little otsu!

Hello,

I am just finishing up a prints order for little otsu in San Francisco - you know, the adorable little shop at 849 Valencia. I am so happy to have my prints in such a lovely place. The little otsu team produces wonderful paper goods, spectacular planners and even a Simon Evans* bookmark. There is the store and then up north here in Portland, Yvonne and her sweetheart, Jeremy make and distribute their line of cards, books and ephemera.

Seeing as I am not fully equipped with boxes at my house, I made a liner box for the alphabet prints to travel in and it was really fun. I do have to thank my wonderful roommate, industrial designer Kari Merkl, for making cardboard boxes in my proximity. My cardboard vessel is not all that amazing but at least all the letters will be safe and flat on their journey.

notes: *Simon Evans is my favorite. He is a British born artist who works with white out, pens, paint and collage. If you can, peer closely at his map of The World. Luckily, it lives inside of the Vitamin D book which Jean and I bought for Lark Press. Sometimes I get it out and leave it on the counter next to the cash register for a visual vacation. Or, on those days when all the gawkers*** make me feel like a monkey in the zoo operating a press, I can sit down and look at the pictures.

***I should go to sleep rather than proceeding but I have been thinking about the silver miners in Pótosi - in Bolivia. My brother Ryan went to visit the mines a few months ago which involved bringing gifts like rot-gut whiskey, dynamite and coca cola for the miners. In Portland, sometimes people like to come to the press and stare at us while we try to work. (Yes, our lives are worlds easier than the lives of Bolivian silver miners.) Yes, we are operating old presses, but really the door is open because we have a small shop. I don't always feel like explaining, as I want to get my work done. If people want to get up in my area, gawk, stare and ask questions-token gifts such as chocolate or bacon croissants (readily available next door at Pix) would really encourage cooperation from us monkeys.