Remembering Larry

Two years ago today my friend (and friend to so many others) Larry Sommers passed away suddenly. Larry was the Health and Safety Coordinator and the Printmaking Technician at the University of Washington where I got my BFA in Printmaking. He was always there in his office in the Printmaking department  - ready to answer any question, troubleshoot any problem, and most importantly have a good chat or a hearty laugh. He was extremely intelligent, politically passionate, and cared so much for the students he worked with. Did I mention he was funny? He was. I can still hear his laugh and picture that look he'd get on his face when you shocked him with some hilarious (or dirty) joke.

Larry had a way of bringing people together, through the information he shared with us as students or the warm atmosphere he created in the studio by just being there. The studio felt like a home away from home for so many of us, and a big part of that was due to Larry. We felt safe there - with him watching over us, and helping us make the art we loved without risking our heath to do it.  For many of us, it was a time that was shaping such an important part of our future - the decision to be artists or to make art a part of our lives forever.

After I graduated I took a position as a Printmaking and Painting Tech at a small, private art school in our town. When I walked into a huge heath and safety disaster on my first day (for one - the school had no way of disposing their mineral spirits, had been storing them in huge barrels over the years, and hinted that I might just dump them outside behind the school) I called Larry. I was in way over my head. With his guidance I was able to organize the school's first Heath and Safety Committee that still stands today. Without his help and encouragement that would have never happened.

The last time I saw Larry I had been asked to visit a UW printmaking class and show my current portfolio of work. Part of me felt a little ashamed, because what I was showing was graphic design and illustration, not Printmaking. Larry was always excited to share with students what exactly people did with their BFA's. He kept a running list on a yellow legal pad. Each year he'd catch up with former students, add to the list and read it to the graduating class. I remember feeling filled with hope the year he read it to us. But somehow, returning as one of the people on the list I felt like I was betraying my roots. When I opened my portfolio Larry said "Wow! You can really see that you have a Printmaking background." Knowing that he could see that in my work made me beam - it meant the world to me.

He is missed.

Here is a link to the Larry Sommers Memorial Art Fellowship (currently accepting calls for submissions) at Seattle Print Arts.

Getting Started

Meet Mississippi Charles Bevel. I had the chance to meet him a few months ago when he was visiting my town. A super-talented musician, and a sweet soul to boot. One gray and rainy afternoon I looked up from my dreary desk to see him walking by my window wearing his signature bowler cap adorned with a feather and this humongous rainbow umbrella. It was such a cheerful scene, I knew I had to make a drawing. I made a quick sketch, reworked it a few times in my sketchbook and then began laying it out in trusty Illustrator. I sent a digital print to Mississippi, but I wanted more!

I've been looking for an excuse to purchase some new silkscreen supplies, and this seems to be the perfect reason. Back in my art school days I was addicted to screen printing. I loved mixing the pudding-thick colors, planning out separations and watching the ink seep into the paper. I even stole my lucky squeegee (named Peterson) from the supply cabinet in the studio before I graduated. As time went by my screen printing obsession was always in the back of my mind but jobs, computers, and small spaces got in the way. I'm in a much bigger space now, and I have a lot more time on my hands. So, taking a cue from The Police, Peterson is ready to come out of his retirement and rock the screen once again. I may document the process and post it here.

And, as if I needed even another reason to get going it is also time for the Print Zero Studios Print Exchange. What started out as a small local exchange organized by a former classmate of mine has now grown to include many national and international artists. The last exchange included something like 200+ participants. All you have to do is make a wee edition of 15 prints, and you get 15 back from all around the world. A pretty good deal if you ask me. If you are a printmaker or even curious about getting started in printmaking and need a little extra motivation, I'd strongly suggest looking into this!

Printmakers unite!