Sunday, August 31, 2008

Setting the Bar (for myself) a Bit Higher


You've seen this image before.
I created this design as a needlepoint about four years ago and then recreated it as a linoleum block relief print. It's one of the first images that I printed on my press.

A few months ago, a friend of mine (we'll call him S.R.) implied that he was slightly disappointed with my prints that he had seen in the Southern Roots exhibition. He said that he had expected to see something slightly different. I was a bit shocked by his comment but realized that he had a good point. I entered the juried art festival circuit in October 2006. It's now 2008 and although I am not lacking in technical proficiency or new imagery, I haven't pushed myself. I've become a bit comfortable. Maybe too comfortable. My prints are basically all the same: 5 x 7 or 9 x 12, double matted and framed in black.

Okay, so S.R. challenged me. . . and I've accepted the challenge. This print -shown- is one of three blocks that I cut and printed this month. And they're large!! I hand-printed (meaning that I had to use a baren to apply pressure to create the impression) the images. Printing 12 x 18 has taken me out of my comfort zone. But believe it or not I like the larger size. . . a lot! Rubbing the baren over the back of the paper transfers the pigment from the inked block to the paper. I'm acting as a human printing press! The energy to produce the perfect print has to come from me! Imagine that. It's very physical and I've discovered that I really don't mind that the finished prints are not stark, opaque black. I printed on paper with a lot of tooth, initially, and the paper did not take the ink as smoothly, but left some interesting textures.

I'm very pleased with my large prints. I've also stepped outside the box and I've selected a different type of frame. Silver. Lovely.

Labels: , ,

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Fall 2008 Schedule

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

A Fabulous Find



I love this McCoy cookie jar!

No chips or hairline cracks. Can you believe it?!! I found it at a local thrift store last weekend. $2.39.

Okay, so the lid is missing. Do I care? Nope. The shape and the color are beautiful. This little prize will stand on a shelf in my studio.

Labels: , ,

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Art Festival Schedule Update

Those of you who have looked at my web site have discovered that my art festival schedule for this season is not posted. Don't ask why. Here is my schedule for the next few months:

August 6 - September 13th
NEEDLEPOINT - "A Point to Remember"
Birmingham Public Library, 4th Floor Gallery

August 4 - September 3rd
Hoover Public Library
Bluff Park Art Show Preview

September 5 - 6th
ArtWalk
I'll be located at Brantley Engineering 2401 2nd Avenue North.

September 7th
Montgomery Art Guild Regions Bank Show
Opening reception 12 Noon-3pm

October 4th
Bluff Park Art Show
Always the First Saturday of October!

October 18 - 19th Kentuck Festival of the Arts***
I am on the official "wait" list having made the cut for my category.
Still waiting to be contacted for participation.

November 7th - December 19th
Cobb Lane Art Gallery
Opening reception November 7th, 5-8pm

December 5 - 7th / Linoleum Block Printing Class
Alabama Folk School at Camp McDowell, Nauvoo


That's it for now. Keep checking my blog for updates.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,