Paisley and the art of screenprinting

[tonypep]

Children can surprise you. This happened yesterday. After a late lunch of smothered pork chops and chicken livers (yes there was a salad) we walked over to one of our favorite antique stores. And there she was. While her mother worked the back, P worked the front, slightly stringy hair and little girl gasses and all. It is not a terribly busy place and they know us. You can keep the door and register open with no worries.
 As the ladies 
discussed  business, I sat down and that is where Paisely decided to show off. She had wrapped her wrists and ankles with hospital tape and announced that she was handicaped. I am fairly observant and knew she had none of those when we walked in and I told her so, ever so gently. She promptly unraveled everything. "See, everything is fine". I had to admire her skills and inquired. She told me her Mother was a nurse before she passed. And then she said "If you can guess what grade I am in, I will tell you a secret" On a whim, I guessed fourth grade and I was astonished to be right. And so she told me. "I am an artist" So she is. She pranced around the shop to show me her works. "None of these are for sale!" The earlier works were elementary as expected, but then, as we passed through a difficult corner there it was. It was wonderful. "That is my best" She was right. Later, I told her that I was a printmaker. She did not quite understand, but then, as we went to leave, Paisley simply said. "Teach me Mr. Tony"
I got a wink and nod from the ladies and made sure that observasion an supervision were in place and there was one thing that struck me.

[tonypep]

It hit me like a brick. The owner came running out with a stool. "She might need this now, go to the car show and let me know when you are ready"

[tonypep]

And the owner was her grandmother. Missed that.

[tonypep]

 The car show was not too large but full. As we pretty much had made the circuit and walk home, I felt a tug on my shirt. It was Paisley, Grandmother in tow of course. She had a flower in her hair and a snowcone in her left hand. "When do we start printing?" Pretty soon was all I could come up with. After all, she did catch me off guard.
I had to choke up on the tears. Motivation comes at you in different ways and sometimes the Lord places Angels in your path when you least expect it.

[balloonguy]

Teaching is the best. I have had a few come through and just spend a day learning. It is awesome to have someone that actually shows interest in the why of things (no just the how). My kids (ages 11, 12 and two 14) all come to work and work like machines but for them it is a paycheck. They do not love the process. My neighbor's son that is 9 has come in 3 - 4 times. He wants to see how it works? Why does the light expose the emulsion? Why does it take heat to cure the ink... I always find myself enjoying the day when he is around.

I also have a local artist that sends a bit of work my way. We have not set a sate/time yet but she wants to come in for a couple of days to learn the process. I think that will help both of us. When she is designing she will understand how best to get the look she wants without killing me or her customer with art that is harder to screen print.

Keep up the good work!
 

[tonypep]

That will help in milestones. It is a teach your children thing. Paisely needs to go to Med School and I will not get in the way. This stuff is juvenile and fun, but sometimes, one needs to put an egg in the middle.

[tonypep]

Teaching is the best. I have had a few come through and just spend a day learning. It is awesome to have someone that actually shows interest in the why of things (no just the how). My kids (ages 11, 12 and two 14) all come to work and work like machines but for them it is a paycheck. They do not love the process. My neighbor's son that is 9 has come in 3 - 4 times. He wants to see how it works? Why does the light expose the emulsion? Why does it take heat to cure the ink... I always find myself enjoying the day when he is around.

I also have a local artist that sends a bit of work my way. We have not set a sate/time yet but she wants to come in for a couple of days to learn the process. I think that will help both of us. When she is designing she will understand how best to get the look she wants without killing me or her customer with art that is harder to screen print.

Keep up the good work!

Speaking of training, that was one of my last tasks in Tusk town before resigning. Four new sales people were required to work in the facility for a week or so. We ran them through all the hoops and they all had to perform the tasks. Everything, and I mean everything. The pass/fail was to take the accountant through a shop tour and explain all the nuances. They all had taken notes and were well prepared. To my knowledge, they all passed. I am proud of Will, Steven, and Dan and all the rest for doing a thorough and outstanding job. Many artists and salespeople don't care about we do but they will do their best without understanding the process. That is a crutch. We are not the redheaded stepchilds,. Meanwhile, as I think about all this and think about Paisely and where this leads, I sometimes have pre-regrets.

[tonypep]

Paisley can not wait, however everything must be right. I have made some plates but they need to dry and I don't want to expose them to harsh chemicals. Then there  she was. From where, I will never know."'My real name is Presley and and we like your kitty" Sometimes it is difficult to stay standing. I knew right away. I knew her Grandmother. It was Marylin.
It is often said that things are easy. They best things are usually not. My recipies are so but my best ones take 48 hours,

[RICK STEFANICK]

TP- You lose me at times. lol

[tonypep]

That is part of the point! Love you brother.
tp

[tonypep]

As they left, Presley told me ever so clearly. "Your house is haunted, but we can print together, that may help. Ask Moogle, she may be of assistance." And so she did, although behind the scenes, I think that she skirted out the unwanted ghosts to make room for she wanted to do.
The girls want play in my absence.
tp