This silkscreen printing and papercutting workshop explores the connection between art and the everyday through the Chinese philosophy Taoism: the ancestral influence of Japanese Zen. After discussions, we will experience some of the principles through image inspiration from Chinese papercutting. We will create our own designs, then apply them as templates onto silkscreens to print in colors and multiples. Come away with your own collection set of printed papers with ideas and skills to make future prints.

‍Limit: 6 students, ages 18 and up

Materials fee of $65 includes:

• a 10”x14” wood silkscreen for you to keep
• tape for the frame
• large tracing paper sheets
• silkscreen inks and additives
• cleaning supplies
• other supplies for printing

Students should bring (recommended stores: Michael’s or Blick Art. These two have both physical and online stores. There is a Michael’s physical store near McDaniel College):

• X-Acto knife with extra blades (other art/craft cutting knife is okay too). You can do everything with scissors, but the art knife will give you more control and detail work.
• 15 sheets of assorted printing paper, 12”x18”. Up to 18”x24” if you want to print larger. The best papers are 100 to 250 gsm, absorbent, not highly textured. If you buy a paper pad, it will be less expensive than single sheets. Hereis a list of recommended papers:
  - 1 sheet of print making paper (to cut down). 22”x30” Rives BFK or Stonehenge or Lenox 100. (250gsm in white or cream)
  - Thinner papers to print and practice on like Strathmore 400 Drawing Paper pad (130 gsm). These will be in white.
  - Color papers like Canson Ingres Drawing Paper (100 gsm) sold by single sheets. Strathmore 300 color paper pad (118gsm). Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper Pad, assorted colors (95 gsm) and/or Strathmore 400 Series Artagain (a pad with assorted colors) (160gsm)
• One newsprint pad, 50sheets, 12”x18”. Get 18”x24” if you want to print larger.
• A pair of scissors
• Any additional papers you would like to print on (color paper is nice). Do not bring construction paper.
• Wear old clothes or bring a work apron (you will get ink on your clothes)
• Latex or rubber gloves (otherwise, you will get ink on your hands and the dyes stay on your hands for several days)

OPTIONAL to bring:

• 1 yard or more of Kona Cotton or Quilting Cotton (100% cotton) in a solid color to print on. Can also bring fabric remnants. 100% cotton t-shirts are fun to print on! Michael’s has inexpensive t-shirts.
• Metal bowls, rubber spatulas, plastic containers with sealed lid (recycled yogurt containers are good) for art (NOTE: these can't be used for food afterwards!). The instructor will bring some, but extra is helpful.
• An iron. If printing on fabrics, they need to be ironed first. The instructor will bring one, but you might like to use your own.