[Alicia Colina-Ashby] Rainy weather and flash flood watches in DFW were not enough to keep people away from the Mohawk Letterpress Show at The Apartment Wednesday night. Barbara Wardlow, who represents Mohawk Paper in Texas, brought together seven area designers for this unique boutique event.
Virginia Green of Black Hare Studio had a small press on hand to help guests pull their own prints. Many learned that it takes more muscle to pull a print than you might guess. She also had on hand her hilarious graphic “12 Days of a Designer” card including phrases like, “12 Bossy Clients, 11 Unbilled Hours, 10 Late Night Press Checks,” etc. — clever and visually engaging.
Professionals and paperphiles alike mingled among the paper and the artists that letterpressed it. Yummy bites and drinks were served. Meanwhile, Lily Smith+Kirkley of Lilco Press presented a charmingly fluorescent array of greeting cards that featured hypnotizing textile inspired patterns — madras, plaid, ikat, and gingham. I think I’ll begin dreaming in those hand carved patterns — they’re totally unforgettable! {Feast your eyes on Lilco here!}
Die-cut squirrel gift cards with beautiful satin ribbons caught my eye right away. Jason McDaniel of Missing Q Press displayed his love of nature in his 2010 limited-edition calendar. The illustrations are an element that may cause you to skip ahead in the printed year to see what visual fun lies ahead.
A passion for typography was on display in posters by Virgil Scott of Studio 204. They were a lovely interplay of color and typography. The Texas poster in particular was intriguing with the giant hand cut letters existing on top of one another. I watched as Kim Neiman of Studio 204 demonstrated her multi-piece holiday accordion cards that showcase vintage cuts and beautiful typography. Who wouldn’t be absolutely delighted to receive either one in the mail!? Her mini bound alphabet books were hard to put down since they were so little, cute and meticulously bound.
I tried on many of the Halloween inspired masks by Rhonda Camp Warren of Color Box Designs and couldn’t pick a favorite. My masked eye was distracted by the adorable collection of gift tags and stunning correspondence sets featuring birds, flourishes, botanicals, initials and fun illustrations.
Posters proclaimed “I LOVE TYPE” and “LIVE IN THE NOW” used split fountain with metallic ink to accomplish captivating color effects. Casey McGarr of Inky Lips Letterpress recently had his “Vegas Vic” self promotion poster featured on FPO — it was a great opportunity to see it in person.
This show was an event where the artists opened up their endless imaginations and welcomed us to have a peak. What an outstanding collection of work and true buffet for the eyes.
The invitation scoop:
Invitation design and letterpress by Rhonda Camp Warren of Color Box Design. The gorgeous invitation (5.75″ x 9″) was printed on Strathmore Writing Wove, Bright White, 130 cover bristol.
Alicia Colina-Ashby is a freelance Art Director in Dallas, Texas. She considers herself a paper lover and folder, chocolate connoisseur, and auction tourist. Alicia’s recycled paper accessories will be available on Felt & Wire Shop starting next week.
Photos by: Samantha Reitmayer, Rovillo + Reitmayer. You can swoon over her blog, too.
