These days, travel is all about packing light. If you can’t fit it into a carry-on bag, then chances are you don’t really need it, right?
Not so if you’re Kyle Durrie, proprietor of Power and Light Press and driver of a refurbished 1982 Chevy step van, dubbed the Type Truck. Since June of this year, when Kyle set off from her Portland, Oregon home, she’s traversed the country, visiting cities and towns large and small, sharing her love of letterpress printing.
The idea to take her art on the road emerged during the summer of 2010, when she toured with her boyfriend and his band.
“I had a lot of time to look out the window and think about my life and the places we were visiting,” she says. “I was really admiring the way that musicians throw all their gear into a car and hit the road and share their music and I started thinking about why other artists don’t do this. Even though a letterpress is heavy and clunky, it’s not that much different from a drum set or upright bass. I thought maybe this wasn’t such a crazy idea, and by the time we were home I had sketched plans for what I wanted to do. It seemed possible.”
Kyle Durrie
The Type Truck.
What she wanted to do was outfit a vehicle with the tools of the letterpress-printing trade and share them with experienced printers and novices alike. She dubbed the project Moveable Type, and her van renovation included built-in cabinets and countertops, a sign press from the mid-20th century, and an 1873 Golding Official No. 3 tabletop platen press. Deciding where to go was a task she accomplished with an atlas and a calendar — putting pins in locations with well-known printing programs and shops, then adding places where she had friends, and finally including sites she was interested in seeing. The contacts she made through Kickstarter, where she raised funds for the journey, rounded out her itinerary. “People would say, ‘I only have $5 to contribute, but I hope you can come to our community center in Pennsylvania,’ or wherever,” Kyle says. “The network of people I met through Kickstarter helped me connect the dots and pull my route together.”
In each town on her list, Kyle often finds a line of wannabe printers waiting for her. Local print shops, art museums, and college book arts programs help spread the word about her arrival. When she knows a site will be busy, Kyle creates a design — typically a play-on-words related to the location — and sets the type beforehand, then shows participants how to operate the press. If a group is smaller, she encourages people to design and set type themselves. “We’re making souvenirs, but in a way I feel good about,” she says.
Kyle Durrie
Kyle Durrie
Excited print patrons.
The people who step inside the Type Truck range from artists, printmakers, and designers who have an understanding of language, design, and typography, to people who know nothing about letterpress printing. Kyle, who has no previous teaching experience, has especially enjoyed working with teenagers. “This generation has been raised with virtual reality and a bit of an alienation that’s a part of our culture,” she says. “To see that moment when they realize ‘I have this physical thing I made! That was so easy!’ is very exciting.”
Although Kyle says she didn’t have a lot of preconceived notions about the trip, she admits to being surprised at the creativity and inspired crowds, no matter where she goes. One place that defied stereotypes was Reno, Nevada, which she said always made her think of casinos, liquor stores, and pawn shops. What she found were artists, musicians, and people with interests that had nothing to do with the Reno stereotype. “I’ve had a lot of experiences like that because of what I’m doing,” she says. “I wouldn’t see this side of things if I was just passing through. There is a lot of creativity and hope in all these places I’ve visited and people are really proud of their towns. Even when a location appears run-down, there are people working hard to make it a good, habitable place.”
Kyle Durrie
Folks lined up and eager to print.
Kyle’s schedule varies, and sometimes she’s traveling and printing nearly every day. She spends about half her nights in campgrounds and on roadsides, sleeping in a cozy bunk area of the van, using her cooler and camp stove for food prep. Other nights she stays with friends. While her boyfriend and other friends have traveled with her on parts of her journey, she’s driven 9500 of the 11,000 miles herself. “Having someone to share the driving with is so helpful, because I can multi-task, answer emails, and prepare blog posts,” she says. “But when I’m alone it’s okay too, because I’m used to working alone. Printing with lots of people is a 180 degree change from what I’m accustomed to. The quiet allows me to regroup.”
Kyle Durrie
A view from the road.
Plans for the rest of trip are open ended. Kyle says she’s scheduling stops close to home for spring 2012, which may be a logical time to end the Type Truck tour. Much depends on how long her vehicle holds out. “The truck has a lot of miles on it, so we’ll see if it lasts ’til April,” she says.
Kyle admits that she first saw the trip as simply an opportunity to combine wanderlust and an activity she loved. But as she’s watched the odometer spin, specific goals have emerged. “One is selfish,” she says. “It’s me wanting to be inspired and to tap into a different way of thinking and working. It’s also about connecting with people and sharing printing, which is something that makes me happy. Giving people a chance to work with their hands and be empowered by what they can do is a huge part of why this is relevant and why I want to do it.”
Kyle Durrie
To see Kyle’s schedule, arrange Type Truck visits, and read her blog, check out Moveable Type.
A lifelong sewer/knitter and former weaver/spinner, Linzee Kull McCray, a.k.a. lkmccray, is a writer and editor living in Iowa. She feels fortunate to meet and write about people, from scientists to stitchers, who are passionate about their work. Her freelance writing appears in Quilts and More, Stitch, Fiberarts, American Patchwork and Quilting and more. For more textile musings, visit her blog.
122 comments
Sign in to add your ownMegansMenagerie says:
Great post!!!!
212 days ago
studiokgraphicdesign says:
YES!! Long live print! I love this idea - thank you for sharing!
212 days ago
ashleyjanex0x0 says:
this is so fun! seeing print like this makes me think of an old travelling circus. whimsical indeed :)
212 days ago
brittanylaurendesign says:
I absolutely wish that was near me! I'd love to be apart of that! Its nice to see how others enjoy letterpressing too, even the kiddies in such a technology based world today.
212 days ago
myvintagecrush says:
So fun! Thanks for sharing this, what a unique project ..and fun new blog!
212 days ago
katrinaalana says:
I saw this project at Kickstarter. Awesome idea! It's great that you were able to travel and teach at the same time.
212 days ago
bayousalvage says:
please bring press to new orleans!
212 days ago
blueskyclouds says:
This is the coolest idea....!!!
212 days ago
StudioCherie says:
Love this article Thanks for sharing
212 days ago
Iammie says:
Interesting article!
212 days ago
smithrj18 says:
Brilliant! So Inspiring!
212 days ago
everythingok says:
This is quite probably the coolest thing ever.
212 days ago
DessertWine says:
Living the dream...I so love this!
212 days ago
HelloShoes says:
This is awesome I have never seen something like this before:). I love it...
212 days ago
GalleryJuana says:
Thanks for sharing the kickstarter experience. Brilliant way to embrace life and art.
212 days ago
LifeWithSarah says:
I how I LOVE Origonians! I was born and raised in Portland and I'm constantly amazed by what's going on there! Well done, what a brilliant idea!! ~Sarah http://lifewithsarahb.blogspot.com/
212 days ago
GracefullyGirly says:
I love the attitude and the sharing of something like printing with the country! What a fun and fabulous idea!!!
212 days ago
SimonEtCie says:
Wow. Very cool idea!
212 days ago
Hawkeyeagates says:
Fantastic! I learned to set type on a platen at art school in Colorado, it's a blast! Good luck on the rest of the tour, you're showing others how to enjoy life.
212 days ago
oldsnapshot says:
You go girl! If I saw that van parked in my town I would be leaping for joy. How creative and fun is that?
212 days ago
NiteFire says:
Awesome article. What a fun way to share art.
212 days ago
amusebeads says:
What a great way to share what may be a dying art form. This would be a trip of a lifetime- a story to share with the grandkids.
212 days ago
VelveteenHabbit says:
These are now a few of my favorite things......l love typography-especially retro gothic victorian and circus Congratulations on taking a really cool adventure and sharing your vision with so many creative people!!!
212 days ago
PoetCharms says:
Congrats on the front page of Etsy Kyle! Wishing you continued sucess in your travels. Lisa
212 days ago
nicilaskin says:
that is an awesome and inspiring story, thank you for sharing this with us, it makes me want to get in the car and drive around and see the land and the people. Bravo
212 days ago
bedouin says:
So imaginative ~ best in a lifetime of success!
212 days ago
dearshar says:
Love this project so much!! I'm moved!!!
212 days ago
TikaCeramics says:
Love this article! Thank you!!
212 days ago
imtallru2 says:
Totally cool...what she's doing is so admirable!
212 days ago
TikaCeramics says:
:)
212 days ago
marcgounard says:
I just love that story!!! On the road with your art, independent and making money.... I have done it with my sailboat that I have built, I took off around the world with my familly and made money as I went selling my one of a kind jewelry from port to port. I was actually mostly making custom orders, most islands in the south pacific do not have a jeweler, so when the word was out I will do custom designs. My best stop was a small island called Majuro, north of Fiji, I worked nearly everyday for 2 1/2 month and made lots of money... But why not in a van!!! thanks for the inspiration.
212 days ago
erindollar says:
Heck yes! So happy to see Kyle's project featured here. Her dedication to the art of letterpress, and her work teaching others about the process is commendable. I was happy to be one of her backers on Kickstarter, and I have been so pleased to read her accounts of her journey as she shares her type truck with the world. Go Kyle! Go forth and spread the printmaking gospel :)
212 days ago
redemptionart says:
I love this! Way to go! Best blessings on your venue!
212 days ago
1wood says:
I saw Kyle and her awesome van in Seattle. Happy to see her featured here. Happy travels Kyle!
212 days ago
jodyvanB says:
Wicked-cool. Hope the van holds up and you find it in your heart to come up to Canada! We'd love to have you! Cheers, Jody
212 days ago
knitfitt says:
So happy to see she will be in Richmond soon.
212 days ago
volkerwandering says:
What a beautiful story. I love traveling across the country!
212 days ago
TwoButtons4ever says:
Great idea, very inspiring & wonderful way to see the country. Best of luck on your travels!
212 days ago
PlatemarkX says:
Yeah! I'm so glad Kyle and her truck is getting such great press. What she's doing is amazing and her work is awesome too! I was lucky to be a part of the kick-off party for her from Portland OR. If you haven't seen the truck and what she's doing - try and get out there to see her before the tour is over! Go Kyle! We miss you in Portland!
212 days ago
picklehead says:
That is so cool! :D
212 days ago
Xenotees says:
Awesome story!
212 days ago
wrandom says:
this is such a cool idea. i love it.
212 days ago
observation says:
Great project Kyle, and a wonderful idea! You gave a great experience to others and you got a great experience in return. Perfect!
212 days ago
BarkingSandsVintage says:
You are awesome. I love me some letterpress.
212 days ago
RossLab says:
What a wonderful idea! If just I knew about this before they came to San Francisco :( COME BACK!!!
212 days ago
KisforCalligraphy says:
Does in the type truck need an in house calligrapher? Yes, come back to the Bay Area! Moraga to be mire specific. You could stop at Saint Mary's College!
212 days ago
sewlola says:
I am super excited to know they will be in my city next year!
212 days ago
inkadinkadoodle says:
So very cool for you to be doing this and spread the love of letterpess - Thank You!
212 days ago
SquidWhaleDesigns says:
ha! I'll be seeing this truck in Philly Oct. 29th with some friends. Woo! It looks dope.
212 days ago
tkrdesigns says:
I had the pleasure of meeting Kyle last month when she stopped in Rangeley, Maine on her way to Nova Scotia.
212 days ago
TheMechanicalKoi says:
cool.
212 days ago
ChenaysBaubles says:
I'm bummed I missed the truck in Reno! I loved the comments made about our city, it really is full of incredibly talented and creative people, something I wish more people knew about us. Congrats on the super awesome idea!
212 days ago
purposedesign says:
very cool!
212 days ago
Dramatrauma says:
DANG IT! With all the Kickstarter projects Ive backed how could I have missed one of the COOLEST? And missed the van's visit to my neck of the woods! Maybe the van and the wanderlust will last into 2012?
212 days ago
suegrayjewelry says:
I went down to see the van exhibit while it was in newport last weekend and discovered I had mis-read the hours... so sad to have missed it!
212 days ago
TwinDreamCreations says:
Come to Detroit!
212 days ago
Verdurebydesign says:
This is a very inspiring story. Using your talent and knowledge to inspire others is a powerful thing. Congratulations on working outside the box.
212 days ago
Velvetmanna says:
The only thing I think of when reading this article about your "shop" is...........I'd love to put my velvet on that press to emboss it!!!!!! How awesome would that be??? It's a wonderful thing that you're doing, Kyle..........turning people on to this printing press AND traveling :)
212 days ago
TwinDreamCreations says:
Awwww, you were already here :( Missed it!
212 days ago
retroattack says:
What a cool project!!!
212 days ago
marvelousdaydreams says:
Absolutely envy Kyle and love her blog!
212 days ago
bestfrienddee says:
Met Kyle in Chicago! She is amazing! <3
212 days ago
FreshFromtheFlame says:
Wow I respect what she is doing so much. Very inspiring.
212 days ago
szaboman says:
I was a letterpress sign printer for 3 stores for the greater part of my 20's. No matter what other jobs I've had, or my current career in an office, I always fondly remember the kind of soul-satisfaction letterpress sign printing gave me. It is magical. That is the singular word for it. The inked pressed into paper, the indentation and the backward type make it such a cool process start to finish. Good on ya Kyle. A magic vision brought to life.
212 days ago
CSB11 says:
Wonderful!
212 days ago
Indounik says:
As something of a global nomad, paper addict and fan of typefaces and fonts, I love, love, love this story. More power to you and your van, Kylie. And hey, ya know there's a whole wild world out there beyond the borders of the USA. I've spent a lot of time in South-East Asia and done some papercrafting workshops with impoverished kids there. They'd adore this. I don't know whether you want your old life back but how grand it would to just keep going, though you'd need a benevolent van company to get behind you with a new from the get-go vehicle. And I can'f finish up without remarking on yet another Portland star shooting across the horizon. Must be something in the water in Portland to generate such a concentration of amazing imagination, inspiration, creativity and pure talent. Thanks for bringing us this story, Linzee.
212 days ago
thoughtfullyadorned says:
I love your story!!! So inspirational! IF you ever come to West Texas I so want to come! I just bought a Kelsey 5X8 tabletop and I am so overwhelmed with everything I need to know!
212 days ago
JulienDenoyer says:
This is so cool, what an awesome story...this is the sort of inspirational story I love reading, many thanks!!!
212 days ago
SaffronGlow says:
Fabulous!
212 days ago
Intentions says:
What a great story! Living life to a dream!
212 days ago
TheJoyofColor says:
I envy you kyle for this adventure and courage to do it great story
212 days ago
elisemahan says:
this is truly inspired
212 days ago
riskybeads says:
Best. Post. Ever. What an inspiring idea!
212 days ago
UrbanBirdandCo says:
We met up with Kyle when she came through Denver in August and printed some awesome Denver posters. Pretty sure I have a OOAK print because she wasn't quite finished setting it up and we had to leave so we printed the first Denver poster and it wasn't complete, but it is AWESOME. And pretty sure Kyle is one of the sweetest people ever. Seriously.
212 days ago
Porcuprints says:
I've been following her blog since she set off! Such a wonderful way to bring letterpress to everyone. Love it. Thanks so much for writing about it and spreading the word!
212 days ago
hattieshouse says:
Just another example of an artist following her dreams, and changing people's with their natural born gift! Thank you for sharing and a big "HELL YEAH!" goes out to Kyle from this fellow Oregon gal!
212 days ago
Davs says:
Love it!
212 days ago
noahhadfaith says:
My Daddy was a typesetter for the newspaper during the 60's & 70's until his job was taken over by computers. I grew up sitting on a bar stool watching him put the newspaper together one letter at a time. Today I have a printers tray hanging on my wall with miniature treasures in each of the tiny compartments of the tray. I also put together some of the type in a shadow box & it too hangs on the wall. Memories from the past. I'd love to see your Moveable Type if for no other reason than to see one person doing that job again that is now obsolete. I loved your story. Please put San Antonio, TX on your list. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
212 days ago
HeyChica says:
What a great project, good luck on your future travels!
212 days ago
robertcoffin says:
Sounds like a lot of fun.
211 days ago
NutfieldWeaver says:
How fun! I'm going to see if the truck will make its way to New England anytime soon...
211 days ago
hubinshow says:
Wonderful!
211 days ago
overthemeadow says:
Totally Awesome! What a great idea and the courage to take it on the road is fabulous! If you can come up with an idea like this, you can do anything! I wish I could be one of your roadies...lol :-)
211 days ago
RozemarijnOudejans says:
That's SO cool! I love what you do!
211 days ago
GoodSenseVintage says:
Thanks for having an AWESOME idea and the determination to make something happen, Kyle!
211 days ago
LAGlass says:
Nice story, makes me want to take a road trip. Are we there yet?
211 days ago
thewirelesspress says:
Such a lovely inspirational and simple project. Always the best.
211 days ago
LilBeeDesigns says:
This is a great story. I love it when people connect with art in different ways. Printmaking is generaly a solitary artform that doesn't travel well.
211 days ago
helloDODOshop says:
Love this story, what a fantastic idea!
211 days ago
NalandaJewelry says:
What a great idea!!
211 days ago
vbarton24 says:
how wonderful this is. I wish I could just take off like this and do something this cool. If you are ever near Bakersfield Ca you should come here.
211 days ago
RivalryTime says:
Wonderful.
211 days ago
modernrubbishsf says:
What an awe-inspiring idea!
211 days ago
hideandmoore says:
this is a fantastic article/idea! your story is amazing!
211 days ago
TwoLittleEggs says:
Good luck on your journey, and I'm glad I had the chance to meet you here at Bowdoin.
211 days ago
klop56 says:
sad you are not coming to San Antonio or Austin Texas area - I don't see anything south of Lubbock - which is 10 hours away.
211 days ago
EgoVertoPaper says:
Awesome story! an inspiration to us all! love your drive to follow your passions! keep it up!
211 days ago
powerandlight says:
Thanks, everybody! I have six more months of travels ahead of me, so chances are I'm coming to your town at some point. I'll be updating the tour schedule as plans are finalized. Thanks for all the support - this has been a truly inspiring adventure.
211 days ago
AnnTig says:
Interesting article!
211 days ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
I love the idea of this taking art on the road just like music! I wonder what it would be like to take pottery on the road living the nomad life.
211 days ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
Very Very Cool.
211 days ago
FreakyPeas says:
truely inspired
210 days ago
interrobang918 says:
save travels, and thanks for stopping out in JP!
210 days ago
lourdeskane1 says:
Beautiful and sooooo inspired...
210 days ago
bodicegoddess says:
Is it wrong that the #1 thing I'm wondering is "What do they play on the radio when they pull up to a location: The B-52's "Love Shack" or "Ride of the Valkyries"?" Because either seems appropriate.
210 days ago
wmalexalvarez says:
haha I love that bat letterpress
210 days ago
AdornmentsNYC says:
wow - very cool. Thanks for sharing the story...
210 days ago
stylishistyle says:
Long live type!! Great story....would love to see her in NY or NJ.
210 days ago
gemstonesinapaperbag says:
Wonderful photos. Beautiful pink sky.
209 days ago
blainedesign says:
I love the part about how she encountered artists everywhere, even in remote corners or places that seem less than prosperous. It's very inspiring to think that we have a connection through the arts, anywhere we might go.
209 days ago
missduffy says:
This is one of the most amazing things I have discovered in a long time. Visionary. Amazingly inspiring! I like what blainedesign said, "even going into the remote corners or places that seem less than prosperous".- finding artists everywhere. We learn and grow by doing. Kasse D. Rural Women Rock
209 days ago
sheoshi says:
Love your story. It was a very inspiring one. tt team
209 days ago
muddyum says:
This is so inspiring!
209 days ago
BrightonCrock says:
What an amazing idea. And the designs really are effective.
209 days ago
Romanceglass says:
Very inspirational!
209 days ago
pouch says:
what an amazing idea, I worked as a freelance typesetter for 8 years so I love typefaces and print...
208 days ago
pouch says:
and Burt Reynolds Thank You cards? genius - love it!
208 days ago
ButtermilkPaper says:
This is SO awesome!
208 days ago
ckeidckeid says:
Great writing... I will bookmark this link, great writers always fight to keep their standard high. This is So inspiring...
208 days ago
earthbasedliving says:
love it
208 days ago
GraphwicksOnEtsy says:
This is so cool. I love this idea. I appreciate those who make typography art, posters, etc. Love it!
207 days ago
leslieholz says:
What a great idea!! I wanna go with you! Safe travels and hope your van holds out!
176 days ago