Last week we brought you an interview with James Tootle of ASPCO (the Artistis Screenprinting Coop), the screen printing co-op based out of the Pump Project Satellite Studio. This week, we spoke to Zach Clark, one of the artists for whom ASPCO makes all the difference. ASPCO is one of over 150 studios participating in East Austin Studio Tour which continues this weekend and next. Clark, a trained painter and photographer, turned to screen printing as a way to create art within time and space limitations. When Clark's wife took a job as a traveling nurse, he had to get inventive when it came down to the actual creation of work. ASPCO offered the advantage of access to high quality screen printing tools without the hefty price tag or constrictions of a studio lease. Clark spoke with us about the life of the traveling artist, his new greeting card company, and what he'll be showing during E.A.S.T. more ›

From "Si Se Puede" to "Anarchy in the UK" screenprinting has long been the medium of choice for message makers across cultures and generations. At its most simple, the process can be completed with the help of mesh fabric, some glue, and an embroidery hoop - but landlords and apartment managers seem to hate it when your bathroom sink is clogged up with ink (trust us!). Also, much better prints result from the use of more advanced equipment, like a darkroom where screens can be developed, an actual printing press, and purpose built washout booths (much better than apartment showers!). This reality encouraged James Tootle to take out an ad on Craigslist looking for like-minded (and similarly studio-less) printers who might be interested in starting a screenprinting cooperative. Fast forward about a year and the Artists Screenprinting Co-op (or ASPCO) is ready to show off their headquarters at East Austin Studio Tour, this weekend and next. Located at Pump Project's Satellite Studio space (1109 Shady Lane), ASPCO will be in good company with other artists such as the Women Printmakers of Austin and the ink-slingers at [th]ink tank. James answered a few questions for us and told us how he and the other ASPCO members when about turning an ink and t-shirt driven dream into a reality. more ›

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). more ›