First Impressions - National Printmaking Exhibition

I'm very pleased to report that I have had a print accepted to this National Printmaking Exhibition which opens on the 9th October and runs for a month.

It's a wonderful opportunity to exhibit alongside many very talented and skilled artists. 

Thanks to the Mairangi Arts Centre for the opportunity.

Group Printmaking Exhibition

Less than a week now til our group printmaking exhibition. 

If you are in town, come along.

Artworks are for sale.

Perhaps a chance for some early Christmas shopping? 

Drinks, nibbles, live music and LOTS of art.

The Trust Awards Show also opens on the Corban Estate on Thursday 3rd so make an evening of it.

Woodblock printing - on a bigger scale

As I prepare work for a group printmaking exhibition I have wanted to create work of a varied nature while still keeping to the theme of my current work which is to do with the ebb and flow of the tides and the detritus left behind in rock pools. I got this idea that some of the imagery I had been using, such as the seaweed pods and feathers, would look interesting printed on sheer fabric that was able to move in a breeze.

I started by carving large woodblocks on any largish "scraps" of MDF (customwood) I could find in the workshop. I used woodcutting chisels, a drill press and finally a scroll saw to cut out the shapes.To give an idea of scale, the feather is about 50cm long.

I printed the blocks onto sheer voile layed out across my lounge floor. Using water-based inks, I would ink up the block, position it, then stand on it to press it. I had an idea of composition and layout before I started but it more or less just developed as I worked. I have layered up multiple prints, printed onto both sides of the fabric and mixed subtle colour changes to attempt to portray an illusion of depth.

I suspect that this may be very addictive as it was exciting to see the design evolve and it was certainly an interesting way of working to be printing on both sides of a substrate. All I can say is "watch this space."

100 Days project - mission accomplished!

My completed Pocket sized visual diary.

This year's 100 day project started way back on June 7th and finished on September 14th (yesterday) with a show which was open to the public until Sunday afternoon. It was fantastic meeting other 100-dayers and sharing our tales of highs and lows. It was amazing to see how much creativity there was going on in the community from people of all ages and abilities. There were the ultra polished, very professional projects by graphic artists and photographers, through to family projects and also the most endearing projects completed by children. Everyone agreed that it was a wonderful experience to take part in and although it required a lot of stamina and commitment, the sense of achievement was great. I'm sure everyone has learnt a little something more about themselves and their abilities and for many it will be a stepping stone to more challenges. Although everyone was heaving a huge sigh of relief that it was over, the conversations didn't take long til someone uttered the words "next time I'm going to...." .... yeah, nah.... we'll see.....

You can view my earlier posts on my 100 Days Project, 2013 HERE.

Here are few highlights of the last few days...

Day 87: The Barrel Store - our venue for a print group exhibition

Day 96: Rock pools - a current fascination.

Day 90: spent framing works for an upcoming exhibition.

Day 98: Puss sitting up at the table opposite me.

Day 99: RIP little pen, you served me well.

Day 100: The End.

Mermaid spoons

This is my response to the lovely wee Mermaid spoons I saw online on Frankie Magazine a while ago.My window sills and decks are strewn with many beach combing treasures that follow me home so I'm wrapped to find a creative outlet to use them.

100 Days - Day 85, 15 days to go!

As I come to the end of the 100 Days project I'm thinking about what I have gained from the experience and what I might do if I was to do it again. I'm already planning a few shorter projects to do on my own because it's a great way to get things happening and to achieve a particular task.

So, as the project draws to an end - only 15 days to go - here are my thoughts on an insight I have gained from participating in this project:

One of the reasons I wanted to be disciplined to draw everyday is because, having returned to my arts practice after a long break, I have wanted to get back to doing some illustration work and I wanted to develop my own style and polish my skills. I haven't drawn much at all for a long time so I was feeling very rusty and doubtful.  Very early on in the project however, when I had completed perhaps 2 or 3 pages, I shared my book with others at an artists' network meeting and the feedback I received made me realise that I did, in fact, already have a "style" to my work. It also made me appreciate and accept (at long last) that no matter how I might try or think otherwise, I still have an intense attention to detail. It's how I work, it's what I do. I suddenly realised "why fight it? Just accept it and make the most of it."

So, my insight was of acceptance of my way of working.

You can view my earlier post on this project HERE.

A number of us will be exhibiting our projects down at Britomart in Auckland City on Day 100, September 14th 6 -10pm. It will also be open for viewing on Sunday 15th until 4pm.

In the meantime here are a few of my highlights since Day 50.

Day 51

Day 57

Day 59

Day 69

Day 72

Day 74

Day 80

Day 81

Day 84

Kitchen Lithography

I came across this video on the website Printeresting on facebook recently and thought I'd give it a whirl. It describes how to use items from your kitchen to create lithography-type prints. How cool would that be?! I love the qualities of lithography but have never been able to try it for real.

The discussion below the video helps to puzzle out what some of the materials are as the video has no narration. One of the respondents Inkteraction generously provided their English translation of the materials and so here's what I did, making a few simplifications and using products at hand in NZ:

Gather materials: Plastic cutting mat (unused), aluminium foil, white vinegar, cola, vegetable oil, paper towels, chinagraph pencil, sellotape

Sellotape the foil to the plastic cutting mat and smooth it out.
Wipe the foil down with the white vinegar to clean it.
BEWARE any greasy fingerprints WILL print.
Draw your image onto the foil with a chinagraph pencil.
Hold the plate over the sink and pour over the cola, allowing it to sit for about 7 seconds to etch into the foil.
Rinse under cold water.

Clean the chinagraph pencil away using the vegetable oil on a paper towel.
Wet the plate with a damp towel.
Your image should show up as the oil repels the water from the areas of your drawing.

Using oil-based printing ink and keeping the plate wet with water, roll out the ink thinly and ink up.
This is where you will see any extra greasy finger prints that you left behind!

With the press set tightly, print on a smooth paper - I have just used cartridge paper here.
If you don't have access to a press you can print by using the back of a spoon to burnish the back of your paper.

The print shows up the lovely grainy textures of the drawing - just like grown-up's lithograhy without the massive stone. Give it a go! 

Paintings - a selection

Cook's Bach, Rangitoto Island
Our Honeymoon suite (nfs)
2004, 635 x 850mm, acrylic on canvas

Nikau I,
Matheson's Bay, Leigh (sold)
2007, 720 x 960mm, acrylic on canvas

Pakiri Storm (sold)
2007, 630 x 430mm, acrylic on canvas

These Ancient Hills I
Rangitikei Hills (nfs)
2008, 630 x 440mm, acrylic on canvas

These Ancient Hills II
Rangitikei Hills (nfs)
2008, 630 x 440mm, acrylic on canvas

Duders Regional Park    $800

2004,   1225mm x 825mm, acrylic on canvas

Shadow Paintings

Although I am no longer painting shadows I am still "stopped in my tracks" when I chance upon a particularly fine display. Anyone in my company at the time of my ooohing and aaaahing and grabbing for the camera, seems to raise an eyebrow and smile at me with that "what is she on about" kind of look. Never mind, I simply see the transient beauty of the carpet laid out at our feet and I merely want to capture it so it can be savoured at leisure. Firstly, I'm drawn to the patterns, then to the inky velvety depths of the shadows and the contrasts of the acid highlights.

Generally I like to prepare my canvas or board with a coloured base coat as I like to allow it to peak through, adding to the tapestry-like richness of colour. When the painting uses a lot of green I like to use red as a base coat as I love the way it makes the greens "sing" when layered on top.

Cornwall Park (nfs)
2004, 825 x 675mm, acrylic on canvas

Coyle Park (sold)
2004, 750 x 170mm, acrylic on board

Coyle Park Shadows (nfs)
2005, 825 x 675mm, acrylic on canvas

Pt Chevalier Beach (sold)
2005, 1055 x 815mm, acrylic on canvas

Mt Eden (sold)
2006, 905 x 580mm, acrylic on canvas

 I was totally enchanted by the giant moth taking flight from the crater of Mt Eden while out walking one day. Didn't anyone else see it?

It's a Printing Press!

It works!

I am making-do with a laminated hardboard bed for now and I'm very happy with the results I'm getting so far. I've trialled it with printing a plexi-plate dry point with chine colle added and have also just given it a whirl with a "Kitchen Lithography" technique using aluminium foil and a chinagraph pencil drawing. 

Inked up plexi-plate with collage elements laid on ready to print.

Trial print using "Kitchen Lithography" technique.