Two-Plate Printing

I actually went into my art room today and did a test run of two plates! I don't like the result, but that's ok. I am posting two photos, one of the first cardboard etch while still in the press and the second the finished print with the collagraph added to the etch. Firstly, I don't like the cardboard etch as it doesn't wipe clean the same way as a metal etch but if that doesn't matter then it could be used. I was intending for the branches to be in the background so maybe I need to try this again with the collagraph printed first and the etched branches second. It might just be my rusty brain not thinking in the right (printmaking) order!

I will post again tomorrow - I need to keep this roll going!

Artist's Block

Time has been flashing past me as I have been in a 'blue fog' of indecision and frustration, wondering what I am doing and why. I have lost my sense of direction and am struggling with a too busy mind trying to get back on track. Panic has taken hold and I am having difficulty getting back into my studio space and starting to work again. I know that once I get in there and start to make my marks I will be able to focus and continue - it's the first step that's got me stuck!

I am even having thoughts of selling off all of my art supplies and paintings and never thinking about doing any art ever again! My artist's ego is so ridiculously fragile it is making me angry - maybe that's a good thing! I will kick my artist's bum and kick-start my artist's art-making - in this last sentence I have replaced 'could' with 'will' - I have decided that was a very good thing and am now off to my little room to get the ironing out of there and run my plates! And if they don't turn out - who cares - there's always collage!

Here's hoping (willing) the page to turn on some actual productivity just for the fun of it!

The past week was one of organization and tidying up - a routine I go through before starting a new series of artwork. Paintings were delivered and picked up from all the galleries I currently display in, supplies were restocked etc. My 'other life' (the gardener, homemaker, wife, mom) had a lot of demands to be filled as well. Many hours were spent pulling weeds, transplanting plants, stocking the fridge, freezer and cupboards for the upcoming entertaining season and the last 'job', that of painting doors and trim and washing all the windows will be done today.

All the while I have been cooking ideas in my head for new artwork. Etching has been calling to me and I am going to experiment with combining non-toxic etching with an aluminum plate and copper sulphate solution and a collagraph plate. I want to have some fine detail and the loose, abstract qualities of a collagraph together in one print. The preliminary drawing is done and Monday will be the start day. I am also feeling the need to include some realism in my plates probably influenced by all the flowers, birds and beautiful scenery which surrounds me. I'm not keen on snowscapes so the winter months are more about abstracts.

I was walking on the market in downtown Ottawa yesterday after delivering some paintings to a gallery and out of the corner of my eye I caught a familiar movement. It was a flourish of a hand that I knew so well it stopped me in my tracks. I turned and there was a face under a green baseball cap that I hadn't seen for years and was so delighted to see. Wilma Pinkus, my very first art teacher/mentor with her watercolours painting away in the crowded, bustling market scene she loves so well! The coincidence of finding her there made my day! After catching up on the last 15 years or so I was on my way with a renewed sense of joy from seeing an old friend in the total bliss of doing what she loves so well and truly living in 'the now'.

Blogging Day 1

I have decided just to jump into this blogging thing and learn on the way, which is pretty much how I do most things anyway.

The plan is for this blog to be about seeing the world through the artist's eyes, in my case recently turned 60 year old hazel eyes which, remarkably are still 20/20, with the addition of reading glasses of which I own at least 10 to be found and lost in every room of my house.

At present, I am interested in creating art from my subconscious - I enjoy the mystery of working this way and am always surprised at what ends up in front of me. It is also very interesting to get comments from viewers as each person perceives the images in their own way.

As I work intuitively and almost never have a plan when I start a new piece of art, I will post my findings on how I figure out techniques with my printmaking and mixed media works and photos of the works in progress.

I will also post any items of interest to me about art and life in the hope that someone out there will find it interesting and informative.

I look upon this blogging experience as an opportunity to grow as an artist and as a person, so here goes!