IPE- International Print Exchange - Green Door Printmaking Studio

My edition of 10 prints ready to send to the UK. Drypoint on shaped plate.
I wanted to create a small piece of NZ to send out into the world
hence the Pohutukawa flower/ leaf. 

As a result of a link that printmaker Aine Scannell shared on G+ I set myself the challenge of taking part in Green Door Printmaking Studio's International Print Exchange this year. It was a challenge for me because I am relatively new to printmaking, I had never completed a full edition of prints and, as there were some fairly strict requirements, I felt it would be a good exercise to jump start my printmaking practice. 

(Well, it worked! I've just had my first group print exhibition, have another print in a national NZ printmaking exhibition and next year is filling up with exhibition bookings.)

The prints were due to arrive in the UK by the end of August and we received our exchanged prints just a couple of weeks later, beautifully packaged and presented. 

The package arrived beautifully presented: screen printed box,  sealed with a sticker,
inside: a little badge, a personalised booklet (containing info about our exchanged
prints and where our prints went, a list of all the artist who took part
and information about which print processes were used), and the prints were
in a printed envelope, wrapped in acid free tissue (provided by each artist.)

A record of the prints I received. Prints came from Taiwan, UK and USA.

Clock-wise from top left: "Urban Landscape" by Hyun-Jin Kim, Taiwan;
"Fungi" by Chrissy Stangroom, UK; "Jordan" by Nancy Power, UK; "Happy Tails" by Benjamin Gross, USA.

Clock-wise from top left: "Elephants Dream" by Harriet Brigdale, UK;
"Mr Goose & his friends" by Kirsty Taylor, UK;
"Complicated Shadows" by Diane Sandall, USA;
"Dream Ride" by Eleonora Amici, UK.

These are the artists who received my prints, in the UK, USA and Australia.

Although it cost a bit to put it all together and post from the opposite side of the world, receiving the beautiful prints and seeing my print on-line in the exhibition (on the other side of the world), it was so worth it.

The print exhibition. (That's my print, second from the right on the bottom row.)

Thank you Green Door Studio!!

Exhibition Poster

Group Exhibition - Waitakere Printers Ink in The Barrel Store

The Barrel Store

Eight printmakers from the community arts group WaitakerePrinters Ink exhibited their artworks at the refurbished Barrel Store at Corbans Estate Arts Centre last weekend. 

Based at Corbans Estate in Henderson, Waitakere Printers Ink was set up in 2010 by artist Ruby Oakley with funding from Creative Communities.  After participating in two summer schools at the Arts Centre she recognised there was a need for somewhere for keen printmakers to meet and to have access to a quality printmaking press, a specialist piece of equipment few artists can afford.

Membership comprises of a diverse mix of like-minded people from all over Auckland. On average six to eight members gather each month to use the facilities in a supportive environment of shared interest.

This year’s exhibition showcased the work of Alicia Poultney, Diane Charraz, Lorraine Vickery, Lynn Bryant, Ruby Oakley, ToniHartill Tracy Singer and Val Cuthbert. A wide variety of printmaking techniques was on display including, but not limited to, drypoint, etching, lino cut, wood block, chine colle, collograph, solarplate, screenpint, lithography and monoprint techniques.

A key goal of the group is to promote printmaking as an art form. Each of the artists have their own unique perspective yet they all share the excitement that printmaking provides. Although hard work it was an entirely fun experience and a great chance to get to know each other better. As a result of how well the event ran, we are already making bookings for several exhibitions next year!

The exhibition opened on Thursday 3^rd October, and was open daily until Sunday 6^th October.

Visit the Waitakere Printers Ink Facebook page to stay in touch with further events and to view more of their work.

The blank canvas at 9am on set-up day

One difficulty with the venue is the lack of lighting
but we solved this with borrowed spots.

A slideshow of more of our work, and of our print group
in action, ran throughout the exhibition.

 "Between the Tides" series - THartill gelatine monoprints

Rockpools - "Softly Sleeping" and "Biding Time"
- THartill drypoints

 "In and out of the Garden"
-  THartill gelatine monoprints

 "Beneath the Tides" series - THartill drypoint, chine colle,
collage, hand colouring, mixed media.

"Remains",  "Residue" and "Fragments"- THartill drypoint,
chine colle with mixed media

"Ebb and Flow" - THartill woodblock prints on voile,
4 metres long

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