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.

One for the 'oilies'

Among my other travels I joined a two day relief printmaking course with Peter Ursem. He was using lino, oil based ink and a nipping press. Sadly I was badly lacking sleep, being somewhat jet lagged, but as always I learnt as much from watching him work as well as his helpful guidance. To find out more of his work see http://www.counterparts.org.uk/ He told a story which involved looking inside the Wizard's hat if you dared! Thus my image of said wizard.

Islamic Spain

Have been travelling around Andalucia: Jaen, Cordoba, Seville, Granada. Wonderful trip and weather. Thought you might like to share a few images.

Will get back to the studio soon I hope.

vinyl experiments with owl

I learn everyday and hope one day to do some more acceptable work. This experiment was using vinyl floor covering. I begged an offcut from a neighbour who had done his kitchen floor. It cuts so easily it is a joy. Obviously it will not do very fine lines, but after a light sanding took pencil and carbon paper marks very clearly. I also used it to make an embossing plate. The latter is the last plate in the sequence. It is reversed as I printed it from underneath with the paper still damp.

I used the usual dry pigments with water. The paper was very absorbant and I brushed gum arabic on the embossing plate to ensure that the embossing held its' shape. I am not too sure about the latter as it seems perhaps a bit too strong, but time will tell if it settles down. Maybe I will dilute the gum arabic another time, it really all depends on the paper.... another whole topic about which I am still very much a beginner.

Yesterday spent the day in London. The Cezannes in the Courtauld (Somerset House) are well worth seeing, as also their print exhibition of French 19Century artists French prints from Manet to Picasso. A simply amazing double bill, plus the usual wonderful collection of French Impressionists. As a viewing experience it beats The Hermitage. I recommend it to any visitors in London this summer. www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual_arts

The next stop was the Royal Academy http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/ the summer exhibition had some very interesting prints of all kinds, but found no moku hanga, There too is an exhibition of Vilhelm Hammershoi:Poetry of Silence. Stunning work. I emerged feeling I had just been through a long Scandinavian winter where a gleam of light gains huge significance, and a sunbeam carries pure joy.

Happy printing

Back to the studio

At last have got back to studio work. After the Open Studio two weeks, we went on a cruise with Voyages of Discovery to the various Baltic stops. It is an educational trip with lectures as well as visits, and I can recommend the trip. We were lucky with weather etc. Saw some really good art, and overloaded on gold rococco.

Have also ben to Hastings http://www.hmag.org.uk/ to see the Japanese Print exhibition. We had to stay over in the area longer than planned as they went on strike for 2 days (along with the rest of UK local government). It made us look at Rye and other interesting places in the area. They have run out of the catalogue, but reprinting is promised. Worth a visit if anywhere in the area and goes on until 5 October.

Thought I would have a go at Microprints to see how I went, with the view of entering some in a UK Microprint exhibition if any turn out well. This is the first which I tried using lino with watercolours and paste. It is the London Eye at night with fireworks taken from across the river on the Embankment, with the Victorian street light. Not sure how successful it is, but at least I am back working again. I freehanded the colours, and should probably carved the locations more accurately as the street light in some is white and some is yellow! The image is 8cms square.

Next week am in Cornwall being Granny for a week, but am still very much reading the forum posts and following your blogs. As always I have more pictures in my head than I get down into reality.

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.