Cool weather approaching

At least that's the rumor. I have to admit that I am NOT looking forward to cooler weather. Mainly because I hate being cold, and in the winter I am always cold. Cooler weather means eventually cold (for me) weather, and has me in a state. Such a state, that I drank an extra cup of hot tea this morning in preparation, bought two pairs of extremely fuzzy socks, more boxes of hot tea at the store, and has me looking at a possible new blanket purchase. And it still got up to 88 degrees (F) today. I am one of those freaks who likes the house to be right about 78 or 80 degrees. When it dips down too close to 70 degrees in the house, I am reaching for a sweater and a pair of slippers. You may think I am exaggerating, so if you need confirmation on this, just ask my husband. I drive him crazy once the cold winter sets in, because I complain a lot and spend most of my time sitting next to the space heater. Please don't let it get cold too soon. Thanks.

Despite my tendency to keep my nose pointed down much of the time while walking outside, I have not seen any more tarantulas or snakes lately. I have noticed fresh new snake tracks, etching their way across our sandy dirt road. I look near the bushes where the tracks disappear, but no snake. What I have found about fun desert encounters of the creepy critter kind is that they only occur when you are least expecting it. Perhaps that is why so many times we are startled by the random slithering snake or fuzzy tarantula. I can't explain it. All I know is that I am often hoping for an encounter. I am not what you would call a girly girl. You know, the kind of girl who screams at snakes and lizards. Having said that, I wouldn't call myself brave, either. Certainly, I have been startled by the occasional coiled rattlesnake on the trail I am running down. I guess maybe it stems from all those years I spent as a youngster, dressed in black, strange hair, listening to music about vampires, snakes, lizards and other things that most normal people are repelled by. I think I have always felt somewhat repelling, myself, and so I recognize a bit of myself in these desert denizens. Whatever it is, I am fascinated by this desert, and eternally impressed with ANY creature that can call this place home.

I leave you with one more of the new birds. This one, called "Speak Softly" is an 8 x 10 inch, hand pulled monotype. Even more are lined up, drying, waiting to be scanned and shared with you, my dear blog readers.

Wednesday already?

Time seems to be passing me by a little too quickly. Especially since I had every intention of posting on this blog more often!!! Sheesh!

The day before yesterday, I attempted to print larger size monotypes at home using the method I described in my previous post. It was completely unsuccessful. I just can't seem to get enough pressure to achieve the results I want - which is the deep, saturated color I love. I will have to experiment some more to see how I can improve my technique.

I have been running in the morning with Mr. Pono, rather than walking. That is probably one reason why I am not posting so much. When I walk, I am going at a slow enough pace to notice the small things I like to photograph - dried flower stalks, shadows of plants, etc. Interesting how something as simple as a run can change things so much! The running is good for my stress levels, and of course my waistline! So I am not ready to give it up entirely. Maybe I can alternate running and walking more often, so I can supply you with the desert photos we have come to love.

Little bits of green are beginning to show themselves. It is a marvel to me, that green things pop up in JANUARY, since Colorado would not be showing any green for months still!!! Even though the past couple of days have been quite cold and windy, it is still warm enough that these little green plants are growing. There is nothing as comforting as seeing green plants, for it is a sure sign that spring approaches. Not to mention a sign that we have gotten enough moisture for plants to grow, which is always a concern here!



Here is a new monotype, printed at home. This one I printed on an off-white paper, it measures 8 x 10 inches, and I titled it "Desert Symphony".

Monotype Printmaking at home

Several of you have asked about a step by step description of my process creating monotypes at home, using my rolling pin. So today, while I printed new monotypes, I tried to remember to take some photos of the process. Hopefully, this will clarify a few things for you. It's really not that hard, and I am sure anyone could do this at home, after a little bit of experimentation.

The first step is to paint your plate. I use plexiglass plates, that I got from Dick Blick. The one in this demo measures 8 x 10 inches. I use Charbonnel etching inks, which are oil based, and really gorgeous. I actually apply the ink with a brayer, mostly, except I forgot to take a photo of that part. I spend quite a bit of time, mixing colors and preparing my plate. I experiment a LOT! You can also apply ink to the whole plate and then use a cloth (or Q-tip or whatever) to remove ink. Once you get the plate looking the way you want it to look, you are ready to try printing it!

I have been printing in the kitchen, where there is more room. I use my cutting mat to print on, so I can make use of the grid. That way I can be sure the paper is centered over the plate. First, I wipe the edges of the plate clean (carefully). Then, I set the plate on my cutting mat. I use printmaking paper (BFK rives). I dampen the paper using a spray bottle filled with water. This is something I do over the sink, but I didn't take a photo of that. I squirt both sides pretty well, and then blot the excess water off using paper towels. Once I have dampened the paper, I carefully lay it over the inked plate. Then, I use my hands to press the paper down onto the plate, rubbing along the edges of the plate. I do this to prevent the paper from sliding when I apply pressure. I first use the baren and rub back and forth first horizontally and then vertically. While I rub with the baren, I hold onto the paper to keep it from sliding. I have found that if I put a piece of tissue paper over the top of my paper, it keeps the paper from being rubbed off, and also keeps the back of the print clean.

Next, I take the rolling pin. I place the rolling pin in the center of the paper and roll out. I roll the pin in the same way, horizontally and vertically. I am trying to get as much pressure as I can, and also trying for even pressure. I go over the paper with both the baren and the rolling pin several times. Once my arms get tired, I am ready to lift the paper and see the results! This is the fun part. What I have discovered is that the monotypes I pull by hand, using the above method, are much "grainier" than the ones I pull using a printing press. You can see for yourselves. As Robyn discovered, the jackrabbit I did two posts ago was printed using a press. The lizard from Friday was printed using the wooden spoon and pvc pipe.


So there you have it!!! That is how I have been creating monotypes at home without a press. I hope this gave you a clearer idea of my process now. There are many different kinds of printmaking, but what I like about monotypes is that each one is unique, an original one-of-a-kind. Most other types of printmaking will give you several prints of the same image. So far, monotypes are the only kind of printmaking I have done. I am hoping to try some of the other kinds. For now, I am loving these monotypes!

Happy Friday

I keep telling myself to post on my blog more often, but as you can see, the thought is somehow not manifesting into actual postings. No one knows why. I am sure this recent silence will pass eventually, but for now, I am taking the advice of a dear friend, emmet, and making an effort to "be kind to myself". After all, there is only so much one can do in a day.

I have been busy!!! This past week, I decided to experiment with creating monotypes without a printmaking press. As some of you may remember from earlier posts, I do not have a press of my own, but have been fortunate to have the use of a press owned by a friend here in Joshua Tree. I am grateful for the generosity Shant has shown in regard to his press, but I also felt like I needed to have another option. My first try was to use a wooden spoon and a brayer to apply pressure to the paper and the inked plate. (for those of you who don't know, a brayer is a small roller that can be used to apply ink to a printmaking plate.) That gave OKAY results, but I found that the wooden spoon was rubbing off the wet paper, and it also left marks. Plus, I wasn't really getting enough pressure for the results I wanted. Then, I tried a small piece of plastic pvc pipe, and rolled it over the paper and plate. That actually was better, but after a day of creating prints this way, I woke up the next morning and found that my hands were really sore!!! Never mind my arms, which I was using to try to get as much pressure as I could. So on the second day, I decided to use a rolling pin!!! Yes, just a regular old kitchen rolling pin like what your mother used to roll out a pie crust. That gave me the best results.

After using a printmaking press for so long, I am a little spoiled. I do think the results are the best with a press, at least for what I have been wanting to do. However, I am excited that I have found another way to create monotypes. Here is one of the new monotypes I did with the wooden spoon and brayer method.



I also wanted to give kudos here on my blog to a friend of mine, Mavis Penney. She has just started a "painting a day" blog, with some lovely watercolor paintings of the Labrador coast. Stop on over and have a look! (just click on her name)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Desert Mistletoe

I realize that I haven't been much of a blogger lately. Sorry! I guess I just haven't felt much like being on the computer. The good news is that I have been in the studio, so you will have images of new art coming very soon. Hopefully, I will also become more frequent with my blog posts.

Here is one new monotype, that I created just before the holidays hit full force. It isn't my favorite one, but I do like things about it, and I think the jackrabbit turned out pretty well. I drew the rabbit onto a piece of cardboard, then I cut it out. After I inked the plate, I inked the rabbit and placed him (her?) on top! I would like the jackrabbits better if they didn't eat every darn plant in my yard!!!

I leave you with another photograph of desert mistletoe, or phoradendron californicum. It is living off of a cat's claw acacia. I remember last spring, it was one of the first things to bloom, and the blossoms have the most beautiful fragrance. The bees love it! If you want to read just a bit more about it, click here. I tried to get a close up shot for you, but all of the close ups I took were blurry. Breathing too hard from running, I guess! I'll try again, but not tomorrow. Tomorrow I am going to watch our new president get inaugurated!!!