Because my work doesn't pigeonhole nicely into any one category, I tend to get a lot of questions.
Here are the ones that crop up the most:
What is Anagram Press?
Anagram Press is the name of my little one-woman business, which transformed from a part-time,
not-so-secret identity to a full-time career in August of 2008, when I quit my day job as a graphic
designer and moved to the Pacific Northwest. The name is an umbrella term that covers all the work
I do: letterpress printing, artist books, professional illustration and graphic design, hand lettering
and fine art. It's also the name of my blog, which features the professional stuff as well as my
pet passions of photography, textiles, travel, writing and food.
Anagram what?! What does that even mean?
In the letterpress and book arts worlds, it's traditional to operate under a moniker in addition
to one's given name—kind of like a brand or a publishing house. This is true regardless of whether
or not a person actually owns letterpress equipment. So the "press" often refers to the work itself,
not necessarily the physical studio or printing press. The name "Anagram Press" comes from the process
of typesetting—the physical act of setting movable metal or wood type by hand. Setting type involves
moving individual letters around, an act that reminds me of the art of the anagram—a type of
play-on-words in which one rearranges the letters of one word to create another.
So where are you hiding the presses?
Actually, I don't have a letterpress studio in the literal sense. The only press I actually own is
a tiny Kelsey 3 x 5" platen press, which was a small tabletop model marketed to home hobby printers
from about the 1930s through the 1980s. I use the Kelsey for print demos (kids love it!) and tiny
projects, but I do the majority of my printing at various local letterpress studios with whom I have an
arrangement. I'm always telling people that investing in letterpress equipment (especially those big
presses) is a lot like getting married—you can certainly get out of it, but not without a lot of pain
and expense. So I'm holding out until we own a home before I invest in a Vandercook of my own and
schlep it around. When that day finally comes, you'll know because I'll be shouting it to the rooftops.
What is letterpress? For that matter, what is printmaking?
Printmaking is an art form that involves creating one or more images from a single original surface,
such as a plate, block or screen. Some common forms of fine-art printmaking are serigraphs (screen
prints), copper etchings, lithographs and wood engravings. Letterpress is a form of relief printing
in which a raised, inked surface is pressed against a sheet of paper to create an image. Traditionally
this surface was made up of hand-set wood or metal type (originally invented in China over a thousand
years ago, though the credit often goes to Johannes Gutenberg, the 15th-century printer of the famous
Bible of the same name), but now letterpress printing also includes images created from photopolymer
plates, a relatively new technology.
So you carve those plates by hand?
Well, that depends on what kind of print I'm making. In the case of my linocuts (such as the Flock
bird prints), I do carve a block by hand. Occasionally I print from hand-set type. And for the
Feminist Broadsides and other letterpress prints, I start with a hand-drawn image but print from
photopolymer plates, a light-sensitive plastic that is processed in a darkroom, rather than carved
by hand. For a detailed description of the photopolymer process, please check out my blog post
here.
What's the difference between a print and a reproduction?
This is somewhat of a touchy subject among artists; a print is an image created by hand from
an original plate or block. Instead of a copy, hand-pulled prints are called multiple originals to
distinguish them from commercially-printed and "giclee" reproductions. Because each print is created
by hand, it is considered an original work of art. Fine-art prints are created in small editions
consisting of a limited number of prints, and are usually signed and individually numbered by
the artist—which makes them valuable works of art. Beware of commercial reproductions marketed
as limited-edition or signed art! They are not the same thing as a fine-art print, and are really
only worth the paper they are printed on. (Oh, I'm going to get it for saying that out loud!)
What is an artist book? What are book arts? Does that mean you illustrate children's books?
This is another subject that is difficult to define. The book arts are a broad category
of art that includes hand-bound books, handmade paper, letterpress prints, and a wide
variety of work, both conceptual and literal, structural and ephemeral. The common thread
among the book arts is that the work usually has some sort of narrative (like a multi-
page book, a broadside containing text or a sculpture that tells a story), and is often
completely handmade, including the printing and the binding or structure itself. Because it
tells a story in real time, and provides an interactive experience for the viewer, the book
is an art form more closely related to filmmaking than to two-dimensional media like drawing
or painting. My own artist books combine both illustrated images and text, letterpress printed
and housed within a three-dimensional form that contributes to and reflects the narrative
within. My artist books don't always look like books in the traditional sense, but they
are always made by hand, and they always tell a story. For some examples, visit my book
Where did you learn to do all this stuff?
I graduated with a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD);
spent a year in Rome making books; started my career in graphic design and print
production (I did old-fashioned paste-up at a commercial printer and converted
blueprints to screen prints at a tractor decal plant before I got my first "real job"
as a full-fledged designer); and put in nearly five solid years learning, collaborating
and teaching at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Oh, and when I was a kid I made
huge, hand-lettered, illustrated signs that I brought to college hockey games to cheer
on my favorite team. That introduced me to typography and a whole lot of Division One
hockey players.
Is your studio open to the public?
My studio is a space inside my home, so I'm not normally open to the public or for
walk-ins. I am, however, open by appointment, so feel free to
contact me. I also
every November—it's basically one big party where people drop by to purchase goodies
and try their hand at making art. I highly recommend it!
How can I purchase your stuff?
Customers can either contact me directly or visit my
Etsy shop. I ship all over the world!
Do you take credit cards?
I'm afraid I'm not set up to take credit cards in person or on my website, but
Etsy takescredit cards (via PayPal)! Otherwise, I accept cash, checks, money orders, or PayPal.
What if I want to purchase something I saw on your website but can't find in your Etsy shop?
For the most part, if it's not in the Etsy shop, it's sold out. But once in a while I
have a framed piece available, or a cancelled order on my hands, so it doesn't hurt to
ask. I can say with certainty, though, that the original "Victory Garden," "Northern
Flicker" and "Cedar Waxwing" prints are totally, completely sold out. Sorry!
I prefer to shop in person. Can I find your stuff in any stores?
thing on my own. But if you'd like to shop in person, feel free to make an appointment
to visit the studio!
Do sell your work wholesale?
Because of the time and labor involved in doing things the old-fashioned way and creating
letterpress prints and other fine-art pieces by hand, I am unable to offer them wholesale
to other retailers. I do, however, offer wholesale for my Flock reproduction greeting
cards and the Feminist postcard reproductions;
contact me for more information.
Can I commission a custom project?
Absolutely! I am available for custom illustration work, calligraphy and hand-lettering,
original fine artwork, and a wide variety of graphic design projects. Drop me a line
and let me know what you have in mind!
How much is that going to set me back?
Since each project is totally unique, I don't have a one-size-fits-all pricing structure.
Fees are completely dependent upon the nature of the work, complexity, size, medium and
style. Projects are priced with a flat fee based on an industry-standard hourly rate,
and each project begins with a cost estimate. To discuss your project ideas and budget,
Great—you're hired! When can you start?
Because I have a steady stream of projects and clients, I generally book one to three
months ahead for new projects. Before beginning a new project, clients must reserve time
on my calendar, since I work on a first come, first serve basis. Sometimes I can
accommodate a last-minute commission, but work that requires a rush schedule may be
subject to additional fees. Please keep this in mind when planning your project.
I'm writing a children's book. Will you illustrate it for me?
Talk about a frequently-asked question! Unfortunately, that's not really how the children's
book industry works. In pretty much every case, the publisher chooses the illustrator if and
when a book manuscript is accepted for publication. Authors almost never have their choice of
illustrators, and illustrators don't get to choose the author. The only exception is when a person
is both author and illustrator of the same book. Sometimes I wish it were up to me, because
I've met lots of authors with manuscripts that I'd love to get my hands on and illustrate.
Will you print my wedding invitations or business cards?
I have limited access to letterpress equipment and a full schedule; as a result I have
taken an indefinite hiatus from custom letterpress printing so I can focus on my own work.
I do, however, offer custom design and illustration for letterpress, and sometimes take on
Who is this Jessica Spring person you talk about all the time?
Jessica is a friend and professional collaborator, and the proprietor of Springtide
Press, one of the most impressive letterpress shops you'll ever see. In addition to each
of us doing our own work, Jessica and I collaborate on the occasional commission and
So do you work for her or does she work for you?
Actually, neither. Anagram Press is just me, and Springtide Press is just her; this
arrangement has proven to be all kinds of confusing for a lot of people (I've been
called her intern, she's been called my employee, my company name has been mistaken
for the title of the Feminist series, and I think some people even think we're related),
but we figured it was easier than coming up with a separate brand name for our
collaborative work. So to give each other credit, our given names and press names are
credited separately on all of our joint work and written materials. Clear as mud, right?
What are the Dead Feminists?
Nicknamed the Dead Feminist Set, the Feminist Broadsides are a series of collaborative,
limited-edition letterpress prints created with Jessica Spring. Each broadside features
a quote by a historical feminist, ties in with current political and social issues,
and is letterpress printed from hand-drawn lettering and illustrations. We began the
series in 2008, and release a new print about every three months.
What's a broadside, anyway?
The great-grandaddy of the poster, the broadside was one of the earliest forms of mass
communication, usually containing important information. Nowadays, the broadside has
become a favorite of the letterpress world, and converted into an art form that combines
both images and text.
Are you still taking subscribers to the Feminist series?
We have now reached our subscription capacity for the series; because each piece is printed
in a limited edition, we need to make sure that enough copies of each piece are available
to the general public. Because of this, we are no longer able to take new subscribers.
How many Dead Feminists are you guys going to print?
We haven't committed to a number—we're being a little cagey about it, since we don't
want to have to keep going after we're ready to end the series, and we don't want to
have to quit before we're ready, either. Sorry to be so vague!
Do you have any "Victory Garden" prints left? When will you be printing more?
Unfortunately, the original "Victory Garden" print is sold out, but we do have postcard
reproductions available. "Vote" and "Drill, Baby, Drill" are also completely sold out,
and "Prop Cake" and "Tugboat Thea" each have one copy available as a professionally-
framed print, priced at $400.
I'm afraid we don't have any plans to reprint our poster editions; once they're gone,
they're gone. There are lots of divided opinions on the issue of reprinting in the
letterpress world (you should hear some of the debates—it's a touchy subject!), but we
tend to fall into the camp of those who don't reprint. One reason for that is that one
could argue that a second edition of a print decreases the value of the first, which
angers a lot of collectors. So the reproduction postcards are our way of compromising
a bit on the issue of reprinting.
Can I suggest a Dead Feminist?
Sure! We're always open to ideas for future prints, although we can't promise we'll take
every suggestion to heart. Two rules, though: whatever potential ideas you send us, the
person has to be a feminist, and they've gotta be dead.
Why does it cost so dang much to ship those Feminist things?
Sorry about that. We're at the mercy of the U.S. Postal Service there, and their rates
go up periodically (they're still cheaper than UPS or FedEx!). But getting the prints
to their owners safely is the important thing: we package our prints with great care and
ship them flat in heavy-duty mailers. Knock on wood, we've only ever had one print
sacrificed to the postage deities.
I just purchased your artwork. Can you give me some framing advice?
It's usually true that you get what you pay for; professional framing is often worth it.
There are other options, though. I personally hate framing artwork myself, but can do it
in a pinch, so I have plenty of tricks, recommendations and horror stories up my sleeve.
Also, lots of customers have shared their framing stories and ideas, so if you'd like
some tips or would like to contribute your own solutions, feel free to
drop me a line.
Can I use images of your work?
Only in very special circumstances. If you would like to feature my work in your
publication or blog, thank you! Please contact me to let me know, and I'll happily send
you images to use for your feature. Otherwise, permission is granted on a case-by-case
basis. All of my work is protected by U.S. copyright laws, so please do not use my images
or writing without permission. Purchasing artwork does not grant reproduction rights.
If you would like to inquire about licensing my artwork, please
contact me.
Where are you located?
I live and work in Tacoma, Washington, about a half-hour south of Seattle and two hours
north of Portland. Here's my mailing address:
Chandler O'Leary
Anagram Press
P.O. Box 7443
Tacoma, WA 98417
I heard Tacoma is skeezy—why would you ever want to live there?
Aw, be nice to T-town—and don't knock it 'til you've tried it! Tacoma is a medium-sized,
blue-collar port city located on the shores of Puget Sound, in the shadow of a mighty
volcano. Like many working port towns, Tacoma has seen both success and hard times,
and possesses both beauty and grit. When the Tailor and I decided to move to the Pacific
Northwest, we chose Tacoma over its larger and more famous sister to the north
(no disrespect, of course), and every day we're reminded that we did the right thing.
We love it here, and we wouldn't trade Tacoma for all the Ben & Jerry's in Vermont.
Who is the Tailor? Are you going to reveal his identity?
The Tailor is my spouse, so named because he makes his own clothing. Out of respect for
his wishes and his privacy, I refer to him online only by his pseudonym (plus, I kept my
name when we married, so the only "Mr. O'Learys" are my dad and brother). But he's a
recurring character here, so expect him to crop up now and again.
Can you share some more of his recipes?
I love to post both the Tailor's and my own recipes on the blog, but some recipes (like
pumpkin pie, for example) are state secrets, so I'm not at liberty to share everything.
You can bet there will be more recipes in the future, though.
What's with the squash in the attic?
The Tailor and I are complete food weirdos, and have made some pretty hardcore lifestyle
choices. For one, we do our best to eat locally, organically, and seasonally. For another,
we have done our best to eliminate all processed foods from our diet. Now, there are some
exceptions to this: we buy oranges, maple syrup, spices, and other things that simply
don't grow around here—and I'm not about to give up ice cream. But from November to April,
we don't buy fresh produce, and instead live off of stored vegetables and fruit from the
root cellar and attic. We buy grass-fed meat from a local organic butcher. And we try to
eat processed food only if we do the processing ourselves—like home canning, etc.
No processed food? Really?
Well, it's an ongoing, imperfect process, but we really try to live a life free of
processed food, artificial ingredients and high fructose corn syrup. So that means no
commercially-canned food, no cereal, not even brown sugar. Of course, we can't always
control these things when we eat in restaurants or get invited over for dinner (or when
I have a moment of weakness and buy a red velvet cupcake or something), but we do the
best we can. This isn't a judgment of anybody else's lifestyle; this is just a personal
choice we made.
What about canned chicken broth or garbanzo beans, huh? Ha! I'm onto you now!
No, really. We don't own a can opener. Which actually would make for some pretty
hilarious irony, if we were ever stranded with only a can of refried beans between us
and starvation. Barring that, though, it's not a bad way to live—except that I hate
having to remember to soak dried beans overnight, so I kind of miss those spontaneous
canned-bean meals...
Where else can I find you online?
There's always the
blog for stories and updates. Or you could sign up for my e-mail list
and features in my blog sidebar. But I'm afraid I'm not on Myspace, or Facebook,
or any of the other social networking sites.
What do you have against Facebook?
Nothing, I swear! It's just another personal choice (like the canned beans thing), born
out of respect for my own limits. There's only so much time in a day, so I made a choice
as to which things get time diverted away from making art and having a personal life.
Or better yet, c'mon over for a cup of tea.
Do you teach classes?
Occasionally, yes. I always list upcoming classes in the
blog sidebar, so check the
"Current Events" section for details.
What kind of camera do you use?
I finally bit the bullet and welcomed digital photography into my life in 2008. So I take
the bulk of my blog and research photos with a Canon EOS 30D. But since my dad taught me
at age eight on an ancient Yashica 35mm, with a broken light meter and no flash, my old
guerilla habits die hard. I'm more likely to use a fence post than a tripod, I tend to
leave Photoshop for my client work, and I dearly miss the days when I had access to a
darkroom. So once in a while I'll dust off my old Nikon FM film camera or even my vintage
Kodak Duaflex that leaks light in such a charming fashion. After all, a flashy camera
isn't going to make me a better photographer!
Are you ever capable of brevity?
Not very often, I fear.
