A New 3D Printer at Art Systems

Posted on by Thor

Four days after the Pulse Massacre, I found myself at Art Systems (1740 State Road 436, Winter Park, FL 32792) getting some prints. As I waited, I noticed this fellow behind the counter adding finishing touches to a laser printed architectural piece he had made. It looked like a tiny hotel. What was odd was that he spent so much time carving away sections of the print with an Xacto blade. The print was made from thin strips of paper that had been layered one on top of the other. Part of me wonders if there is a practical usage I could have for such technology. I havn’t figured it out yet.

The color printer that was going to run my work broke. I left empty handed and haven’t been back to Art Systems for a print since. Actually, I take that back I did go back one more time but the printer was still broken. Old technology fades away while new technology is pampered and slaved over.

Prints at Art Systems.

Posted on by Thor

When clients order prints of my work I get them made at Art Systems (1740 FL-436, Winter Park, FL 32792). The great thing is that the store is just a 10 minute drive from my Winter Part Chateau. Nadia is an animation major at UCF and is an artist. She likes to flip through my sketchbooks when I have them on hand, which is always. She gives me prints with perfect color matching to the original. Watercolors are tricky because color is created from light shooting through thin layers of pigment and then bouncing off the white page.  When I paint opaque paint on the same sketch it throws of the color that the scanner and computer see. It takes a keen eye to spot and correct the limited senses of a computer.

There has been a change in the print shop. The former reprographics manager left and all the prints were removed from the walls. A new manager, Sarah Jane Rozman  took his place. She is an artist who loves to paint birds. She is a pretty amazing artist. She handled the print I brought in and got the colors spot on. A person running the print shop is much like a barber or bartender. The client waits as the print is being made and conversation lightens the wait. Sarah and I started talking about events following the Pulse shooting, and I found myself in an emotionally charged conversation that I didn’t expect. Sarah listened with compassion and understanding. Hopefully this is happening all or Orlando as the city heals. Three months after the tragic event I am more caught up in trying to understand what happened than ever. I am sketching Pulse employees and survivors from that night and the conflicting stories keep me thinking as I lie awake and try to sleep at night. 

I leave behind some piece of myself  everywhere I go. I forgot my umbrella at Art Systems and Sarah held on to it for the three weeks or so when I returned to make another print. Nadia was there as well and she insisted I see an animated film by Leica Studio called Kubo. I took her advice and it as an amazing film. Go see it! Characters are given time to breath and think. Stop motion, CGI and traditional animation are all used to breath life into an incredible hero’s journey. I went to a late night screening alone and was blown away. ” When we grow stronger the world gets more dangerous.” 

So my trips to the print shop for clients are not just business as usual. I go knowing I might learn something new, become a bit more emotionally grounded, or be inspired. A trip to to the print shop is an adventure.