Printmakingblog

Graphic Chemical & Ink Company is a world leader in the fine art field of printmaking. We manufacture our own time-tested inks for etching, litho and relief printing, as well as sell screen print inks, papers, tools, chemistry, plates and supplies for all of a printmaker's needs

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Location: Villa Park, Illinois, United States

I have worked for Graphic Chemical & Ink Company since 1968 - with a brief hiatus(almost 4 years) to travel the World courtesy of my uncle. Sadly it turns out it was my Uncle Sam, and I wasn't too thrilled about the places that he chose to send me. My wife and I have run Graphic Chemical for many years, and have enjoyed the travel that comes with the position. We get to meet our customers (and the occasional vendor) from all over the World

Monday, April 17, 2006

SGC Part II

Usually I have some great excuse about why I haven't written in quite a while. For the most part the excuses are a little lame (that's a pun, but you'll have to read much further to appreciate it).

This time around, my excuse is fairly obvious...the much vaunted Southern Graphics Conference in Madison, WI finally happened. It was every bit as good a show as we expected - probably better than we expected in a number of respects. The Product Fair, which is my particular interest, was one of the best ever. We had a great location, right on the lake, Lake Mendota. UW Madison is a class act all the way around (except maybe parking, but even that wasn't too bad).


The number of attendees was staggering. The two shown above, Roger Steele (l) of South Carolina, and Zdzislaw Sikora (r) of Michigan are two of the better known, long time SGC members. The rumor was that there were over 1200 pre-registered for the show, and frankly, I have no trouble believing it. The Product Fair was divided up in two rooms, which can be difficult, but not so this time.

As previously stated, we chose SGC to unveil our new Caligo Safe Wash Etching Inks, and the response was better than we expected. We all but sold out of the stock that we'd brought with us, and had to replenish that stock on Saturday morning to keep up with the demand. In what we hope to make an annual event, Graphic Chemical & Ink Company held a drawing on the last morning of the conference. First Prize - a $100 Graphic Gift Certificate was won by April Foster, outgoing SGC President, Second Prize - a set of Graphic Process Etching Inks was won by Francisco Souto of Lincoln, NE, and Third Prize - a set of the Lascaux Tusche Washes was won by John Schultz of Milwaukee, WI.

Finally, because no show is completely without some setbacks, I offer the following story. It is true, and the names have not been changed to protect the clumsy.

Imagine, if you will, an art conference in the heartland of America, attended by thousands of artists, and a handful of dedicated vendors. Unlike many industries, these vendors, while competitors, like each other, and frequently socialize away from the rigors of the exhibit hall. Following the conference a group of them (possibly a gaggle, but maybe just shy of one) met at the Kollege Klub - mere steps from the exhibits, for a bite to eat and a non-alcoholic beverage before departing for points around country.

Further imagine, if possible, the the brains of a major company managed to trip over a poorly marked curb outside of said restaurant, and tumbled with the grace of a gymnast (clearly not a medal winner however) to the street. I need to reinforce the graceful nature of the mishap, because the gymnast in question was none other than my wife Susan!

Poor girl broke her ankle quite nicely. But trooper that she is, she managed to tolerate the 3 hour drive back to Chicago before going to the emergency room. I should offer a special thanks to Dan Welden of Hampton Editions (Solarplates) who was our houseguest at the time. Dan was more than a little helpful, and had to endure several hours in the ER waiting for her to be seen.