News

"Vision." Monotype, 7 x 5 inches.

This brand-spanking-new monotype was delivered to Art of Framing in San Diego on Wednesday, along with some other new monotypes and small paintings. I even managed to do a small amount of exploring in San Diego, which was a major step for me. (I am terrified of the city, and in particular, the traffic.) I found a wonderful little cluster of galleries in a part of town called "Little Italy." I hope to go back when I have a little more time, and maybe when I can convince a friend to go with me.

Got some REALLY exciting news: M might actually be coming home tomorrow night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoa! I had to spend the day clearing paintings and boxes out of the way, so that he doesn't feel like his whole house has been overtaken with art. Even after a day of working on this particular task, I realize he may still feel like his whole house has been overtaken with art. It's his own fault, for leaving me alone with paint and brushes for such a long time. Right? Right.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone. I am thankful to you all, for reading and for your comments and feedback.

Birds!

Long hours have been spent in the studio, making new monotypes. I have found a lighter weight printmaking paper that is enabling me to get better prints without a printing press, and I am having lots of fun. In my sketchbook, I have many tiny sketches of animals. The sketchbook itself is small - about 6 x 5 inches. So these sketches of animals are often dime-sized or smaller. They are just little quick sketches I do of the animals I see outside the window. As it turns out, many of them happen to be birds. Some of them were so much fun, that I decided to use them for making monotypes. I drew larger versions of these little sketches onto cardboard. (I save cardboard from boxes of crackers, cereal, or other food items.) I then cut the drawings out. Then, they get ink rolled on them, are placed on top of an inked plate, and are printed onto my printmaking paper. I have been using a baren, a pin press and a wooden spoon to apply pressure. For a step by step tutorial on how I print monotypes without a press, click here.

Here are a few of the results. The first one (at the top of this post) is called "Inquiry II", and measures 10 x 8 inches. The next one is untitled, and measures 5 x 7 inches.


This one is "Calling II" and measures 8 x 10 inches.


I hope to have a few of the new ones listed for sale in my etsy shop by the end of the week. I will be sure to let you know when that happens!

Block Printmaking

I am excited, because yesterday, I printed my very first linoleum block prints! I have never done block printing before, and I wasn't really sure if I could produce something I would like. It took me a while to work out the composition. I had to remind myself that I was carving away the white areas and that the parts I left uncarved would be black. That was almost too much confusion for me, but I did finally figure it out. I decided to try a little composition with my favorite funny desert quail. I have had a bunch of them visiting me in the mornings, so I watch them while I eat breakfast. The best thing about these timid birds is the feather on top. It reminds me of a fancy lady with a feathered hat, and when they turn their heads, the feather bobs this way and that. It makes me laugh, every time I see it.



The photo above is a photo of the linoleum block after I printed it. You can see how the image is reversed. I printed ten of this block, and of the ten, I got eight prints that I was pleased with. The first two I printed were blurry, because the paper slipped on the block when I was applying pressure. So I had to figure out how to make the paper stay put. I am pretty happy with the results, and I am excited to try carving another one. It will have to wait, because I really need to focus on getting all this new work ready to show. That means framing, mounting, signing, and coming up with titles. I will admit that this is my least favorite part about doing art, and I am hoping I start to make enough money so that eventually I can pay someone ELSE to do my framing. One can dream.



Yesterday, we finally got some rain! We always welcome rain here in the desert. Everything looks different when it is wet, even the creosote! You can see all kinds of little green things growing at the base of it. My theory is that the seeds get blown all over the place, and they collect where there is something that will catch them. So that is why all the little green plants are usually found underneath a bigger bush or cactus. I could be wrong.

Super Saturday

I went to my friend Shant's house yesterday to use his press. I had the most magical day with monotype printmaking I have had in a long time!!! It was such a great day. I had so much fun, and I really love what I did. I was going to quickly scan a favorite from the day, to post, but apparently, my scanner is on the fritz!!! Oh no! I am not happy about that. I hope it isn't broken.



I guess I will have to post some other photos, to tide you over until I can figure out what's wrong with my scanner. Even though I am seeing more and more green things poking their little heads out of the desert sand, I am still photographing the dried flower bracts that remain from last summer. No one knows why.



I have been making a concerted effort to stop eating all the junk food that the holidays got me into the habit of. Unfortunately, I suffered a major setback today, when I could hear a pint of Ben and Jerry's NY Super Fudge Chunk calling my name. Yes, I went to the store to purchase ONE THING - that aforementioned ice cream. I then drove home and proceeded to eat half of it!!!! So much for my efforts at healthiness. Already, my pants feel a bit tighter. I will have to run far tomorrow, to make up for my food indiscretion. I think I am going to blame it on hormones.

Here is a monotype I reworked with pastel. I printed it just before the end of 2008. I don't think I've posted it yet, but if I have, I apologize! It measures 8 x 10 inches, and I titled it "Unforgettable Fire".

The Giveaway!!!

In my last post I mentioned that I had just reached over 10,000 visitors to my blog. In honor of that benchmark, and of the new year, I am giving away one of my monotypes. It measures 7 x 5 inches, and I called it "Royal Reptile". It will be UNFRAMED. It will come mounted to foamcore so that it doesn't get bent in the shipping process. All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment on this post. I will draw names next week on Wednesday, January 14th! Good luck, and thank you all for reading my blog!

Today was a beautiful sunny day, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. I do love warm weather! The hike with Mr. Pono this morning was a splendid one. I took some photos, but haven't loaded them on the computer yet. You will see them soon. The one I am posting is from last week.

The New Year Approaches

Today was another day spent creating new monotypes. I did not have a particularly productive day. Some days you just don't have the "spark". Today was like that for me. To be honest, I think today I had the "uglies". Everything I did seemed ugly. Which, of course, is not a nice feeling. I do think there might be one monotype that I like, but then again, maybe not. It's okay. I still am glad I got a chance to be in the studio. You never know what might come out of days like today. I have also noticed that sometimes at the end of the day I hate everything I did, but when I go back in a day or two, I find that the work is better than I thought. So maybe that's what will happen. I hope. I hope.

The holiday for me was fun. A little quiet. My husband is gone until January 7th, and no celebration is quite the same without him. I was fortunate to have friends who invited me to celebrate with them, so I wasn't completely alone. I don't mind being alone, actually. I get my best art done when I have alone time. It's good to have friends, too. I will never complain about friends!!! I think it's hard for others to understand how valuable my solitude is to me. I seem to need the quiet in order to really find the deep parts of my creativity. It is hard to explain, but I really have to climb into myself. (if that makes any sense)

Here is another monotype from last week. It measures 8 x 10 inches, and so far the title is "Three Gold Spheres". I might change the title.


I am not feeling eloquent, so I will put an end to this post. Maybe tomorrow the words (and the good art) will flow like water from a spring.

Monotype Printmaking

I am happy, because yesterday I got to spend the day with my friend Shant's printing press once more!!! I just love making monotypes. For those of you who are new to my blog, or don't know about monotypes, I will give you a quick overview. A monotype is essentially a cross between painting and printmaking. Each monotype is a one-of-a-kind original piece of art. The artist will paint on a non-porous surface, like a plexiglass plate. Once the plate looks the way the artist wants it to look, a sheet of dampened paper is placed on top of the plate. Pressure is applied to the paper and plate. (I use a printer's press, which you can see a photo of here.) I am currently using a smaller press than the one in the photo, but it is a similar idea. The pressure of the press causes textures and effects that would be impossible through paint alone. Once the print is dry, it can be reworked with pastel, watercolor or oil paint. I usually use pastel. The plate can be run through the press again, but much less ink will be on the plate, and the second print will be much lighter and very different from the first one. This second print is usually called a "ghost". Because the plate (or matrix) is not carved or etched, there are no editions like there would be with an etching or wood block. The word "mono" means "one".

What I love about monotypes is the spontaneity. It seems to suit my impulsive nature. Here is one of the prints I did yesterday. It is small, measuring only 5 x 7 inches. I titled it "Wheels".


The snow is pretty much completely melted now. Even though it was beautiful, I am not sad that it's gone. I guess maybe I got enough of snow while living in Colorado. I was told that snow is not that uncommon here, but what was unusual was that it lingered for so long. It took almost a week before it melted. I am waiting for my 80 degrees and sunshine to return. It was sunny today, but only reached 52 degrees. I am still wearing two sweaters in the house. I really have become a desert lizard, cold-blooded and in need of a warm rock to sit upon!

Even more monotypes

I am excited, because I get to go back to my friend Shant's house and use the press again tomorrow! I had fun Wednesday. I am exploring the desert dwellers in full, at the moment. I am sure it won't last, since nothing (besides the figure) really lasts with me. I guess I just like variety. Lots of variety.

Here is another one of the creatures who inspired me. The desert tortoise. If you remember, they briefly come out from underground to trudge around in late spring. (when they can feast on all of the flowers and green things.) Then, when the weather begins to really heat up, they burrow back down into the cool ground. I had taken a few photos of them when they were out, if you recall. This little monotype is from one of those photos. I cut the tortoise shape out of some cardboard (I drew it out first - I am not so good at free hand scissors.) The cardboard tortoise then gets placed on top of the plate after inking. I think this one might be my favorite.

I hope you all have a lovely, lovely weekend! I think I have the best blog readers!!! I DO have the best blog readers!

Monotypes with "critters"

Today I got another chance to use my friend Shant's printing press!!!! It was so much fun. I love monotype making SO MUCH!!! I feel like I just had a day with ice cream at the beach. A great day. Even if I didn't feel like I had as successful a day as the last day with the press, it was still enjoyable.

I am trying some new images with these new monotypes. I decided to incorporate some more recognizable shapes with this series. Yesterday, after my frustrating and unsuccessful search for my beloved watercolors, I sat down and drew some desert creatures on cardboard, and cut them out. Today, they were used to create monotypes. This one is cut from a coffee cup insulator (from Starbucks - thanks Kristi!). That is how this little lizard got such cool striped pajamas. I almost didn't print this lizard, but now I am so glad I did. Sometimes, you don't know how something is going to look, and you just have to ignore your inner critic (as J. Cameron calls it) and keep going.

I hope you all have a lovely evening. I am tired! More critters coming soon!

Art goes on

I can't believe it's been one entire week since I posted a blog! Sheesh. Here are the EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES. There. Got that out of the way.

The good news is that I did manage to drive up and use the printmaking press in Buena Vista on Thursday. It had begun to snow already, but I decided if I didn't go, I would be mad at myself, so I just went. As it turns out, that was a good decision, because it stopped snowing in the afternoon, and I drove back to Salida on clear roads. I had an okay day in the studio. It wasn't great. I was struggling, trying to mix the colors I had in my mind. Plus, I hadn't had time to make any more of my cardboard bugs, so I wasn't feeling particularly inspired. Despite all of this, I am still really happy that I went. I feel much better when I can create art.

It snowed all day yesterday, and I stayed in the house for the most part, cleaning. It was just in time, since I got a call at the end of the day for a showing this afternoon. So that worked out nicely. I am ready for someone to buy the house, now, so I can get back to doing art, and not worrying so much about a clean house. What a waste of energy that is. I mean, I get the floor swept and mopped, and Pono the dog comes in and puts those cute but muddy paw prints in a trail to the living room. AAARGHH.... If anyone is looking to buy a fixed up Victorian in Salida, CO, please contact me immediately!!!

Today, Colorado is making up for two cloudy, cold days with that brilliant blue sky and some much missed sunshine. So I have almost forgiven it. Almost.

I am now headed out to the Salida Galleries for Second Saturday. It's like a miniature Artwalk the galleries have once a month. I am enjoying this event so much more as a spectator, than as a gallery owner! Yay!!! I get to see new art, talk to friends, and eat some nibblie food, all with no preparation. It is a vast improvement to being the owner of Cool Mountain Art, my recently closed gallery here in Salida (for those of you who don't know about this.)

I will leave you with another one of the "bug" monotypes from the last printing session.