Make Books with Me!

Beginning Tuesday, March 16, I am teaching a Chapbook Making Class for adults through my good friend Leslie Shipman’s Literary Agency. I have a long history of working with both poets and artists, the book above was a collaboration between myself and Elaine Equi.

This class is for anyone interested in making basic book structures. Over 6 weeks, students learn and practice making several different chapbook designs using stitching and folding techniques. We will explore the pros and cons of different designs based on your specific needs and ideas. Whether you want to make unique books or an edition of 100 or more, you will have the skills and knowledge to confidently create the chapbook for your writing at the end of this class. In the first four weeks of class, you will be learning and practicing various book techniques and then image making.

The virtual class offers unlimited interaction and we make the books together. If you are a writer who has always thought about publishing your own chapbook, an artist interested in making books, or a person from a completely unrelated field interested in learning something new, perhaps you want to make journals, this class is for you.

Class is 6:00 to 8:00, March 16 through April 20. It is $300 and you can click here to sign up.

List of Supplies for the First Class:

Several pieces of 18” x 24” paper. It does not need to be precisely that size. You can use a newspaper, brown paper or even wrapping paper. If an art supply shop is close by, you can get a pad of newsprint paper.
Scissors
Pencils, pens, markers, crayons, colored pencils, anything you have on hand.

If you have it, you can add a cutting mat, x-acto knife, glue, cardboard, or heavy board, decorative paper or cloth, (use any rags), but it is not necessary.

Once you sign up you will receive a specific list of supplies to include such things as: Bone folder, Awl, text weight paper, Cover stock, Bookbinding needle, Small binder clips, ruler, pencil, a simple supplies you may already have.

I hope to see you in class!

Portrait of Hilary Lorenz in her NM Studio by Barbara Yoshida.

July 18, 2022 Starts On-line Chapbook Workshop!

Uncategorized

Now is your chance to take a 4 day chapbook workshop with me! This class is taught on-line meeting at 6:30-8:30 EST, Monday July 18, Thursday July 21, Monday July 25 and Thursday July 28.

Folded, Stitched and Glued is a hand-on analog class where you can learn multiple methods of creating chapbooks. You will learn the steps and tools to plan, design, and construct a different form of chapbook each week. You will learn book anatomy, paper selection, sewing, folding, and gluing.

This class is grounded in practice and experimentation. You have the opportunity to try different forms of the chapbook to see how they may influence your writing or artmaking. The class is dedicated to learning techniques and materials so that you can explore what is possible. We will make multiple forms of the same book using different paper or sizes, and you can then add your own unique ideas.

Each week we make a new book structure, with several variations. At the end of class I will give you a descriptive prompt to follow in your practice during the week. Use the prompt to come up with your own ideas.

This class is offered through The Shipman Agency a literary services to writers at all stages of their careers. The Shipman Agency Mission: to provide clients, venues, emerging writers + students with the best possible experience, and to represent authors who are on the cutting edge of contemporary thinking about culture and the world.

Want to sign up? Click Here

Handsome Pepe and his Linocut Portrait

pet portrait, Prints, stonetrigger press

Beautiful Pete with his handsome portrait

Last Fall, I donated a custom pet portrait to the silent auction fundraiser at the Oakland Animal Services, where my friend Audra is instrumental in the care and placement of kittens and cats. I love to donate my carving and printing skills to raise money while making custom portraits for families. This is the beautiful Pepe, age 15 years young and a handsome boy indeed.

Romy, the human companion to Pepe, won the bid, but somehow we did not connect until winter. A phone number or email was wrong, but eventually, we connected. Romy emailed me several sweet photos and Pepe to work from.

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It usually takes me a month to draw, carve, and print a portrait. But thankfully, Romy was incredibly patient because it took me over four months. Caught up in the COVID-19 epidemic from Brooklyn, and later the Adirondack Mountains where SIP meant I got to stay in the country, yes this was awesome, but I could not return home where my press was.

I carved a bit each day, making extra fine details since I had time. Because I was slow in completing the project, I felt like it better be extra good. Above is a short clip of me carving the 9″ x 5″ block.

Pepe, linocut block in progress

This is the block at about 80% complete. And finally, it was time, after three months, to drive back to Brooklyn where my press was. I had some beautiful Awagami Factory handmade limited edition Gampi paper for printing Pepe waiting for me.

I was so happy how it printed, how the ink laid on the paper. It was awesome to be back in Brooklyn at home and have my press. I made an edition of 14, dried it, signed each print, and packages it up.

I am so thankful to have this opportunity and the extra time to make this linoleum block print of Pete. It was truly an honor.

If you have a printing project in mind or are curious to have a portrait of your pet; dog, cat, turtle, horse, pig, otter, bear, your name it, I would be happy to talk.

Paper Boats

Folded Paper, linoleum block print, Prints

After thinking about all the catch-up posts I could write at the end of 2019, rather than look back, I will show you what I am doing now, right now.

22″ x 15″ linoleum block print

I spent the last month carving a 22″ x 15″ linoleum block of three boats. The prints from this block, an edition of 24, will be folded into paper boats and exhibited in San Juan Puerto Rico during the Southern Graphic Council Conference, April 2020.

Curated by Mary Sherwood Brock, the exhibition chair of the Los Angeles Printmaking Society, 20 artists will be creating work for this themed portfolio. Also, two of my boats set sail to Los Angeles this week to be exhibited a part of a Paper Boats traveling installation first opening at Self Help Graphics’ January 11, 2020 exhibition ImMigration.

I began working with the theme of boats, specifically canoes and self “home” made boats two years ago. I have a fantasy of building my own boat, launching it into the Hudson, and quietly paddling away with my two labradors, camping as we travel the countries rivers. I have made ceramic boats, paper boats, carvings of boats, watercolor, and pencil drawing of boats. My next step is a life-size canoe that I can float from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, LMCC, Governors Island studio to my home in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

This paper boat project allowed me to think more about island living, attempts to cross oceans, whether it be for adventure, escape, sport, or migration. During my carving, I listened to “438 Days, An extraordinary story of survival at sea” about José Salvador Alvarenga, a Salvadoran fisherman who is swept up in a storm and kicked around by the sea from Mexico to the Marshall Islands. A harrowing tale for sure. But there is something romantic about boats, they can be built from almost anything, and if you live by the water, that means endless possibilities.

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Side view of Paper Boat, by Hilary Lorenz

Top view of paper boats by Hilary Lorenz

Inside view of the paper boat, by Hilary Lorenz

Folding paper boats with Hilary Lorenz

For the next few weeks, I will fine-tune my folding skills and printing the edition of 24. I may make a few alterations as I am three months ahead. I am incredibly pleased to be a part of Mary’s themed portfolio. I can’t wait to see what this project ushers in.

I will set sail into the new year, 2020 with these.

Happy New Year, everyone!

LMCC Open Studio on Governors Island

LMCC Process Space, Open Studio

Hilary Lorenz Studio Governors Island

Join me this Saturday, October 19, on Governors Island for the first Open Studio. Meet the 2019-2020 cohort of artists who are exploring themes of social justice/social practice, NYC Harbor, Governors Island history, and climate change.

We have only been in the studio for one month but a lot is underway. I invite you to hand-print pre-carved linoleum blocks of various types of boats and ships that use New York Harbor using my printing press. To complement your take-home print and to foster a dialogue about New York’s waterways each person will receive a status record as to how many of their selected ship uses the harbor on a specific day.

Come Explore the work of this year’s cohort, visit LMCC’s new Arts Center, and enjoy fall on Governors Island before it closes to the public on Oct 31!

Open Studios with Artists-in-Residence at LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island

Saturday, October 19, 2019

from 12 PM to 5 PM

LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island

110 Andes Rd. New York, NY 10004

This event is free.

Ferries run regularly from Lower Manhattan and from Brooklyn Bridge Park to LMCC’s Arts Center. See ferry schedule here

Please note: While this is an open event, space is limited. There may be a wait to enter the studios.

Abiquiu Open Studio!

Prints, stonetrigger press

And I am not there…..My favorite time of the year and the best weekend to travel to Abiquiu, NM for open studio. I love opening my studio to the public and sharing all the work I made over the year. But a workplace accident, a steel painting easel got knocked over and, well, I got impaled by it. Thankfully my good friend Dr. Les sewed me up. I will be fine, she did a great job. But more importantly.

For open studio my Raven was selected for the cover of the studio tour map, but somehow I do not have any Ravens available in Abiquiu, I have then in NYC. One cannot plan for everything, but I can make you an offer…..

Hilary_Lorenz_Lg_Raven

The handprinted linoleum block Raven is 30″ tall and 22″ wide. It is printed on Arches Buff Paper in an edition of 15, I only have a few left, so if you want one, now is the time, free shipping! For more information and to buy one – Click here to go to my Etsy Store

Moth Migration Project Australia

Australia, Bundaberg Regional Gallery, Gympie Regional Gallery, Moth Migration Project, Uncategorized

There are just 10 more days to see the Moth Migration Project installed at Oak Hill Gallery in Mornington, V.I.C Australia. This is the third gallery in six months that the MMP has opened at in Australia. Each site hosted community-based moth making workshops, which either I taught or one of the gallery’s artists, and at times a combination of both.

Hilary_lorenz_Moth+Migration_Project_Oak_Hill_Gallery

Here is a little peek at some of the installation shots from the show.

Hilary_lorenz_Moth+Migration_Project_Photo_by_Melanie_Jacobson

Hilary_lorenz_Moth+Migration_Project_Photo_by_Karen_Neal

Hilary_lorenz_Moth+Migration_Project_Photo_by_Julie_Tilson

It has been an exciting six months. I flew to Brisbane at the end of April to install the Moth Migration Project in the Gympie Regional Gallery. Working with the amazing staff and Joolie Gibbs the gallery director, we installed a massive installation in record time. In under a week, the exhibition was up, I had three radio interviews, conducted a workshop and went on a gorgeous hike. Here is a brochure they designed for the exhibition along with public programs.

Gympie_Regional_Gallery_Moth_Migration_Project

I have loads of photos from Gympie, and I will highlight a few here. The gallery itself is massive, it is a beautiful and original School of Arts Building, built in 1905.

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Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia

I then traveled to the Bundaberg Regional Gallery to meet with Jenny Gilbertson. With the help of their volunteers and volunteers from Childers Art Gallery, we installed the exhibition in 2 room and 2 halls. The architecture was much different between Gympie and Bundaberg and we had some fun features to play with.

The exhibition looked fantastic. We crowded the moths tight together from floor to ceiling as you can see here:

Moth Migration Project at Bundaberg Regional Gallery

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Moth Migration Project at Bundaberg Regional Gallery

I am still exhausted but so pleased with these exhibitions. It was a thrill to be back in Australia, I had not been there in almost ten years when I was in residence at Lake St. Clair in Tasmania. I see a lot more time in Australia in my near future.

I want to thank everyone for coming out, for being a part of this massively growing project. If you are interested in learning more about the MMP, please see the website at mothmigrationproject.net

HIKING THE CHILKOOT TRAIL-PART 2

artist residency, Chilkoot Trail

I am still so happy after 2 weeks of eating out of a titanium cup.

The Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency is an award of two weeks living on the Chilkoot Trail, the historic Klondike Gold Rush Trail running from Dyea Alaska to Bennet British Columbia. It is where over 100,000 people traveled to seek their fortune in Dawson City, Yukon, though very few made it and even fewer got rich. The trail is only 33 miles, but the steep 3000-foot climb destroyed many of the gold seekers and over 100 years later that still created anxiety for many of the hikers. Trail runners can cover the distance in one to two days, many hikers, speed through it in 3, leisure hikers in 5 days, but we had 14 days.

Views along the first section of the Chilkoot Trail

One the US portion of the trail, Alaska, there is Finnegan’s Point, Canyon City, Pleasant Camp, Sheep Camp, Happy Camp, Deep Lake, Lindeman City, Bare Loon and Bennett Lake. The first four camps are in Alaska and the last five in British Columbia. The entire Alaska side is in the wilderness, except climbing the boulder fields to the pass. It then opens up into the most spectacular scenery I have known.

Our first Chilkoot Trail river crossing

We quickly got our routine down. Hike at a decent pace to our next camp, pitch our tents, felt the water, put anything with a scent, all food, toiletries, gas canisters, cook pots, bug dope, stove, etc., into the bear lockers. The area is home to both black and brown aka grizzly bears, and it is imperative not to invite them into camp with your food. We would then cook and eat our dinners, mine was usually dehydrated soup mix with couscous or dehydrated mash potatoes.

My “worst” meal, because I ran short of food calculating two weeks was 12 days instead of 14 (clearly I was not thinking) was a mixture of instant mash potatoes and a small handful of pistachios. But you know, no matter what one eats, it always tastes good out in the woods. I would often skip breakfast, but I still had coffee, lunch was often almonds. It may sound dismal, but I had carefully planned three meals a day plus snacks, 2000 calories each day, into little ziplock backs. I just ran short a couple of days, which was not a big deal.

I see so many hikers with tons of unwanted and food, fearing they will starve in their short hikes I cringe at how heavy their packs must be. I would rather be mildly hungry than carry unwanted and excess items. I already had almost 50 pounds of gear on my back, with my art supplies and 200 bingo games.

I had my tent, sleeping bag, rain gear, one pair of pants, one pair of shorts, two short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve shirt, a hat, gloves, puffy jacket, 12 pairs of underwear. I can wear the same t-shirt and shorts for two weeks straight as long as I have a change of underthings. I had my MSR pocket rocket stove, two small gas cans, matches, lighter, toothpaste, sunscreen, lotion, bug repellent, parks communication radio, and a giant can of bear spray. I had all I needed.

Continued at Part 3 coming next week. If you did not see Part 1, click here

One of many Chilkoot Trail Waterfalls

Chilkoot Trail water Crossing at Pleasant Camp

Chilkoot Trail water Crossing

A cairn to lead our way

Trail dog having a good time.

small waterfall on AK side. of Chilkoot Trail

Melting snow on the Chilkoot

Hilary hanging out her in tent

Loads of cool fungi on the trail.

Start of the pass climb

Artists, don’t forget the application for the Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency is due February 1, 2019. click here for details at the Yukon Art Center .

Hiking the Chilkoot Trail-Part 1

artist residency, Chilkoot Trail

This post was written initially October 6, 2018, but held back until the Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency Applications opened on January 5, 2019.

The Klondike!

As I write this, I am on-board a flight to New Mexico, for our annual Abiquiu Open Studio Tour. This downtime gave me time to recount one of my most amazing and rewarding adventures as an Artist in Resident on the Chilkoot Trail with the Yukon Arts Center.

On July 20, 2018, I boarded a flight from Albuquerque, NM to Juneau, Alaska where I would meet my hiking buddy, Nancy Morrill. Nancy who would arrive at the same as me was flying from Saranac Lake, NY. Our flights got in at 11pm, and we were quick to get to our Airbnb on Douglas Island so that we could get to sleep before our first big adventure. The following morning, we met hired guide, from ABAK to take us out onto the Mendenhall Glacier. We could not have asked for better guides. The two female guides managed our group exceedingly well. They were immensely knowledgable about the geologic history of the glacier and equally strong in handling fatigued person situations. ABAK fully outfitted us with climbing gear, safety equipment, even water, and snacks. It was a spectacular and beautiful experience with the opportunity to learn about how climate change is affecting Mendenhall.

The Hike to the Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier

Nancy Morrill and Hilary Lorenz on Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier

The following morning, we boarded with all our gear the fast ferry, Alaska Fjordlines, to Skagway. The small boat with about 40 people made numerous stops to watch the whales, harbor seals and sea lions play in the water. Captain Glen would stall the ferry each time we saw a whale or a seal colony. It was a beautiful 4-hour trip that also goes to Haines, AK before arriving in Skagway.

Captain Glen of Alaska Fjordlines

Leaving Juneau on the fast ferry

Despite being 45 minutes late due to all the whale watching, Kerry, owner of the Swaying Spruce Cabin was there to pick us up. She drove us through the tiny tourist town and up the hill to her cabin. It is a delightful area, only 1.5 miles out of town but away from the hordes of cruise ship tourists. We had a couple of nights to get ready for our big adventure. I took a nine-mile run down to the NPS campground where we would stay the evening before hiking the Chilkoot Trail, the official start of my residency. We spent the morning with the NPS staff getting our bear avoidance, radio, and trail training. Both NPS and Canadian Parks are partners with the Yukon Art Center’s residency program. I packed close to 200 Chilkoot Bingo Games plus boxed sets that I gave to NPS, Alaska Geographic and Skagway Traditional Council, all of whom are sponsors and donors to the artist residency.

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park with Range Cassie.

Chillin’ on the Chilkoot bingo Cards

With our training complete, food all packed we were dropped at the campground. I was so excited to begin the hike. We pitched our tents and went out for a 6-hour walk into the ghost town of Dyea, now a beautiful campground. We stopped in at the only place to eat in Dyea, the Chilkoot Trail Outpost where we drank local beer and ate salmon sandwiches. While there, we met a couple who just completed the Chilkoot Trail and wouldn’t you know it, they are also from New York, and they live less than 5 miles from Nancy in the Adirondack Park!

Hilary Lorenz and Nancy Morrill with our last beer and a proper meal before heading onto the Chilkoot Trail

Nancy and I said goodnight and went to our campsite, I was almost too excited to sleep. The following morning we began the trail with a half mile of the rugged, muddy mess. I imagined that the first mile or two are wildly popular for day hikes and the path gets pretty beat up, and yes, it soon became less torn up. The first night we would stay in Finnegan’s camp, a short 4-mile hike through the woods. We met two couple there, both men were military, and they all live in Anchorage. I pulled out the bingo games, and they pulled out the boxed wine and cigars. I passed on both. This was the first official Chillin’ on the Chilkoot Bingo game, and the first night I answered the park service’s call in with my handle, “Artist 3.”

Chilkoot Trail Marker

Historic signs in Dyea

Dyea, AK once home to 8,000 to 10,000 Gold Rush residence.

Hilary Lorenz signing into the trail log book.

The beginning of the Chilkoot Trail

The first downhill of the Chilkoot Trail

Views along the first section of the Chilkoot Trail

Here is how I looked at the beginning of the trail. Bear spray strapped to my front.

A bit of muddy walk along the route.

The Chilkoot Trail

artist residency, Chilkoot Trail, Exhibitions

If you follow my blog, you saw numerous posts as I prepared for my Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency in 2018. Now you get a glimpse into the trail I hike from Dyea, Alaska to Bennett Lake, British Columbia. This beautiful video was shot and edited by the awesomely talented Steve Hossack who lives in Anchorage Alaska.

I spent two days with Steve and Sarah Frey who is the marketing and development director at the Yukon Arts Center while they filmed my final days on the trail. They are both incredibly charming people and were a blast to work with.

The Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency application is now open, the deadline to apply is February 1, 2019. Click here to Apply

Over the next few days, I will make several posts about my project, the trail, and my preparation, so stay tuned!

Chillin’ on the Chilkoot Trail Hand Printed Bingo Cards

My first night on the trail, and first round of Bingo with fellow hikers.

Artifacts still on the trail since the 1890’s

more Klondike Gold Rush artifacts on the trail.

The beginning of the steep pass

My morning radio checkin with the rangers.

At camp with 48 hikers the night before crossing the pass. We played 6 rounds of Bingo for great prizes. People went home with my hand made and signed bingo cards.