Ryan and Anthony of Mad Maude Press

Interview and photos by Jamie Bezozo and Ruth Schanbacher.


Would you begin by explaining what letterpress is?
Letterpress is the original printing process. It’s as Guttenerg invented it in the 1450s, movable type is inked and then pressed onto paper. There is a difference between what we do and the original method: we don’t use a lot of movable type.

What most influenced you to get involved with letterpress?
R - I was influenced by the equipment; the first time I ever saw a letterpress was actually at the Smithsonian a few years back. But it was all stuff I couldn’t touch and all I wanted to do was mess with it. The first time I got to mess with printing equipment was maybe a year or two later. It brought me back to the Smithsonian experience and then I realized I could probably build a press.

A - I'm an artist/ illustrator. I got down with these guys because I used to rent studio space. It was a way for me to do something hands-on. This was a way to be creative and do something that was art related.



Do you have any interests aside from art?
R - Right now I devote 100% of my time to this. I am developing a new type of ink that works better with letterpress. We have found that ink available commercially is not really good for letterpress because it’s a little too tacky and when you thin it out the pigmentation isn’t as intense. So we are interested in researching to find ways to improve the process.

A - pretty much everything extra is art related… mostly painting, I mess around with 3-d stuff every now and again, I like sculpture a lot and I try to get out, go to the beach and travel… I'm not here as much as Ryan. Ryan is here from the morning to the wee-hours.


What do you want the average viewer to see/ appreciate most in your work?
The craft that goes into the actual print. You can print 1000 things out on a laser print really easily. We look at each individual print before it goes to the customer. We double and triple check to make sure all measurements are square, all dimensions are lined up, the ink is laying perfectly. As a stationer, our quality of work must match the customers' style and customers are very demanding. Every single item that we print is unique.



What is your favorite body part (on yourself)?
R - My favorite body part is actually the coccyx. It’s the human vestigial tail. It lets me consistently be conscious of my evolution. It would be so much easier if I had a tail. It would be like a third hand.

A - I like my nose. I don’t know why, I think it's cool. I like its lump right there. Not everybody has this nose, I like it.



If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
R - In a houseboat but it doesn’t matter where. The freedom of a houseboat, the ability to float with the birds and ducks...and I wouldn’t have to pay Philly city wage tax.

A - I would probably say like the Canadian wilderness somewhere. No humans, wild moose running around, tons of stuff to just look at.

What’s the one place in Philadelphia that you’ve been meaning to go to but haven’t gotten around to seeing yet?
A - if you look on a map of Philly you see this big park. Its this big giant patch of green with a lake: Roosevelt park and Meadow Lake. I wanna check that out. I think you can probably go fishing down there. I haven’t gone fishing since I've lived in the city. We could go fishing from Ryan's houseboat! There's also a science building… the Wagner Free Institute, I've been meaning to go there for the past 3 years.

R - On the Ben Franklin Bridge there are these little huts, it used to be that when you were traveling over the bridge you could stop and there would be coffee shops and stores on the bridge. I'd like to check those out.

Did either of you study art?
A - I got a degree from the University of the Arts in Illustration. I got another degree from Rockland Community College in Graffic Design… that’s in NY. I took various classes here and there.

R - I didn’t study art; I'm an advertising major. That was kind of a driving force to get in letterpress.


What's the largest size you can print?
Its actually 12 inches by 18 inches. The letterpresses aren’t designed for giant printing.


Where do you buy your presses? Who sells them?
There are a lot of people selling presses these days because the industry is picking up. We just cleared out a garage. Part of the deal was I would get all the printing equipment but the place would have to be spotless.

Who maintains your machinery?
The machinery has a tremendous way of not breaking… so we maintain our machinery. I've always been a tinkerer of various things.


For more information: http://www.madmaude.com/

TreMundo: Traci Nelson Q&A

Tell us a little about your website(s).

Tremundo is a reflection of self and a little piece of my world. The site highlights a few of my creative outlets and vanguards I’ve met along the way. I try to continually update the site based upon latest work and new projects that I might be experimenting.
The power of the web is often underestimated and using a website not only helps to promote my own work, also helps to network and learn with other artists! There’s an amazing amount of talented artists in the world, networking has become so vital and also serves as a great tool to learn and inspire any artist.

I also have a book website, wakingtotears.., that promotes my book and as a tool for people to connect with similar situations. My book site is the side of me that uses words as art. A voice for myself as well as many people and opens the eyes to those who just might think they are invincible.

What are you currently reading?
ADORN magazine…great mag referred to by another artist and luckily enough to find in a craft store. Full of new ideas and great tips for various art and craft projects.

Tell us a little about yourself.
How much time do you have…this would take too long…basically I try to live a simple life while bombarded by a complex life. Truly appreciate the little things and keeping it simple all the while living life as a woman, mother, artist, author, activist and all around jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none!

I once read that not utilizing our creative outlets is like having perpetual PMS. I find myself seeing the world with what can I make with that? Did you see the color and form of the clouds? How did those sneakers end up on the phone wire? How did they make that? Can I try to transform that into something that works with what I’m doing? Curious to what surrounds me while utilizing that creative outlet as therapy!

Most important, I have amazing mini-me’s that are the jewels of my life. They are my greatest inspirations, trials and most rewarding part of my life. They are a part of everything I do and keep me busier than I ever imagined!

Describe your recent artwork.
Always working on some sort of project from textiles to recently experimenting with collage and printmaking at home, utilizing the falling leaves, oils and the joy of caran d’ ache crayons! I’ve noticed that I’ve had a trend of having some form of trees in my most recent works. Ever notice how leaves are like snowflakes…no two alike?

In addition to my personal art, currently working on a new community project with anti-violence efforts similar to Peaceful Vizion. New project is a voice for Philly youth and a remembrance of victims, witnesses and survivors of violence. There is more than one generation deeply affected by violence and their voice has been quiet for too long. Our future has been muffled by the violence and seek to be heard and will be through their art.

What type of planning and preparation do you engage in before starting on a new project?
More than anything, there is something that inspires me to do a new piece of work, be it a person, place or thing…something that has evoked an emotion that needs to be put into art. I play around with image and tools until I find what is working with what I am feeling. Must have music on, great lighting and escape into that little place I go to when I create!

What interests do you have other than art?
Have a bad habit of this incredible need to pick up that lonely piece of furniture along the curb, take it home, nourish it, refurnish it and create a new piece from someone’s trash. I’m always amazed at what you can find and how disposable we really are in this society!

Love the outdoors, be it the woods or the sand between my toes. There is something serene about the ocean that seems to put me in my place and remind me how small we really are in this world. Spend time near the ocean all year round, the air is refreshing, always find something to inspire the creative part of me and cleanses the soul.

Favorite short story or poem: to be nobody but yourself e.e. cummings

Favorite lyrics to a song: It's a toss-up between:

“Let me take you on a trip, Around the world and back …” ”World in My Eyes” Depeche Mode
“Then you really might know what it's like...” “What It’s Like” Everlast