At the weekend …

This weekend I attended an Open Studio Workshop. I was hoping to learn ‘other’ printing skills.  I am a printmaker and fairly accomplished at lino and wood cutting. Unfortunately; I am of a generation not used to playing in the learning environment. Being the top of the class is important;  getting ‘E’ for effort is not an option. Of course, I am a ‘grownup’ now and see the joys of play and celebrate the change in the school room. So I do not want to return to those days and do have fun!

Sadly, though in some situations I do return to that sad and austere place and struggle to lighten up. Outwardly I look upbeat and in control but inwardly my soul belies the smiling face.

It would be easy for me to blame the teacher, the tools, even the surroundings, the classroom was gatehouse and guard room, the toilet and kitchen and print room had been prison cells of Block Barracks, built in the same period as my old school, in the early 1900s.

Since, it was no longer used in this way and becoming a designated location for artists and a gallery, it had been a place for homeless people.

So there are reasons to feel uncomfortable but they were not to blame.

It is me! 

So the way forward; how can I salvage the resultant muddy mess.   I used acrylic paint and polystyrene prints, sponge rollers, and cardboard stencils (that moved)

How do I hold them in place with getting unwanted  ‘other’ prints?

If I were to put these on to a background … what would I use?

I am in awe of the those who use  mix media and eager to learn … are there well practiced methods or are they all the results of happy accidents?