this weekend take a walk through the fields.... and through the flowers
photo by kristen bach
Instant Inspiration
pottery sales
this past weekend was the semi annual pottery sales out in nearby farmington. there are lots of good potters out there, and so much fun to drive out in the country and visit all the studios. not to mention fun to see all the creativity. i buy some pots for inspiration and to support these people i love, who, like me, are pouring their energy into trying to make a living doing what they love. got to support that.
photos and words by rebecca wood
Yarn + garden
we were on a walk through a neighborhood in atlanta and saw this sweet garden. i loved the yarn that they used yarn to divide the beds. a little burst of color before the bounty arrives.
photos and words by kristen bach
double dutch press
double dutch press opened in athens last july, in the normaltown neighborhood. it quickly became our go-to place for printing needs- they printed the cover for the arrow cookbook. the printmaking studio was founded by a former rwooder, amanda burk, and katherine mcguire. the two met while studying printmaking at UGA and after various stints away from athens, they returned to open the studio together.
a while back, we asked them a few questions:
- what inspired you to create your own printmaking studio?
It took a few years to realize that there was something very important to us missing from our daily lives and something very important missing from Athens cultural scene: an accessible print studio. Many printmaking processes require large and/or expensive equipment, and space and maintenance that is not always practical for an individual. A printmaking studio makes this equipment accessible and offers the sense of community that we missed after graduate school. Printmakers have to "play nice" in the studio: we all play off of each others' energy and learn responsible creativity by expressing ourselves artistically in a shared space.
- please summarize what you offer at double dutch.
Our printmaking studio supports plate lithography, relief, and fine art screenprinting - with etching to be introduced in the Spring. (It should be noted that we focus on artwork produced on paper - while we can teach people techniques for printing on other substrates such as t-shirts, we do not teach t-shirt printing nor do we do contract t-shirt printing.)
We have four modes of operation:
1. Instruction: We teach workshops in the mediums the studio supports and offer individual instruction in these mediums as well. You can view our calendar of upcoming workshops (and purchase spots in them) in the Calendar section of our website, www.doubledutchpress.com.
2. Press Services:
- Press Rental: We have 2 combination presses used for printing for plate lithography, relief, and coming soon: etching. We also have 3 vacuum tables for screen printing.
- Screen Services: Double Dutch Press knows how hard it can be to properly reclaim, coat, and burn screens at home. So, for those interested in printing at home in their own studio (or here, you just aren't obligated to do so) we offer screen reclamation and coating and exposure services. You can have your screens cleaned here and be on your way, or opt in for the whole she-bang. It is $6 per screen for cleaning, $10 for coating and exposure, and $15 for the full suite (printing of art not included - for standard screen sizes up to 25 x 36").
- Screen Rental: We rent screens for printing on-site at Double Dutch.
3. Contract Printing: Double Dutch Press offers Contract Design & Print Services. Whether you are looking for a place to reproduce your artwork in a traditional printmaking medium like lithography (fine art editioning), get posters or albums for your band printed, or create an extra special invite, we've got you covered. Rates will vary from project to project, so feel free to reach out to us for timing and a quote.
4. Proprietary Printing: Double Dutch Press produces its own line of printed goods which vary from stationery and seasonal cards to fine art prints to goods for the home. Our current offerings can be found in the Shop! section of our website or in the retail section of our store.
parting thoughts, from double dutch:
We are really excited about all of the possibilities Double Dutch Press offers: We get to help educate others in these art making techniques, offer press rental etc. for those already familiar with them, and produce work (both for others and ourselves) on a daily basis. We are happy to have created a studio that is well-appointed, comfortable, and affordable for those who wish to use it.
photographs by rinne allen.
the little mailbox
at the acheson home, there is a tiny mailbox installed on the street. daughters beatrice and clementine receive little notes and special gifts from passersby. inside their house, they have a shelf full of the left treasures.
words and photographs by rinne allen
pressing flowers
we love pressing flowers.... it's a great way to preserve the season! if you don't have a fancy flower press...press them inside of some books and place a big book or two on top. wait a couple of weeks and enjoy!
photos and words by kristen bach
farmhouse pop-up
for the last two and a half years, kristen has had a little shop called treehouse that sells great things for kids, as well as craft supplies for all of their great classes (for kids & adults). over drinks a few months ago, a group of us conjured the idea of a special pop-up shop, just in time for mother's day. a corner of treehouse was transformed as we installed some special things made (or found) by local friends: kristen, rebecca, amanda, rinne, field trip, home.made, three porch farm, the national, double dutch, smokey road press, sweet olive farm, and many others! inspired by life on the farm, the items include special handmade goodies, edible treats, things for the garden, found treasures, and original art. the pop-up runs until may 13, so stop by to check it out and find something special.
words and photographs by rinne allen
kinfolk community gathering
we were very happy to discover kinfolk magazine when they published their first issue. we were even happier to be able to contribute, in a small way, to a few of their issues through our photos. so, now, we are equally happy to be hosting a dinner, here in athens, georgia, on their behalf...
on saturday, may 4, we will be hosting one of an on-going series of community gatherings- this one, a flower potluck. tickets are available here. there will be concurrent dinners happening all over the globe- athens is in good company!
we will walk through the garden, cut some flowers then have a simple flower arranging workshop led by rinne. we will also have food & drink provided by our friend nathan brand of the national and shotgun dinners. our friend hope hilton will be illustrating something special for each guest, and kristen and rinne will be talking photographs, so we will share them with you soon.
so, until then go grab some flowers, wherever you are and enjoy them.
words and photographs by rinne allen.
spring
This is how spring happens sometimes. you go to bed with bare branches against the starry sky,but after a night rain and a warm night,you wake up the next day and everything is solid chartreuse!
photo by Rebecca Wood
wood-fired beads
I made some beads out of clay. When they were dry, I sprayed them with copper spray paint, and packed them into an old coffee can with some hay and small pieces of pine wood. I laid it in the bottom of a backyard fire and burned it a few hours. In the morning, you get to see the interesting results. Next time i will fire with horse manure, as that is supposed to make the clay more black.
photos and words by Rebecca Wood
What is Left
After rebecca makes her pieces in clay, these lovely drawings remain.
phots and words by Rebecca Wood
embroidery projects
I discovered disappearing ink at the fabric store. It's the perfect thing to draw some quince onto this hemp linen skirt panel. Draw, and then stitch!
Photos and words by Rebecca Wood
hit the road for parts unknown
Photo by Rebecca Wood
Seating
Not quaint but a good idea.
Photos and words by Rebecca Wood
FRIDA + DIEGO
Last weekend we headed to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta for the Diego & Frida Exhibition. It was a wonderful show and worth a visit!
drawing time
I'm determined to draw more than ever this year. I'm going to let all my ideas come from drawing. One of my favorite art school teachers, Robert Corker, always said to think of 'drawing' in the same sense that you think about 'drawing' water from a well, or 'drawing' someone out. It means to focus on getting nearer and nearer to that something. In my studying, i'm trying to draw out the essence of the branch. What is it's true, unique expression. How can I 'draw' that out?
photos, words, and drawings by Rebecca Wood
Magnolia Love
The Magnolias that are budding and blooming all around me have have been catching my eye hinting that spring is around the corner!
photos and words by Kristen Bach
sparkles in the water
photos and annimation by Kristen bach
glitter
With Valentines Day on it's way, I've have glitter on my mind!
photos and words by Kristen Bach
Urban Farm School in Asheville
I was reading one of my favorite blogsn this morning; small measure and fell in love with her latest post on the Urban Farm School. After thinking long and hard how I forget about my current responsibilities and pack my bags and go I thought writing about it may take it off my mind for a little bit. Asheville is only a few hours away.......hmmmm........
photo taken from the
website