Bobby Rosenstock - Carver/Printer/Mentor
Located on Front Street in the historic, picturesque town of Marietta, Ohio, is “JustAJar”, an amazing throwback-in-time print shop where unique, creative, hand-carved designs and posters are created. The work is that of talented artist Bobby Rosenstock, the owner/operator. His business has gained well-deserved notoriety because of the exceptional work produced there.
After starting block printing in 2003, Bobby’s specialty has become creating custom posters for musicians. His work is hand-carved in wood and block printed on old letterpress printing equipment. According to Bobby, most of his printing equipment dates back to the early 1900s.
In 2007, he was introduced to a shop in Knoxville, Tenn., where they worked with old letterpresses making posters with blocks..
“I had never heard of that style printing before and was immediately intrigued and into what they were doing,” commented Rosenstock. “They were doing commercial printing and making art, which is what I was interested in.”
Bobby reached out to them and asked if he could apprentice with them in their shop. He ended up spending a few months down there.
Bobby and his wife Sara later moved to Marietta, Ohio, where he found a small printing press, set it up in his garage and started making things for fun. What started out as a little side hobby soon turned into a job.
Just to mention a few prominent names Bobby has created posters for include Jack Daniels Whiskey, country music icon Willie Nelson, folk/country singer-songwriter John Prine, bluegrass musician Billy Strings and Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead.
It’s refreshing to see Bobby’s awesome folksy-style work being hand-produced in his graphic design and letterpress studio on old printing presses with custom wood blocks and handset type. It truly is just amazing!
“I like being able to work for myself and being creative,” commented Bobby when asked about what he likes best about his job. “I also like to work with older equipment.”
In a world that’s presently being overtaken by AI, computers and technology, he said it’s nice to be able to slow down and get into a craft like woodcarving.
Many clients seek out JustAJar because his work is a quiet rebellion against modern technology.
There are many steps in creating a custom poster, including conceptualization, planning, carving and finally printing.
“I’ve learned to appreciate all aspects of the process,” said Bobby.
In the creative stage, he conceptualizes, draws and comes up with ideas. He explained that the carving part is physical; he’s sitting and ultra focused. When he’s printing, it’s a full-body thing, standing and moving.
When asked about how he gets inspiration, Bobby said he draws, reads and walks, which helps him come up with ideas that are interesting.
As if creating great artwork isn’t enough, Bobby also takes time to mentor others and encourages them to learn his craft, and he is gracious about helping them.
He believes that passing along traditional skills and knowledge about carving and block printing is very important, so they don’t become a lost art.
Bobby’s daughter, Elle, 13, is often in the shop with him and tried carving for the first time when she was 7. This past summer, she spent a lot of time at the shop making five or six different carvings.
“I love having Elle in the shop and carving and learning these skills. She’s very artistic,” shared Bobby. “It’s been fun teaching her how to carve and use the printing presses. She’s been showing special skills in the shop.”
Elle said she enjoys carving, saying it is very calming for her.
He said that Elle’s been creating items like T-shirts that she sells in the JustAJar shop. She also works with her mother doing sewing projects. Elle is constantly doing something and enjoys projects and making things. She is very open to trying new crafts and new ways of working.
“There’s probably not that many 13-year-old girls out there who are learning woodcarving,” said Bobby. “I think it’s very cool!”
Bobby explained that Elle and his other daughter, Bayla, both have their own t-shirt designs that they’ve made in the shop. They carve the blocks and print them themselves to make a little money. The siblings join their parents at craft fairs and set up their own table to sell their creations.
Bobby has a number of school groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops come through. He uses those visits to teach them about what he does and to stress the importance of making things by hand. Spending time creating something, in his craft or in any other, helps kids slow down and discover interests that may stay with them.
He also has college students who come into the shop and spend time learning. He has some local students, along with others who travel from Athens, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Penn. and parts of West Virginia.
Keshaun Madlock, a recent Marietta College graduate in Graphic Design from South Euclid, Ohio is a JustAJar Intern/Employee. Bobby said Keshaun just finished his first print and said he thought Keshun loved the process.
Indeed, he did. You could tell by the smile on his face.
Keshaun’s first block print was from a block print carving of a camera inspired by an old Nikon that he bought. He said he felt more fluent after a few passes on the press.
“Take your time,” was Keshaun’s advice. “Give yourself some grace.”
Keshaun said he was appreciative of Bobby and his wife, a Marietta College Graphic Design instructor and credited them with playing an important role in his education.
As for advice for beginner woodworkers, Bobby encourages them to jump right in and enjoy the process.
“The world can be overwhelming at times,” commented Bobby. “It’s good to slow down the pace. Woodworking can be a creative, therapeutic and stress-relieving activity. Everyone needs to find their release. It could be woodworking, cooking or exercising. They are all good things for your mental health.”
He also stressed safety, saying it’s simple. “You can never cut yourself with your tool if your hands are behind where you are carving,” said Bobby. “It’s impossible, you can’t do it. The thing is, you zone out and maybe you need a break. When you’re tired or you become overconfident, you need to be aware.”
I hope reading about Bobby Rosenstock inspires you to get involved in woodworking. To learn more about Bobby’s work, visit justajar.com.
Doug Loyer