The Beginning of My Idea

It seems writing one's ideas should be a simple task. I've kept a journal for years, filled with the good and the bad as well as the accompanying prayers. I've encouraged others to do the same. I love the way a good pen interacts with a good sheet of paper. I love to sketch in the margins of my notes and books. Typing.....is more of a chore to me. I am not a poor typist. I am actually rather fast but composing as one types, that seems difficult for me. I skip words and mispell as I don't have the pen to slow me down and sometimes I type the things I am thinking aside from my writing which can be humorous but not so nice to figure out later. In any case this is my disclaimer passage for anyone who ventures to read this. I hope you will and that you'll find the things I investigate and share of some use whether entertaining or informative.

Here's what I plan to do. I want to use this space to have a discussion about printmaking. I would like to share items of interest, the process of building my new organization The Black-Eyed Press and to introduce the artists and members. Our potential instructors and their work. I will also include some historical prints and some of the provenance that surrounds them. Emile H. Mathis has agreed so generously to be part of my blog by allowing me the opportunity to take images from his amazing collection of more than 2000 works on paper. When I learn new techniques or about interesting things going on in town I will also write about those things. I hope that the things I present will engage you and help you to understand my passion towards printmaking.

I am Samira or Sam if that's easier. I am the owner of The Black-Eyed Press LLC. A printmaking studio that exists so far only on paper, but one that hopefully will soon have a home and be well attended and utilized by artists and community members alike. A few months ago a server at a restaurant where a friend and I stopped for lunch said, "If you do what you love, you will never work another day in your life." I want that and to help others to find that. Won't you consider coming along?

The Black Eyed Press will exist to provide independent artists with feasible workspace, community, as well as outlets for promotion, sales and exhibition in mediums of printmaking and book arts.

Please feel free to post questions and comments here or to email me: sam@blackeyedpress.com. I look forward to hearing from you and learning from you. Or check out our Facebook page.