying art, she provided art instruction to individuals and in class settings...studies included painting, stained glass, porcelain dolls, sewing, and other hand arts.

Currently, she is creating Venetian and Feather Masks, a craft that came from her experiences having worked with a Krewe in Mobile, Alabama, as they prepared for Mardi Gras.

For those of you who aren't "in the know," Krewe is defined as a group that prepares events for Mardi Gras...check out wikipedia, below, for further information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krewe

The mask pictured up top is a recent production and is one of many for sale for your upcoming events...such as for Mardi Gras, Wiccan festivals, and/or for costume parties!!! 

The mask pictured on the left shows how she can create a classic work, full of interest and detail, in one color!

Linda's masks were offered for sale in The French Quarter, New Orleans, for past Mardi Gras events, when she lived in that part of the country.

Along with this unique creations, Linda also produces individualized totes.  The totes are made of quilting materials, hand cut, hand stitched, embroidered, and may be personalized. 

Should you be interested in seeing the selections of totes on hand, as they are not currently displayed on her website, please contact Linda...link posted under "Artist's Contact" on the right column of this blog...and she'll be happy to email you photos of her current works.

She is also willing to customize a tote for you...while they are one size, 17 inches square with an ample 19 inch handle,  with room enough for books, binders and your laptop, prices vary based on design and personalization requests, but all are very affordable.

Linda resides in Western Massachusetts and is happy to ship to any destination in the United States. 

Check out her website for more information about her masks and contact her via that website for more about her totes:

http://www.whitemoondesigns.com/

All of her creations are one-of-a-kind and something that you'll have and enjoy for many years...they also make great gifts for those hard-to-buy-for giftees!