Works on Paper at the Stone School

Many members of the OGPC including Tina Petrovicz, Murray Dineen, Valerie Bridgeman and Freida Hjartson are participating in an exhibition featuring original 5″x 7″ artwork from the 2019 PAA “Works on Paper Exhibition and Exchange”. One piece from the exchange is being exhibited and sold unframed as a fundraiser for Pontiac Artist Association. The vernissage is on July 26 6- 8 PM. The show runs until Aug 18th at the Stone School Gallery in Portage-du-fort, Quebec.

MAKING A BOTTLE JACK PRESS

by Francine Walker

Since I was new to printmaking and didn’t know whether I would continue to seriously pursue my skills, I thought it best to make a press rather than investing in an expensive one.  As it turns out, it was a good investment of less than two hundred dollars. It works well, is solid and easily transportable.  

I went for a 15” wide platen which seemed an ideal width to allow slightly larger prints. If I use a wide paper, I find it’s a good idea to roll the side edges from the back of the paper to ensure good coverage of the sides. The length is irrelevant as I can move the register front and back and simply come down with the bottle jack a few times. Below is a photo of the finished product. Here is the link to a web site article (no press no problem) which gives all the dimensions and materials needed. All the materials which were used are available in Ottawa. The metal posts are available at Canadian Tire, Home Depot and Lowes.

Image of a hydraulic press for printmaking.
Hydraulic press – Photo by Francine Walker