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On June 15, 2006, midway through Paper & Book Intensive, John sent this "Dispatch from On the Road" to the Book Arts Discussion List.
PBI: Report from LaPorte June 15, 2006 Midway through Paper & Book Intensive in LaPorte, Indiana. I should be printing a woodcut right now, using traditional Japanese tools (sumi ink, a barren made of bamboo, a brush made of palm)... but instead I've taken a walk through the woods, stumbled upon a woods-sculpture, and now I've come to write to all of you. It's my first PBI in ten years. I was at the two that were held at Penland in '95 and '96, and then it was graduate school at the Alabama Book Arts Program, and since then, I've been in my own self-made book arts world back home in South Florida. Last night, while I sat alone honing a knife I've been making over the course of the past few days, a couple of other PBIers came in to see me. We chatted for a while, and then they left me in my quiet honing mode, and I realized how wonderful it is to be back in the presence of people who think books and paper, like I do. Ten years is far too long. I've made two knives here in Jeff Peachey's "Making and Sharpening Knives" class, and I've sharpened the knives and scissors I brought with me. Rumor is that my French paring knife is now the sharpest in town. And for the first time, my knives have sheathes. Who would have thought that "Horse Butt" would become part of my serious working vocabulary? And I'm working again with Richard Flavin, in his "Traditional Japanese Woodcut" class. I've taken classes with Richard at all of the PBIs I've been to, as much to hear him speak the occasional Japanese word as to learn the traditional Japanese techniques he brings to PBI. I've learnt from him how to make huge sheets of kozo, how to decorate paper as it's being made, and now, how to print, in a manner I've never experienced before. As a Vandercook guy, this new (old) method is a little frustrating... but that's something I'll work through over the course of this day in the woods of Northwestern Indiana. The food's been A-OK. Last night, meatloaf with peas and carrots. For the vegetarians, turkey meat loaf. This morning, there was a Bisquick coffee cake with cinnamon crumbs. If my grandmother had been from Indiana instead of a small town in southern Italy, I imagine this is how she would have cooked. The beds are bunk beds, and I'm on top. The weather's been fine. Wish you were here. John Cutrone "Thank you, and write when you can." |
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