Photopolymer Gravure Workshop at Josephine Press

Due to popular demand, Josephine Press will be adding another Photopolymer Workshop in November. The September one is full! Here is the link for those who are interested in taking my workshop: http://www.josephinepress.org/photopolymer-gravure

AWWA Conference Presentation

On June 10, 2015 in Anaheim, CA, Karen Fiorito (AKA Buddha Cat Press) presented her poster presentation "Reducing Water Demand, Water Quality Impairment, Greenhouse Emissions and Energy Demand through Dietary Change" at the American Water Works Association Conference in Anaheim. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international non-profit, scientific and educational association founded to improve water quality and supply. Established in 1881, it has a membership (as of 2012) of around 50,000 members worldwide. More on this subject soon! 

Buddha Bunny and Bunnymania

Buddha Bunny

7 Color Serigraph, 2015

Arches 88 Silkscreen

signed and numbered by the artist

Edition of 20

Buddha Bunny made her debut this month at Bunnymania (a fundraiser art exhibition benefitting the National Museum of Animals & Society) at Chung King Studio in Chinatown and now at Wilding Cran Gallery in DTLA! For more information on Bunnymania go to http://bunnymania.org. There she will be up until April 18th and who knows where she will go from there? You can purchase her by clicking the button below for only $100 S/H included! Happy Spring! 

Buddha Chicken

Buddha Chicken

Serigraph with Gold Metallic, 11" x 12"

Edition of 20, 2015

signed and numbered by Karen Fiorito

$75 + $10 S/H

Buddha Chicken is a part of an ongoing series of animals as sacred beings. 

Printing a Photopolymer Gravure

Photopolymer gravure workshop in October at Josephine Press!

Photopolymer Gravure is a relatively easy method of creating intaglio prints from both photographic and hand-drawn imagery. Photopolymer prints can rival copper plate photogravures, but are processed in a fraction of the time and materials, and require a fairly minimal learning curve.

In this workshop, you will learn how to make a photogravure using a photopolymer plate. You will learn how to make a film with an imbedded random dot or halftone screen, print the film, expose and develop the plate, and print a signed and numbered edition of 5 prints.

Schedule:

• Sunday, October 5th, 10-4pm
• Saturday, October 11th, 10-4pm
• Sunday, October 12th, 10-4pm

We must have a minimum of 3 students, and a maximum of 6, for this class.

This workshop is appropriate for beginning to advanced level artists. 6 students maximum, 3 students minimum.

Tuition is $350 per student, and includes all necessary materials. Please email josephinepress@earthlink.net or call (310) 453-1691 to register.

Koala Buddha

Hot off the Press!

Koala Buddha

Photopolymer Gravuré, 2014

8" x 11" on Rives BFK, Edition of 30
$50 + $10 S/H

Rat Diva

Rat Diva

4 Color Process Serigraph, 2014

16" x 26",on rag paper, hand torn deckled edge

Signed and numbered by the artist, Karen Fiorito

Edition of 20

$50 + 10 S/H

Rats are commonly used in medical and scienti c research because of their intelligence and capacity for learning. Controlled studies have found that rats are actively prosocial. They demonstrate altruistic behavior to other rats in experiments, often attempting to rescue other rats who are in pain. This particular rat was named “Happiness” by its human companions. She is a Diva or Goddess , deified after death for her capacity to love.

Ganesha Woodcut

Ganesha print on Japanese Paper

Karen Fiorito
Ganesha, 2012
Woodcut, 18" x 24"
Edition: 20 
$300.00

Artist Statement:

The name Ganesha is a Sanskrit compound, joining the words gaṇa, meaning a group, multitude, or categorical system and isha, meaning lord or master. The universe is a group of atoms and different energies. The Lord of all these groups of atoms and energies is Ganesha. He is the supreme consciousness that pervades all  and brings order to the universe.

Ganesha is represented as having a human body with the head of an elephant. The principle qualities of the elephant are wisdom and effortlessness. The enormous head of the elephant signifies wisdom and knowledge. One of Ganesha's 108 names is  Lord of Obstacles. Elephants don't walk around obstacles, neither do they stop at them. They just remove them and keep walking straight on – signifying effortlessness.

Printing the block

Ganesha's body and the implements Ganesha wields are all symbolic.The portrayal of Lord Ganesha as the blend of human and animals parts symbolizes the ideals of perfection as conceived by the Hindu sages and illustrates some philosophical concepts of profound spiritual significance.

Here is a list of some of the symbolism associated with this image  of Ganesha:

  • Big Head – represents supreme wisdom.
  • Large ears – represents listening more

• Small Eyes – means he concentrates
• Small Mouth – means he talks less.

• Long Trunk – represents his intellect.
• One tusk – Means he keeps the good and throws away the bad.
• Large stomach – means he digests all the good and the bad experiences in life.
• Legs – One folded leg up and one leg resting on the ground indicates that he is thinking of the world but at the same time concentrating on God.
• The Plate of Food – means he is indifferent to wealth, power and prosperity.
• The rat looking up at him – means desire and greed are under control.
• Axe – to cut all attachment.
• Lotus – represents enlightenment.
• Blessings – blesses us and protects us from harm so we can reach God.

Ganesha on Rosapina Paper

When one prays to Lord Ganesha then one is asking to connect to the Universal Soul to remove obstacles. Ganesha is given dominion over the Ganas, which is a general term denoting all classes of beings, ranging from insects, animals and humans to the subtle and celestial beings, everything from natural forces like storms and earthquakes, to the elemental qualities like fire and water. Therefore, instead of propitiating each Gana in order to receive their blessings, one bows to their Lord, Sri Ganesha. By receiving His grace, one receives the grace of all. Ganesha removes any potential obstacles and enables our endeavors to succeed.

Buddha Pig

Buddha Pig

5-color Silkscreen with Pearlescent White, 2012

Edition of 50

Signed and Numbered by Karen Fiorito

$70 + $10 S/H

Buddha Pig is part of an ongoing series of images of animals as deities. I chose a pig because I believe pigs are no different than dogs or cats. In fact, pigs are the fourth smartest animal group in the world, following humans, apes, chimps, whales and dolphins.I believe that all animals have a buddha nature, especially pigs. Pigs are also extremely social and loving creatures. Pigs snuggle close to one another and prefer to sleep nose to nose. They dream, much as humans do. In their natural surroundings, pigs spend hours playing, sunbathing, and exploring. In his book The Whole Hog, biologist and Johannesburg Zoo director Lyall Watson writes, "I know of no other animals [who] are more consistently curious, more willing to explore new experiences, more ready to meet the world with open mouthed enthusiasm. Pigs, I have discovered, are incurable optimists and get a big kick out of just being."