Power carver

I have a new toy. I wanted to use these large ply boards which have been sitting around the studio for far too long. However, the sheer size was daunting, so Tara! enter the power carver into my life. I love it, and can use it with either hand, which is a bonus.

If any reader can give any hints and tips I would be grateful especially about sharpening. At the moment I am stropping on my leather barber's strop, each time I change the blade, but I don't think it will enough in the long run. I have Japanese water stones, and the Tormek water cooled sharpening system available to use.

Am working on an image of the Pelicans sitting sentinal along the Stockton Breakwall looking over to Newcastle NSW Australia. We visited my brother who lives that way. Will post when more is done.

Wellworths again

I did some more carving and this is the final version, tho' it is still too messy somehow. Will move on I think.

Wellworths

Have been having a lot of difficulty with the latest print. Imagined as a Dorset Beauty in the tradition of the Japanese beauty series, the print has fallen sadly short of my aspirations. Here are the blocks and 2 of many attempts using different paper. One effort used the lino 'background' block in blue and the other not using that block. I ended up adding hand touching to add more to the girls' features and to the range of colours in the sweets.

This has all taken far too long with not very satisfactory results. I have decided to walk away from it for a while, go into another project and maybe come back to it.

Wellworths is a shop which grew out out the ashes of the closed Woolworths in our town. Managed by a brave lass who has worked her way up in the original store from a Saturday girl. A shining beacon of get up and go in these difficult times.

Valencia

Wonderful week catching the last sun of summer in Spain in Valencia. They have grown the city very quickly and created an interesting mix of architecture. Catch up with more news later

Keeping busy

It seems many of us have been too busy to update these blogs, I am sorry it has been so long. I had a great week in Amsterdam especially looking again at how much Vincent Van Gogh learned from Japanese prints. Have just returned from a few days in London, mainly to see the Turner exhibition, and how much he too learned from other artists.

I also caught the Bankside print exhibition and found that both Sue and Andy from BarenForum had great work on display. I hope sales are good, and it was exciting to feel part of the printing family. Louise from Toronto visited for the day, and it was all too short but great to actually meet a Baren member.

I am in the throes of creating a web site (on Louise's advice). Only got to page one but it will grow. http://www.jenniferscabin.co.uk I was proud of myself, until I saw the stunning e-book that Dave had created. That man is a paragon and an example to us all.

I am still carving away at my modern Dorset beauty, but find it hard to keep the separations in my head with so many interupts.

Happy printing everyone

All the best to everyone and happy printing.

Exhibiting

Going through my finished work looking for pictures to display at the local Art Club show, I wondered about this question of personal style. We are told to find one but can we see if it is there, and does it matter?

First print is in Bristol 'The North - Slowly Waking from Deep Sleep' Chinese artist Yu Chengyou. woodblock print using oil based inks 66.7 x 80.1 cm

The second is one of mine going on show locally.

Anyone near Bristol (UK) should see the Royal West of England International Print Exhibition, it is great and no queues, unlike the Banksy show just down the hill!

Pictures in the Park

Sunday was spent with the local Art Club displaying paintings and prints on the railings along the Borough Gardens. There was a Leukemia fund raising event going on, which included a full day's programme of live Swingtime music. A great day out. This was my little stand.

Am trying to drum up interest in using empty shops for short term displays by artists in the town. Useful advice is sought!