EAST Interview: Josh Chalmers and JD Fanning of Bearded Lady

Ah, screen printing - a vexing mistress are you. So difficult, but so handy. Over 100 years old, traditional screen printing requires large and unwieldy accouterments - imagine an exploded Xerox machine with parts sticking out everywhere - but a whole century later, its untidy appearance belies its staying power and demand. The boys behind Bearded Lady, a local screen printing outfit here in Austin, should know. Josh Chalmers and JD Fanning started their studio in 2000, developed a large enough client base to go full-time in 2002, and today, work with everyone from local bands to Robert Rodriguez's Troublemaker Studios. We asked Chalmers to chat with Austinist about Bearded Lady, which is gearing up for participation in the East Austin Studio Tour. Visitors can drop by at 3504 East 4th Street - # 47 on the EAST map - and in addition to gawking at comely band posters and design projects, you can also visit with Bearded Lady's security personnel (i.e. very small, very adorable dogs).

How did you two meet?

JD and I met in 1996 at a party in Austin.

For a first-time visitor, describe what your studio looks like from the inside

We have a bathroom, a darkroom, a production area, poster archives, and a gallery/showroom space. Depending on the day, we also have 2-3 dogs.

How did this studio come to be?

We began screen printing under the name Bearded Lady around 2000. We were mostly making promo materials for our record label and its bands - stuff like t-shirts, posters, stickers, record sleeves, etc. We both began working here full-time in 2002, when we started getting more and more clients asking for our printing services.

You partner with both bands and commercial entities - Stubb's, Milkshake Media, etc. - to create posters, shirts, promotional materials, menus, etc. Tell us about the most exciting project you've worked on recently.

Local designer, Noel Waggoner started a reissue record label called Heavy Light Records. He designed some really fine LP sleeves that we printed last month for the gospel soul band, The Relatives.

How about the most time-consuming, most elaborate piece of work you've ever made?

I'm not sure about that. We have developed a clientele that is quite particular which can make even the most simple printing project into one that is time consuming and complicated.

On several occasions we've worked with the costumes department up at Troublemaker Studios. I've test printed for a week straight to get colors right. They would come pick up the printed fabric to be sewn into a shirt for a test shot, then come back, have me make adjustments and we'd do it all over again. For the same project, JD digitized an argyle pattern lifted from a vintage sweater that we printed onto a t-shirt for a stunt double to wear while riding a horse. Apparently they didn't want to risk the actual sweater getting ruined while the stunt double was riding the horse. I would categorize that one as 'time consuming and complicated' but it turned out great and they're good people to work for.