Spring 2012

This blog has not been updated for nearly half a year, so what has been happening? I am working through an Open College of the Arts Printmaking course and here are some of the prints made during this time. Printmaking by post? Yes it not only is possible thanks to a really switched on tutor and great materials as guides and instructions, but it is really working. I needed feedback and a good kick to get out of an artistic rut, and I believe it to be time and money well spent. Mind you it does take quite a bit of time.

The Cherry tree print was made for an online group Barenforum to help raise funds for the Japanese after the earthquakes and Tsunami in March; called 'Alone' . Next to it is 'Pompeii Memory', followed by Maiden Castle and lastly Avebury Mystery.

Pelicans

Here are the blocks for the Pelicans at Stockton print. (Newcastle NSW Australia) Am trying out various papers and may have to buy as I have little that goes this large. Will keep posting when I have an image that is presentable.

London British Museum

Have just spent three days in London, catching up on art shows and museums. However well we plan, the highlights were accidental discoveries. There is a lesson there somewhere!

Trying to find a small exhibition on tribal people of the Himalayas, we were directed on a detour through the Japan Gallery. This proved to include an exhibition of Japanese prints selected by the artist Julian Opie.

The show has had no publicity that I found, but here are some of my favourites

Julian Opie also contributed one of his own work, which was inspired by the collection. This was a computer generated illuminated panel on which the branches moved up and down as if in a breeze, and there was a sparkle on the water. The still shot below loses the effect.

The other lucky happening was walking past the theatre with Mama Mia playing, and getting a last minute ticket. A full house and what great atmosphere. A real feel-good pick up on a cold winter evening.

Lastly I will let the snowman in the garden say goodbye.

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Winter fun

Although the blog has been quiet, I am still busy in the studio. The Buddha in the tree is an image of a real tree in Thailand, which I first saw some 35 years ago. I have created this print for the Barenforum exchange which had self portrait combined with tree as the topic. I intend that this is a portrait of the inner self demonstrating the ability to root wherever I find myself, making the best of what is available, and the development of the Buddha within.

The second print, called Winter Offering, the Barenform members will recognise as having been heavily inspired by Annie Bissett's wonderful Stars print. It was done to assist the local Museum http://www.dorsetcountymuseum.org/ to raise funds by selling cards. The object is to purchase a stunning hoard of over 400 bronze age axes found at Langton Matravers (in Dorset UK). They were buried brand new at the time and may possibly have been the gift to the gods. I have given them a December sky as it seemed to me to be logical that it might be the winter equinox, that people would plead with the sun to come back.

There has been discussion on the barenforum about protecting hands from seizing up using carving tools, so I am showing the hand protection I use, bought in a sports store and designed I assume, for tennis players. I have also strapped my hangi-to with tennis raquet strapping to make it easier to grasp.

Brewing ideas

The Barenforum group have set the topic for a print exchange to combine Portrait with Tree as a theme. Ideas abound, and I stand contemplating the strangest trees. The emerging theme for me is to create an image of the inner me rather than an external portrait of what someone looks like to the outside world. As always I have a beautiful image in my head, and have done some drawings, and a series of thumbnail sketches for colour separations. THIS is my very favorite part of the process, before the picture in my head has to compare with a rather less than good image on paper! I have stocked up on paper and blocks. I still have not identified a suitable source of cherry yet. I went over to Martock in Somerset, They have American Cherry but a great deal of work would have to go on their planks. I may have a go at their bowl blanks one day for a circular piece. If any of the UK based bareners have a solution I would be grateful.

The family with grandchildren are coming down for half term, so actual work has stopped while I blitz the house and make up beds. But colour choices and image problem solving are still going on in my head.

Final day: last sale

Sunday night and the end of the 2 week Open Studio show. Made one more sale (of Buddha Walking) to a Buddhist friend. Went for a walk by the sea at Weymouth this evening.

The print of Buddha walking is a simple 2 block moku hanga. One for the colour and one for the raised impression.