Pressing-Issues

Gallery Show

2012-01-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

I have 3 paleo pieces in the latest gallery show at the Valencia Town Center Mall. This is our second gallery show in this wonderful venue. Santa Clarita Artists Association's very own gallery. 8-]

There is a reception tonight with refreshments until 7pm. Come by if you're in the area.

The Poop on Pigeons

2011-12-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

On to the next project. No rest for the over-extended.

I've been mulling over my block for the City of the World Puzzle Block Project: http://www.1000woodcuts.com/projects/cityoftheworld/index.html, Maria Arango's latest massively collective project (talk about over-extended!). ;- j

Check out this blog and see all the amazing blocks that have come in already: http://puzzleprints.blogspot.com/

I thought I might do something with my animals, or my back yard, but nothing suitably city-y occured to me (the fact that I live in a suburb might have something to do with it).

So recently I've been thinking about pigeons. They're ubiquitous in a city -- even a suburb. (On good days we call them doves; when they're fat and waddly from eating other birds' feed we call them pigeons.)

I've got a couple ideas I'm cogitating on, and soon I'll be carving on. The deadline approaches and tempus threatens to frangle.

Xmas Card 2011

2011-12-13T23:21:00.000-08:00

Cards ordered thru Vista Print. *whew*

What a project. One complication after another, but it's done now.

I'm calling it Denizens until something better occurs to me. I can't give in to my other title: Not Even a Mouse. That'd be the 3rd xmas print titled that. ;-> I really am a creature of habit.

Xmas Card - Second Block

2011-12-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Second block printed (all at once, as the rainy weather kept the ink from drying out). 8-]

I think the project was an overall success (altho at this point all I see are the glaring errors). ;- j

Now I wait for them to dry and then scan them into the computer and start making the xmas cards with Vista Print. I am so behind on this project. I think the xmas cards are going to be new year's cards this year. ;- y

Xmas Card - First Block

2011-12-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

First block printed. 8-] Waiting for it to dry now so I can print the second block.

Carving Around Ornaments

2011-12-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

Carved around the ornaments. They'll be less fiddly to ink now.

Because we're so dry right now (Santa Ana dry) I'm having trouble with ink drying out, especially when I ink up both the window and all the ornaments. So I'm thinking of printing them separately.

That'll be three printings with two blocks. What a complicated process this xmas card is turning into.

Test Print - Window Block

2011-12-07T13:45:00.000-08:00

Test print of the window block went about as expected. The window area prints fine, but the ornaments are giving me troubles yet. For one thing I need to carve out the areas around the ornaments more so I don't get ink on the tree.

At least the two blocks line up -- I tested the window print and the tree print up against the patio door and they matched up. *whew*

The window was coming alive nicely, but the ornaments are still resisting ink. But rather than fight with the difficult little things I've decided to carve some more first. Next time will be better.

It does look kinda kewl overlaid with the green tree print.

Another thing I noticed tho was how paranoid I am about the two "blocks" being two sides of the same block. I'm just sure I'm going to mess one up somehow. I don't think I like being so frugal -- next time I'll use two separate blocks.

Block Two

2011-12-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

Still on block two. Ornaments isolated. Now working on the window and the mice.

Then I can make a test print for placement. Still have to carve ornament holes in the first block.

This part's going a lot faster.

I'm finding my erganomically designed carving tools are best for this part. I'd forgotten how comfortable they are in the hand since I've been using the finer Japanese tools. It's a trade-off; ease of use vs. smaller mm.

Ok, ready to do some test printing. Tomorrow. 8 hours is plenty of time for one day.

2-Block Xmas Card

2011-12-05T15:31:00.000-08:00

Short cuts always take longer. *sigh* Because I'd carved the original block differently than my cartoon I've had to trace and transfer the image with wax paper (the only thing I could see well enough thru on the block) and chalk onto the back of the block.

Now I'm carving away around the ornaments; next the window scene. Ugly, ugly work. I hate how the block looks.

Also need to carve a hole for the ornaments on the first block.

White Line - Tree

2011-12-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

Less than pleased with the white line approach to this print. I inked the tree and powedered the ornaments and stray splotches but the job is labor and time consuming and less than satisfactory. Short cuts always take longer.

I'll go ahead and carve a second block of ornaments and the window scene and just carve away all the ornaments on the tree. Less time and labor in the long run.

I can use the back of the block tho that's a new concept as well. Learn something new with every project.

White Line - More Carving

2011-12-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

Almost done with the tree. Just a few ornaments left at the top. Then I can test print the tree and see how much trouble it'll be to clean up the ornaments each time.

Time for a test print.

White Line - Carving Continues

2011-11-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

Another couple hours of work this morning. I'll get back to it this afternoon.

BTW, I'm battling my way thru my supply of baltic birch. It's rather chippy. I'd gotten used to shina, which I much prefer and will go back to when these blocks are used up.

chip between ribbon and gingerbread cookie

White Line - Carving

2011-11-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

Cartoon transfered to block

Starting to carve

Slow going, but I'll be able to start printing the tree as soon as it's carved. Then I'll finish carving the window area.

White Line

2011-11-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

Block is stained and when it's dry I'll transfer the cartoon. I've decided to do a white line woodcut and ink it up and print it in two passes. This is pretty much what I do when I tap in colors and print at once, but this will be more like carving two blocks. I'll still have to take care with alignment.

Tempus fugit. Sure don't want it to frangit! ;- j

Loscon Art Show 2011

2011-11-23T16:39:00.000-08:00

I've got a booth in the art show again this year. Nothing's carved in wood, so to speak, but this is what I'm thinking of taking:

I lay the pictures out on my bed, which happens to be almost exactly the size of a double panel in the art show, to get some idea of what to take.

Some regulars, like the airships, printmaker and paleo-critters, but there are some new-to-Loscon pieces this year: the Bookkeeper and Anasazi Bobcat (both zinc etchings), Pigasus, Foggy & Umi's Tears.

It gets a little cluttered with all the bid sheets attached to all the pieces, but that's the nature of the beast.

Art Gallery Bio

2011-11-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

This is my bio sheet for the Santa Clarita Artists Association Gallery, opening this Black Friday at the Westfield Valencia Town Center. 8-] It's a store front that's been empty for some while and the town has decided to let the SCAA use it for a gallery until a paying customer comes along. Now that's a deal!

I've got 3 pieces in the opening show:

Mid-Winter Night

Tay and the Night Visitor

Paleo-Horsefly

Here's a link to the SCAA website:
http://santaclaritaartists.org/

A Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Art Show and Artist's Reception will be celebrated on Monday, December 12th from 4 - 8 p.m. City and Community Representatives will be invited. The SCAA will also present a “Spirit of the Arts” award to the Westfield Town Center Mall for its support of the Visual Arts. The ceremony and reception are free and open to the public. There will be musical entertainment, along with Wine and Hors D'oeuvres.

Still More Messing

2011-11-13T12:48:00.000-08:00

I really must stop messing with the design and start carving. I'm not sure what I think of the addition of garland around the window. I think it actually detracts. Or it might balance the color. But which?

I think I can get away with carving 2 blocks. One for the green and one for the black, with the ornaments tapped in. I'll have to see if that's practical.

carve

Working on composition balance now. This is what it'll look like on the 9"x12" block. It looks like crap because I overlay images in PageMaker. I'm only interested in the placement of image and white space here. The tree comes a little past the center of the block, but the window is a more dynamic image.

I've decided against the garland.

Huh. I've just noticed the center of the window is the center of the card.

print

Can't forget what's mirror and what's not. Keep an eye on the castle. ;- j

Card will be more like 4.25"x7.75", but I'll keep this balance.

Crossroads and Connections

2011-11-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

I went to see the opening of a fiber art show last night because I know one of the artists, Lauri Mraz. Crossroads featured in the notice is her work:

Imagine my delight to find that connected to this gallery was the studio of a fellow printmaker, Sonia Romero from She Rides The Lion on Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SheRidesTheLion?ga_search_submit=Search&ga_search_query=she+rides+the+lion&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade.

We know each other thru Printsy, a team of printmakers on Etsy, but we had never met in person. That was a pleasant surprise. 8-]

You can check out Sonia's website here: http://www.sheridesthelion.com/

And check out the Printsy blog here: http://printsy.blogspot.com/

Xmas Card - Colors

2011-11-10T15:13:00.000-08:00

Working on colors and motifs. I may need 3 blocks to do this: one for the green tree, one for the ornaments, with tapped in colors, and one for the window.

I don't want to go to the trouble of erasing all the ornaments, but there'll be a 3rd block with just the ornaments and the present in the mouse's hands.

Ok, here's the bw version minus the tree:

I can make a stencil mask for the tree when printing the window, then mask the window when printing the ornaments. A second block can be the tree minus the ornaments.

Working on block size now. Has to match well with the required card size.

Pastel Sketch

2011-11-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

Working on some pastel sketches. How big can the mice get and how small can the castle get? I think the castle has to be a tad larger. Maybe the mice have to be a tad smaller.

Mice don't look too bad size-wise. Castle might get a little bigger. (I can really tell I'm playing now.) ;- j

Tighter Sketch

2011-11-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas card sketch - tighter.

Might even just give a hint of a curve to the window and make it even tighter. Have to see. Currently I'm googling xmas trees and ornaments and cartoony mice for inspiration.

I'd like to use some color, either tapped in or using two blocks.

I like tradition ornaments, old-fashioned ones like dried fruit and nuts, candy canes, gingerbread cookies. Another possibility is ornaments to highlight people's hobbies, or devices. Not enough room for everyone's tho, so maybe not. Lights, candles. Lots of ideas to consider.

Xmas Card Sketches

2011-10-30T00:04:00.000-07:00

Switching gears now and working on the Schuyler House xmas card. I always do a castle theme, as that's the company logo, and this year I was thinking of doing something with a long, tall castle window.

Something like this:

Or this:

But it seems so static. So I thought about adding a couple of castle denizens, and maybe a tree just peaking into the picture. I've wanted to stick a castle ornament on a tree for a couple years now, but I haven't found a look I liked. This is getting there.

I might move the castle over to the middle of the tree, or add another mouse to the tree, reaching for an ornament, as Steph suggested. I'll play with it a bit more.

Now back to editing the fighter poem collection.

Signing

2011-10-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

Signing all these cards is a pain in the...wrist. ;- ] Over half way there, then stuff them in a mailer and send them winging on their way.

Fly little dragonflies! They're on their way! =8-D

Such a relief. I feel like I can turn around and jump right into a new block, but I know that's just the high that comes from a finished project. But shortly I'll have to dive into the xmas card block. No rest for the over-extended.

Color Variations

2011-10-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a variety of the colorways for my Paleo-Dragonflies. They're all basically brown with red wings. I mixed up the brown from yellow, red and blue, so depending on how I mixed the ink, it got lighter or darker.

I like that frankly because I go mad doing the same thing over and over again (makes you wonder why I'd want to do editions, doesn't it?), and this way I can entertain my brain while I work. ;-]

Pile-o-Prints

2011-10-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Cutting the cards apart.

A little over 100 prints. Haven't counted exactly.

The pile is a shade shy of 2" tall.

They should fit in a Priority Mail envelope, all spread out.

One Block Too Far

2011-10-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

I knew I shouldn't've printed that last dragonfly. The ink was getting gunky, but there was one more place on the strip. Needless to say it won't see the light of day.

I'm fairly sure I printed enough for the exchange, given the occasional poor print. I must say there were very few misprints, most of them pushing the ink past its nature. I need to print 100+ prints more often. ;- j

I'm glad we decided on 101 prints in this collection. It's been an interesting and surprising experience printing so many. I'll count them up tomorrow and make sure I have enough.

Then I'll cut them apart and start the arduous task of signing and numbering them all. I left room to sign the front, but there really isn't enough room for the title, etc. So I'll initial the front and sign the back. Afterall, they are Artist Trading Cards, right?

Today's Production

2011-10-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Another productive morning. As others have noted, once you cross the 50th print, you're sort of in the groove. I cranked out another 33 prints today. I could have continued but we're time-sharing the kitchen table and Bill wanted his breakfast. ;- j Tomorrow, Monday for sure, I'll have them all done. They're drying really fast.

It really was in the groove. The day wasn't dry like it was yesterday -- I had an idea it might be good printing when we found ourselves in a cloud last night when we took Loki for his walkies. I only had to clean the block a couple times in all that printing, and the ink wasn't drying out as fast either.

I'm really in the groove now. No wasted motion anymore. I love it when the block practically prints itself. Tore down more paper strips (4 and 5 to a strip, as it turns out) of Arches 88, marked them in pencil where each block should land, recarved the ends of the block to clean up the messy inky bits that were accumulating (plus opened up a couple lines that seemed to have smooshed closed -- technical term). Also went over the block with a stylus to dig out any leftover ink that didn't clean out the day before (happens often with really fine lines I find). Mixed my ink, cranked my press to the proper pressure, and away I went. Color on the wings is tapping in very nicely now too. Hope tomorrow is as groovy as today has been. 8-]

Half Way There

2011-10-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

And then there were 50 -- give or take a couple light prints. Goes kind of slow when I have to clean the block and refresh the ink every 5 or 6 prints. I can sure see why there are so many printmakers in the Pacific Northwest!

Printing - Arches 88

2011-10-18T14:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't printed on Arches 88 in ages, but I remembered it's crisp treatment of woodcuts, so I ordered some. I really like it, and its perfect for the mini-cards for ex. 50.

It's dry as all get out here today and its sucking the moisture out of the ink. This is the 7th print in a row and it's getting all gunked up.

Cleaning the block and refreshing the ink and getting back to it. ;-]

~*~

Printed another set. Here's the whole thing, 18 prints.

I've tried printing them separately and in a strip and I prefer the strip of 4 or 5. It's easier to place the block. The single card can curl and is harder to register.

~*~

Here's a scan of the dragonfly. I'm happy with the colorway.

New Colorway

2011-10-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

Working on a new colorway. The reddish yellow didn't thrill me. This is a brown made from yellow, blue, red (touch of black) with red tapped in on the wings. I'm liking it.

Made a greeny brown with yellow and black, it was too green so I added blue and red. I'll probably leave the black out on the next pass.

This is still on kozo, which I'm not sure I'll be using. I want to try some Arches 88 before I decide. Time to cut down paper and see.

But first some more brown prints on kozo. It's addictive. ;-]

25 more prints, a few of them too light. Really goes quickly. I'm liking this colorway a lot. I think it's what I'll go with.

Time for a lunch break.

More Test Printing

2011-10-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Not sure they're actual prints yet. Playing with the color. It definitely goes faster with a smaller block.

Clean up now and attention to some of the blurrier details. I want to recarve a couple areas. Around feet and the hand print.

Test Pring - Paleo-Dragonfly II

2011-10-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

Test print done with a baren on kozo paper.

A little less flash from the camera.

All four little test prints. As usually happens, the first couple don't take ink completely. The block has to wake up.

I can of course make a black & white print, my default plan on any block. But I'll give it a try with some color and see what I think. But now that the block has been used, it'll start to swell a bit and I'll have to open up a few of the finest lines before I can print again. Par for the course. It used to frustrate the heck out of me, but now I just take it in stride. ;- j

Carving Paleo Dragonfly II

2011-10-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

Carving away. I'll need to widen a lot of these lines, but it's off to a good start. Time for a break (and to roll my shoulders).

~*~

And yet more carving.

Some lines will need more work, but that's the basic critter. ;-] I'm thinking I'll print it in ochre and tap in a little red on the wings. See how that looks.

Mini-Print Exchange #50

2011-10-03T12:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the block for the mini-print exchange #50. We'll be doing a whopping 100 prints to exchange! What a collection. 8-] High time I get going on it.

This is another paleo-dragonfly in my Paleo Mythos series. The original of this design is an acid etching:

It's a black & white intaglio print with watercolor accents, approx. 3"x5".

Paleo-dragonfly II will be a woodcut, 2.5"x3.5". I'm still dithering on color(s).

~*~

Carving, carving. Itty bitty has its challenges.

Pieces Sold at the Show

2011-09-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

Our Garden Party Art Show was a great success! I fear I talked people's heads off, but they were all kind enough to listen.

I sold three pieces at the show. If I'd thought ahead I would have taken better pics of them. ;-j

Once In a Blue Moon, woodcut

Paleo Dreams, monoprint

Paleo-Ho-Ho, woodcut

I could get used to this idea of selling my art. ;-] I guess I'd better start taking better pictures of my art.

Matting & Framing

2011-09-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

Working on matting and framing new works and older works I haven't shown before. Came across an interesting mat size at Aaron Bros. called Digital that works just great with some of my odd-ball sized smaller prints. (Now if I'd learn to cut my own mats I wouldn't have this problem.) ;- j

Broke my brain tho. I can only look at mats and frames for so long before I can't think anymore. I'll go back tomorrow and see what else I can find. Nice sales right now.

Screening for the Display Panels

2011-09-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for our Garden Party Art Show on the 25th.

Today I played with some black nylon netting. The pvc pipe/fencing display panels we made last year are a little too see-thru and I'm trying to make them less so.

Trouble is, it can't get opaque. I'm trying for something like window screening.

It isn't perfect, but it is a bit shaded. I think it'll help, especially if I make a point of matching frames on both sides so you don't see the back of any frames.

Live and learn. Looking forward to this second art show.

Paleo Dragon-fly Woodcut

2011-08-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Working on the composition for my paleo dragon-fly woodcut for the a mini-print exchange.

Cobbled this together on Paint Shop Pro and PageMaker. The lizard is from an etching:

I'm working on changing the wings 'cuz the print will be only 2.5"x3.5" and I want to play and not just copy the dern thing (it's an etching I did in printlab a few years ago). I like how the image overflows the space.

Sure makes the image dinky tho. I may rethink that. Might call for a simpler design.

Garden Party Art Show Postcard

2011-08-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Second Annual Garden Party Art Show!

Awaiting the postcards from VistaPrint. Anyone who wants one sent to them, give me your snail mail address and I'll add you to my mailing list: ellen.shipley@schuylerhouse.com. 8-]

Now back to actually making art or I'll have nothing to show. ;- j

Garden Party Art Show

2011-08-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

Light, Paint, Ink & Clay. Our second Garden Party Art Show. We had such a good time with the first one we've decided to do it again - and add a potter to the mix. It's scheduled for Sun., Oct. 1. Hopefully we'll have as nice a day as last year's show.

I've been working on the postcard. This is what I've got so far:

Tony's photography, Tina's watercolor and oil paintings, Jim & Pat's pottery and my woodcut prints and tapestry pieces. Should be a fun show.

2011-07-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

TPC Summer Art Festival reception this evening, 4:30pm to 7:00pm. Come by for conversation and cookies. ;-]

2011-07-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Umi's Tears is up on the Inspired By Japan website. http://barenforum.org/japan/prints.html I'm so glad I'm pariticipating in the fundraiser for tsunami relief. As the site says:

These original hand pulled prints were made with great respect for Japan and the very best wishes from all the artists for a recovery. Each artist printed 30 prints of the same image that will be sold in venues all over the world to raise funds for relief for those who survived the terrible earthquake and Tsunami.

First venue, South Africa. ;-]

Umi's Tears - Inspired By Japan

2011-07-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

There's some variaiton in the color intensity of the prints, but none of the scans show the wave color true, but the last scan comes closest. It's phthalo green rolled over phthalo blue.

Now I'm signing and numbering the prints and getting 31 of the 35 ready for the mail.

Back to Printing Today

2011-07-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

Back to printing today, amid a couple fanfic writing assignments. I really shouldn't cross the streams, but sometimes the time gets away from me.

Also we're nursing our old puppy dog through a serious tummy disorder. She won't eat, but at least she's drinking. Boxer's have touchy tummies, but this is a first. I'm dribbling broth down her resisting gullet, but it's been a week since we took her to the vet, and she really needs nurishment.

At least I can tear down the rest of the paper. That doesn't take a brain.

~*~

Ta-da! Finished printing. And wonder of wonders, they're all good prints! That's never happened before. There's some variation here and there, but no botched prints. Amazing.

Now to figure out how to mail them off to the show. 15"x10" is an odd size, but I'm sure there's an envelope that'll fit.

Umi's Tears - Printing

2011-07-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Prints at last. I got half of them done today, half again tomorrow. I like the kozo paper.

Working well with two brayers, a large and a small, to add the greeny-blue tint to the center. I'm liking it.

TCP Art Show

2011-07-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

Got three woodcuts ready for The Summer Art Festival later this month. I'm putting in Paleo-Umi, Paleo-Phoenix and Hippocampus. A mythical display.

Finished Carving Umi's Tears

2011-06-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

Finished carving finally.

Now I'm ready for a test print, but in the meantime, here is a faux print - b&w mirror image of the block:

So now I tear down the paper and pull out the ink...to be continued.

~*~

Will had a suggestion about color. I said I was thinking of going with blue, in keeping with the water theme, and he suggested blue with a turq. center. Sort of bluey-green. Interesting. I'll experiment. Whatever I do it'll be rolled on or tapped in as it's one block.

Background on Umi's Tears

2011-06-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

Working on the background now. As usual, I'm carving the lines too finely. Have to work on that. They get all mashed down or swell and have to be recarved anyway.

Time for a break.

Progress on Umi's Tears

2011-06-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Burning the candle on both ends and the middle with the Inspired by Japan woodcut, a weaving project, house remodeling and out-of-town company. Racing to finish Umi's Tears so I can get the prints off to Barbara who's coordinating the collection.

Leftovers II - Up on Wingtip Press

2011-06-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

I participated in the Leftovers II mini print exchange at Wingtip Press and Amy's been uploading all the prints on her blog. My print is in this batch:

http://leftoversanyone.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-many-more-courses.html

It was an exchange for using up leftover pieces of print paper. When ever you cut down paper for a set of prints, there are always odd bits of paper left over. This was a clever way to use them up. I had a lot of fun with mine.

Check out all the mini prints in the collection -- all 120 of them here:
http://leftoversanyone.blogspot.com/ Amy's putting a handful up each day.

Online Award 8-]

2011-06-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

How nice. 8-] I got an online recognition award from Tracy Myers at Interior Design Degree Online in an article 50 Best Blogs by Printmakers:
http://www.interior-design-degree-online.org/printmakers

Interior-Design-Degree-Online

Check it out and you'll find a lot of my friends' sites there too. 8-]

On Hiatus

2011-06-01T11:51:00.000-07:00

I've been on hiatus from printing. It was time for the twice-yearly poetry collection I edit (my 40th edition), but it goes to press today and I'm free to carve again. ;-]

Umi's Tears

2011-05-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Messing about with the cartoon today. Tilted dragon eye, smaller wave reflected in eyeball. I can't help thinking I'm displacing tho. I'd better get the cartoon transfered and get to carving soon.

Getting Ready to Carve

2011-05-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Paper and wood ordered from McClains. Birch block sanded and stained. Rough cartoon, but good to go. If it's all worked out ahead of time I get bored. The fun is in the carving. Getting ready to have fun. ;-]

The Painter's Keys

2011-05-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

A pleasant surprise. 8-]

I occasionally read an artist's blog, The Painter's Keys, by Robert Genn. I popped in the other day and discovered him talking about "unschooling," the concept developed by John Holt, an educational philosopher. My friend Kim introduced us to his newsletter and we became aficionados. So I fired off a comment to the blog and lo and behold, I'm the first of the accompanying comments. With a pic of my latest woodcut! I'm jazzed.

http://clicks.robertgenn.com/unschooling.php
The unschooling of art

Japan Relief Print

2011-04-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Moving right along (no rest for the wicked -- or chronically lazy). Working on a sketch for the Japan Relief Benefit Print.

This is a giant wave reflected in an umi dragon's eye. I had to negotiate the design with my son, who has a proprietary interest in the umi dragon, as he has a roll playing character based on the concept. He wanted to make sure the dragon was portrayed in a positive manor. I hope this meets with his approval.

I'm tentatively calling it Umi's Tears.

Eye tilted slightly. Tear moved over. Don't know what I'd do w/o my scanner and Paint Shop Pro. ;-y

Yet another iteration.

The thing about art is it's obsessive/compulsive. Thank goodness dinner is almost done and I can quit this for awhile. ;-j

Mythology Exchange - Prints Away

2011-04-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature Welcomes Thor prints are on their way!

Mother Nature has been a fixture of our family mythos since our son Will used to watch the BBC cartoon program Super-Ted, with its improbable cast of characters too strange to mention. Mother Nature became an amorphous, generic force for good in our family, like a cosmic granny.

Thor was our beloved family dog who, as all children know, went to doggie heaven when he passed away. It has been a decade since he left us, but he is still fondly in our thoughts.

Printing - Day 3

2011-04-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Better day of printing yesterday. Hotter weather, so ink dried out faster. Had to clean the block often and dig out ink in the finer lines with a stylus (tedious task, but worth it).

Now that I've finished printing the set, I'm seriously recarving the block to open up the finer lines. I drive myself mad sometimes with those fine lines. Sometimes I think I should be doing engraving, or go back to etching.

Progressing.

Time for a break.

Printing - Day 2

2011-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Less than satisfying second day of printing. The one on the left is from yesterday, the one on the right is from today. I suspect it's the sometimes unavoidable side effect of too-fine lines. They swell after the block has been wet. I often have to recarve finer lines and I think this is one of those occasions.

Also it's cooler today than yesterday and the ink texture may be affected by it.

So I'll be recarving some of the lines next. The usual two steps forward, one step back. ;-j

Recarving. Powder helps to show contrast.

Mother Nature Welcomes Thor

2011-04-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, I like how this came out. ;-] Now all I have to do is print 30 more. ;- j

Test Print - Mother Nature

2011-04-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

I was playing around with a scan of the block in Paint Shop Pro and I decided I really like this look:

So I did some test prints today using Burnt Sienna.

I really like this.

I'll tear down the rest of my paper and have at it tomorrow. Company coming for dinner and I've got ready to get. ;-]

Finished Carving Mythology Block

2011-04-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

Finished carving. Time for a test print. I'll be doing that tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's a faux print (mirror image of the block in black & white):

More Carving

2011-04-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Another hour of carving. The stars are addictive.

~*~

Another hour or so of carving.

~*~

Another session.

~*~

Moving along.

That should do it for today.

Carving - Thor & Mother Nature

2011-04-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

Starting to carve. It's those first marks that get the juices flowing.

More carving. ;-]

~*~

Yet more carving.

Sanding and Staining

2011-04-07T18:42:00.000-07:00

Sanding and staining the block today. It's a cold, soon-to-be damp day, so I expect it to take a while to dry. Still working on the cartoon, but I'll have something to transfer when the block is ready.

Starry Background

2011-04-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

Cut & paste Mother Nature and Thor over a starry background. I want to do something like my Once In a Blue Moon woodcut for the stars.

Ordered paper. Probably carve this on a 6"x8" block. Print size in chuban, 7.5"x10" for Baren exchange #48. I'll print some on larger paper, maybe 10"x11". Easier to mat and frame larger paper.

Mother Nature - Pastel Sketches

2011-03-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

Pulled out the pastels to work on my Mother Nature block. The theme is Mother Nature welcoming our dog, Thor (because all dogs go to heaven).

I want to incorporate images of the moon and stars. Back to the pastels.

Another couple sketches:

And another one.

Personifying Mother Nature.

Spring Projects

2011-03-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Getting behind! So what else is new?

The mythology print exchange is due May 1. Time to take it off the back burner and give it another stir.

Added to the menu: a commemorative collection for the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. As I'm still missing a friend who lives in the affected area, this project has personal meaning.

Blocks for the Puzzle Block Exchange are going out soon. No idea yet what I'll put on it. Guess I'll wait to see which piece I get. It has a city theme.

On the poetry front, fighter poem assignments have gone out and are due back May 1. That's when my mad editor skills come into play and the book gets magically done. That's due early June.

I'm teaching a sprang class at the Fiber Retreat, also in June. Still compiling supplies and making the looms.

And for silliness I'm still writing fanfic entries for the Last Author Standing contest. Haven't been voted off the island yet.

Throw in Will's and Bill's birthdays and it's a busy Spring. Is that all?

Cosmic Tidbits - Leftovers II

2011-03-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

Prints are away. This is the best signed one. I had some trouble finding anything that would write on both the very dark prints and the lighter ones. I opted for a silver pen for the darker prints and dark pencil on the lighter ones. Not entirely satisfactory, but done.

I can't wait to see what prints I get back in exchange. 8-]

Leftovers II Scans

2011-03-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the Leftovers II prints. Quite a lot of variety in paper, ink and image, which adds to the charm in my opinion. ;- ]

They're all pieces of the Once In a Blue Moon block, which tickles me. Hey, if printmaking isn't fun, why do it? ;- y

Now I'll pick 14 of the best (or most curious) and send them winging on their way.

Can't wait to see what I get back in exchange. 8-]

Blue Moon Leftovers

2011-03-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

Well this was fun. I had to stop myself from printing up every leftover piece of paper in the studio. I only need 14 for the Leftovers II exchange.

I print my woodblocks face down, but this is basically how I aligned my leftover pieces of paper on the block.

Haven't decided if I'll sign and label them on the back, or on the front with a metalic pen. Don't know which "rule" to break: the sign-it-in-pencil rule or the sign-it-on-the-front rule. ;- j

Any suggestions?

Mythology Musings

2011-02-27T10:01:00.000-08:00

Well it's feast or famine around here. I've got another print exchange I'm gearing up for: Baren Forum Ex. #48, theme: Mythology.

My first thought was a variation on the goddess Sophia, or Wisdom. I envision it something similar to a watercolor I did awhile back for a friend when she got her Masters in Physics:

Julie: Mistress of Science

A start.

But then I got to thinking of another watercolor I did when our beloved dog Thor passed away:

Thor Greets Mother Nature

I did it in the style of Klimt and patterned it after a photograph of my sister and Thor:

Getting there.

I'm thinking of recreating Thor & Mother Nature, but more in the style of Mistress of Science.

Time to make some pastel sketches.

Leftovers II

2011-02-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

I've joined a print exchange called Leftovers II, the upshot of which it has to be printed on leftover paper -- the bits and pieces that are left over when you've broken down paper for previous print projects.

Who doesn't have those? I've come across some long, thin pieces that are just perfect.

Now for the subject. What behoves an exchange called Leftovers? I'm thinking something large enough to be printed on many pieces at once. Say Once In a Blue Moon:

My thinking is to lay out the strips of paper and print on all of them at once. The individual prints will be pieces of the whole. And afterall what are leftovers if now pieces of a whole?

I thought this block would lend itself nicely to the project, with it's profusion of stars. Each print will capture a piece of a star. ;-]

Here's the link and info:

Prints: 14 - must include a hand process

Paper Size: Up to 5" x 7" - can be smaller, but NO larger please!
Cost: $12.00
Due Date: March 15, 2011
To sign up email Amy at info@wingtippress.com

~*~

Well, I was going to upload some process pics, but blogger is having a breakdown and I can't upload any pics at the moment. I'll try later.

Here we go. Laying paper over the block to see how it'll fit. This arrangement will take two passes (at least). Not sure how they'll all come out. I may pick the best slices and repeat them.

SCAA Art Show and Fundraiser

2011-02-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

Barnes & Noble Community Room, 23630 Valencia Blvd. Valencia, CA

Reception Saturday, February 12th - 1 - 5 p.m.

The show and the reception are free and open to the public.

Original art and photographs will be on display until Saturday, February 19th.

Please give the number 10405868 to the cashier when you make a purchase in the store between February 12th - 19th, or on their website, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, between February 12th - 24th. The SCAA receives a percentage of sales only if the number is given. Proceeds from these sales help to fund our annual scholarship award, monthly demonstrations, workshops and outreach programs.

Come one and all -- or go to http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ and order something online. 8-]

I'll have a couple pieces in the show.

Last Artist Standing ;-j

2011-02-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

I've been on an artistic hiatus since the holidays. But it's time I get back to work.

I've been a little sidetracked with another project, non-art related, but I've come up with a plan to combine the two.

I'm currently involved in a writing contest -- Last Author Standing -- in the fanfiction community (ok, so I'm a geek). Every two weeks I get a prompt and then I have to write a short story (from 100 to 1000 words) on a related topic. Then we vote and someone wins and someone gets "voted off the island" until there is one last author standing. S/he gets the acclaim of their peers and a gift certificate to a bookstore, or somesuch. Like I said, geeky.

Anyway, I'm having a lot of fun and so far we're on our third round of stories.

But now it's occured to me that I might try and make a related woodcut on the prompt as well. Not necessarily an illustration, but a separate project. So now that I've said it aloud, so to speak, I guess I have to take a stab at it.

Wish me luck! 8-]

What I said. ;-]

2011-01-05T11:11:00.001-08:00

Near as I can figure, this is the freqency of words I used on recent posts. Clearly they all deal with the xmas card block. ;-] Nice site.
http://www.wordle.net/

Christmas Card Update

2010-12-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Yay! The cards came! And they look pretty good. 8-]

Tay and the Night Visitor

They're good sturdy card stock too. We're pleased. We went with Overnight Prints. Only took a week (there abouts).

Anyone who wants to get on my xmas card list, just send me your mailing address!

8-]

2010 Christmas Card

2010-12-03T13:26:00.000-08:00

Ta-Da! The Christmas card is done and ordered. The image is more saturated than the woodcut print (wish I could print such rich color!). We ordered it thru Overnight Prints. We'll see how they do. Not that there will be time to redo the whole thing. Crossed fingers!

I always say I'm going to start earlier next year, and I never do. But I sure hope I do next time. This last minute business is frangling. Maybe Christmas in July? ;- p

Test Print -- Press

2010-12-01T22:04:00.000-08:00

Ok, this isn't too bad. Recarving really helped. Also I think my pressure was too high on the press yesterday. Alignment seems to work. I'm getting happy. 8-]

Not sure I care for the pinky-looking chop tho. Maybe I'll go back to blue.

Test Block 2 - Recarving

2010-12-01T15:28:00.000-08:00

I have a tendency to carve too fine of lines that disappear in the printing process. So I'm recarving the stonework on block 2 to make it more visible. Recarved some elements on block 1 as well. Half way thru all the cobbles.

And then on to another test print.

~*~

Ok, I recarved both blocks.

The stonework took the most time, so I didn't get to make another test print yet. Maybe after dinner.

Test Print - Block 1

2010-12-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Less than satisfying test print. I have a tendency to carve delicate lines when I really need to dig deeper. Detail on Tay is disappearing. Back to the carving board a bit today.

This was on the press. I think I'll try the baren to see if I get something different.

Test Print -- Xmas Card

2010-11-29T14:27:00.000-08:00

Very rough test print, just to see how the blocks work together. Poor alignment is operator error. ;-j I definitely think it's going to work!

Stonework's a little dark, but I think it'll work. Have to work on inking techniques next. I need to make myself some felt daubers.

This one's better. And I can see how I have to carve away more of the board, around Tay especially.

Block 2 Almost There

2010-11-23T16:21:00.000-08:00

Almost there on block 2. Still a little more to clear away on the stonework before I can test print, but Thanksgiving prep may postpone that until after the holiday.

I like how it's coming. I just hope I can align the two blocks!

Block 2 -- Christmas 2010

2010-11-20T13:40:00.000-08:00

Starting to carve block 2. Outlined the antlers and working on the stonework.

I finished up some detail on block 1 as well. Anything else will have to wait for a test print.

And back to block 2.

~*~

And back at it again this morning. Got another hour in.

~*~

I powdered the block to get a better view of the stonework. I'm trying to decide whether to carve the mortar or leave it dark.

Carving -- Christmas 2010

2010-11-18T14:21:00.000-08:00

I started carving the first block last night, just to get it off the ground.

Back at it again today. This took a couple hours.

And here's a close-up of the block. I may have to clear away a little more around the elements. I'll see when I test print it. Still have more details to carve.

I have a couple small brayers and bake, or Japanese stencil brushes that should work nicely for inking.

Transfering Cartoon -- Christmas 2010

2010-11-17T14:51:00.000-08:00

Transfering the cartoon to the blocks today. I'm tracing the same image on both blocks, even tho I won't be carving the same elements on both. Partly for alignment and partly because I'm obsessvie/compulsive about it. ;- j

Here's the process. I carved a couple of kento-like notches in the cartoon to aid in placement.

Here's where I've chalked the back of the cartoon so I can trace it onto the blocks. Normally I use a pink or yellow chalk, which works really great with black dyed boards. But I had to switch to black chalk for it to show up on the stained boards. I just have to remember which system I'm using and stick with it.

I like to carve details like the stonework or the antlers freehand as I go. There has to be some surprise in the piece to keep it lively.

Enough displacing. Back to work. ;- j

Coloring Cartoons

2010-11-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

Working out the colors for the two blocks. The first block will have the major areas of color -- sky, reindeer, Tay.

The second block will have the detailed bits -- stonework, antlers, harness, initials.

Actually I'll carve this:

And this:

I can roll on the major areas of color and tap on the fiddly bits, like the harness.

It works on paper. We shall see if it works in wood. ;- j

~*~

I restained the boards, so I won't be able to transfer the cartoons today. Tomorrow.

Also, in restaining the boards, I noticed a straight line coming up on both boards. Looks like a spot where one top laminate sheet was attached to another. It's smooth to the touch, but I don't know if it will show on the print, like wood grain. I've considered the cartoons, and I'll probably be able to avoid the area for most of the printing surface. Guess we'll see.

Christmas Card Chimera

2010-11-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

Here's my chimera. Something only a mother could love. ;- j I'm about to draw my cartoon. Then I'll sand and stain the boards. Going for two this time...I hope. We shall see!

cartoon

Design Stage -- Christmas Card

2010-11-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

The Schuyler House Christmas card is in the design stage. That's Tay, the office dog (or one of them, but he's there most days). He greets everyone with the hope of getting up a game of tug or fetch. I imagined him greeting Santa's team on the castle ramparts.*

I googled oodles of reindeer, castle crenellations, even the harness Santa prefers. ;-> I don't know what I'd do without the internet for inspiration and research.

I might crop out some of the reindeer to give the impression of the rest of the team behind him.

*The Schuyler House logo is a castle.

Centerfold 8-]

2010-10-31T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hey, I'm in a centerfold. 8-]

Ok, so it's for CHEM 13 news, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. ;->

This from Jenn Shmitt, the co-ordinator:

It's that time again... more Periodic Table Print Project News.

The September issue of the Chem13 News features our project (we're even the centerfold!). They were so inspired that they have started their own periodic table project--open to more media than just printmaking-- as part of the University's celebration of the Year of Chemistry, 2011.

Here's my contribution to the project: Titanium.

And the colophon:

Titanium, atomic number 22, is light, strong, lustrous and resistant to corrosion, even in sea water. It is a silvery-white metal and can be alloyed with iron, aluminium, vanadium and other elements to produce many lightweight alloys. It is used in everything from spacecraft to dental implants, and because it can burn in both air and nitrogen, it makes great fireworks.

Titanium was discovered in England in1791 and was named for the Titans of Greek mythology. I took my inspiration from the Titan allusion and have displayed the most famous Titan, Prometheus, who brought fire to mankind, against the wishes of an angry Zeus.

Here is Prometheus with a high-tech, titanium robotic arm, holding aloft a burst of fireworks. As serendipity would have it, fireworks can look remarkably like a spray of fennel blossoms, the seed of which Prometheus hid fire in to sneak it past the Gods.

No good deed goes unpunished, but that’s another story.

Tony's Pictures from Our Show

2010-10-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a link for Tony's pictures from our studio show:

http://ghostmodeler.blogspot.com/2010/10/home-art-show-inauguration.html

He caught a few things we missed.

Thanx everybody for a great show! 8-]

Pictures from Our "Garden Party" Studio Show

2010-10-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

I've uploaded pictures from our "garden party" studio show to this site:

http://usual-subjects.blogspot.com/2010/10/light-paint-ink-our-studio-show.html

It was a great experience and I'm so glad we did it, despite our trepidations. I think I might even do it again sometime. 8-]

Light, Paint & Ink -- Our Studio Show

2010-10-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Wo0t! 8-]

What a great show! I can't believe how well it all went. We had perfect weather, a terrific display, and people came! ;-D

Of course we couldn't have done it without the help of our great friends. I sure can't count and I was glad to have Karen to handle all the money so professionally. Tom was indispensable with all the set-up, and always so cheerful -- even in the face of stressed-out artists.
Laurie's food was scrumptious, and every time I turned around, there was Steph with a plate of cheese or cookies...even sandwiches. It was nice to have the waters handy. I sure talked myself dry. (The wine was nice too.) ;->

Roy and Aida and others were all so helpful with the set-up and support. It's good to have such good friends.

And I can't believe people actually came in response to our postcards and e-mail! My friend Pat, who ended up buying something from both Tina and myself, only came because of that last e-postcard. Boy was that a smart idea! We got great advice from Laura and Belinda and Maria and other old hands in the art fair and show biz.

There was art everywhere. Who knew we were so prolific?! It boggles the mind. Tina and Tony's pro panels looked really professional, but I have to say our pvc pipe and wire mesh panels worked really well too. We'd make a couple improvements to the system, but it stood up to the task (if the label cards did tend to blow thither and yon all day).

I think we all did fabulously well for our first studio show. I sold a number of pieces -- including one to my sister who called during the show!) I even made a commission and a trade.

Now I've got to get busy and print up a couple blocks. And I've got the Loscon Art Show to get ready for.

No rest for the wicked. ;-j

Almost There...

2010-10-23T22:52:00.000-07:00

We set up the display panels and the pop-up in Tina & Tony's backyard.

The corners are staked and zippy-tied to hold them down. We'll hang the art tomorrow morning.

Here's the pile-o-art all bagged up and ready to go into the van. Like my vicious guard dogs? ;-j

I just hope they don't chew on anything in the middle of the night!

Now off to bed and up with the birdies.

At the Wiring Stage

2010-10-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

I'm at the wiring stage now -- 8 or 9 pics to go. Everything's matted and framed. Then on to labels.

I use my bed for arranging art for the panels, and for a record of what's in the show. Here's one bedful.

It's not meant to be archival, just a guideline. I find once I get to a show, I've forgotten what I have, let alone where I was going to hang it. ;-]

Bill thinks we should arrange the panels in an X, for stability. Sounds like a plan. We're setting up panels and tables tomorrow, hanging art on Sun. Down to the wire.

Oh yeah, wiring. ;- j Back to it.

Matting, Framing & Stashing

2010-10-18T13:09:00.000-07:00

Matting, framing and stashing art for my studio show. What a production!

Think I should've started this process awhile ago (but then I wouldn't be the champion of procrastination). ;-j

Oh well, I wouldn't have so many pieces left to frame up if I didn't have all the art, so I guess it's a good thing.

SCAA Art Classic XXI

2010-10-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

Woo and Hoo! I sold Paleo-Horsefly, the woodcut I entered into the SCAA Art Classic XXI this year. The reception and awards ceremony was today.

I'm happy it went to a good home, a horse lover with her own horse. 8-]

Here's a pic of myself and Sandra Cattell, my pleasant patron of the arts.

Two Weeks to Go!

2010-10-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Two weeks to go until our studio art show. ;-] Working on my e-mailing list now. Just going thru my address book and making a couple groups. I'm sure there'll be some duplicates, as my address book is very haphazard. Hopefully people will let me know so I can remove the dupes. I plan to use blind carbon copy in any case.

Of course I should be framing up some more woodcuts. Oh well, they're not going to frame themselves. ;->

Display Panel Production Line

2010-10-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

Bill and I made three more display panels out of pvc pipe and fencing. It went pretty quickly once we knew what we were doing. ;-j

We'll tie them together with zippy-ties, but if we need to, we can add bracing bars across the top.

Our studio show is less than three weeks away. Lots to do, but at least the display panels can be checked off the list. ;-]

Prototype Display Panel

2010-09-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

Less than a month until my three person studio show. Lots to do to get ready.

Bill and I worked on the second prototype display panel for my up-coming studio show. The first one (pvc pipe and pegboard) was way too heavy. This one is pvc pipe and wire fencing. As you can see it works great.

The zippy ties have yet to be trimmed in this picture. We plan to make 3 more and hook them all together in a zig-zag pattern which should be self-supporting.

I like the clean lines (and of course Bill likes the black and white motif). ;- ]