Our First Workshops...........

Wow - our first series of workshops have started. My dear friend, Amanda Brittin ran a one day Bead and Wire workshop this month to rave reviews. I offered a Card Making class which introduced relief and letterpress printing - the first run off my new Vandercook press. Cookstown artist, (and Grande Matriarch) Christina Luck, is running a Transfer Drawing class inspired by the works of Paul Klee.

While all the reno's are not complete, the studio seemed to embrace the workshop formats very well. Luckily, the participants overlooked the patches of unfinished plaster and lack of a central heating system. The creative juices were overflowing and I am excited about the possibility of more classes in the new year. If you want to be included on our education mailing list, drop me a line here and I will make sure you are notified.

Tim

The Presses Arrive

I know I haven't posted much this last month, but with the start-up of another school year and the addition of a new course for this semester, my reno plans got sidelined. But I have great news. I recently acquired a Vandercook SP15 - the Holy Grail of the letterpress universe. (the SP stands for Simple Precision - I like that)

This last weekend, with the aid of some ruggedly handsome men, I was able to move three of my presses into the schoolhouse!

It's beginning to look like a print studio.

Check out the shiny new (old) floors

The last week had been one of those: do-a-lot-of-work but see-little-progress kinda times. Patching walls, cleaning, varnishing floors. You know, essential, but not as rewarding.

But - yesterday we moved the first piece of equipment into the space. The four coats of varnish have dried and I found this wonderful drying rack for about 20% of it's original cost, gotta love Kijiji! Next I move the presses!

I was really overwhelmed when the drying rack arrived. For the first time I was hit with a sense of "it's really going to happen"

By the way, that's Max Lupo (ruggedly handsome studio assistant - his words) in the photo, painting the walls.

Nasty work done!

This last week saw the removal of mouldy insulation and fibreboard from the basement. Upstairs, we focused on patching the plaster and lath and we actually began to paint the wainscotting.

So all the really scary clean up is finished, which means people are welcome to drop by the studio and attempt to visualize the final product.

If you find yourself on Hwy 11, (also called Yonge Street or Simcoe Road 4) take a chance and see if I'm in - 6588 green number, 3rd driveway on the right after the cemetery in Barclay (that's Innisfil Beach Road and Hwy 11) while driving southbound. Just take your GPS!

Deconstruction Complete

Week one comes to a close and we have finished the tearing out and pulling up. All those tiny nails - I'm exhausted but look at that beautiful floor!

Dumpster, Interior & View from the Entrance

A few more pics..........

Madly into Renovations

Well, it is now day 3 of renovations! After getting the property earlier this week, I was so excited by ripping down walls that I completely forgot to add a new post. I have to say that the Tyrone School House is beginning to reassert its identity. We have exposed the original walls and trim and tonight just before leaving I ripped up the smelly old carpet and crumbled away the subfloor to reveal a most amazing hardwood floor in pristine condition - wow, more than I had hoped for!

Print Sale...

I held my print sale this last weekend to accomplish two objectives; raise enough money to rent a cube van and reduce the amount of items I need to move to the school house. I am happy to say that the sale exceeded my expectations and I am grateful to everyone who came out.

I have the much needed cash to assist in the move and I will be packing away less framed works than I had originally thought.

It's always great to discover that people actually want to live with my work and I know that my "offspring" will have good homes.

Thanks to all.

The countdown.......3,2,1

It's now less than three weeks before I close the deal on what will be my new obsession. I have to admit the stress is mounting and I am feeling like the Coyote from the Road Runner show looking into the tunnel .... that train light is getting closer!

Yes, it's finally happening

After many years of talking about getting out of Midland, I have found the perfect solution: an 80 year old one-room schoolhouse in a small village once known as Tyrone, just south of Barrie, Ontario.

The plan (and we all know what happens to plans....) is to turn the Tyrone Schoolhouse into my print studio (and sort-of residence). Create a fully operating print studio and education space to continue my own art practice and offer an operating press to other recent grads of print/fine art programs. Time will tell what direction it takes and just what it will look like.

This site will allow you to follow along with the anguish and triumphs of the renovation and establishment of Octopus Studio Press.