Wednesday’s woodengraver …
I recently learned about Simon Brett, who is a is an artist, printmaker and a book illustrator, while reading Anne Hayward’s book; who recommended his Wood engraving ; how to do it. While we didn’t have a copy in the library (I have bought one since) But I did find some examples of his work that I enjoyed and they will I hope will inspire me to make prints!
Images from
A tale of two benches illustrated with wood engravings by Robert Gibbings and Simon Brett.
Painter & poet : three poems by U.A. Fanthorpe; wood-engravings by Simon Brett.
Twelve months of a year : poems by Joy Finzi ; with wood engravings by Simon Brett.
Becky says things about … reasons to be cheerful
This made my day after 5 months of rubbish … I will dance in the Reading Room this afty xxxx
Oh, brave Listener. We’ve all had a bit of a rough time recently.
There are several reasons why we are all feeling a bit peeved, irked, and somewhat vexed:
1) It is February. February is an obnoxiously depressing month, it knows it, and it doesn’t care. February is insufferable.
2) We are still paying off our Christmas credit card bills. This is intolerable.
3) Our New Year’s resolution diet and exercise regimes have failed miserably and we are eating more doughnuts, peanut butter, and full fat milk than ever before to cope with the depression of February and Christmas credit card bills.
4) The couples amongst us have had a relationship-busting argument on Valentine’s Day, and the singletons amongst us have just been reminded that they are SINGLE and ALONE and destined to remain that way for the rest of their sorry lives.
5) There is nothing to look forward…
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Weekly Photo Challenge
I was very excited this week when I learned about the weekly challenge. It was a good opportunity for me to show the world my recent ‘work of art.’ Sadly, (its a long story) it didn’t work out as I hoped so I am heading back to the drawing board.
However, we can always rely on our children to come up with a unique piece and I didn’t have to look far for this. My daughter made this around 13 years ago as a birthday gift to me. It is a silk bag trimmed with beads to keep trinkets in; while it is a little passed its sell by date; it still does a good job. In my opinion a perfect work of art.
Monday … A question
Why is it that joyous encounters and achievements fade into insignificance when an insignificant failure looms heavy and becomes a horrible monster. This weekend, some nice things happened; two were especially successful. I booked a return train ticket to Newcastle with a tidy reduction; enough to pay for Bed and Breakfast, so that I can attend a class with a notable wood engraver in June.
Then, I managed to fit a new ribbon on my ancient manual typewriter. Although I had instructions, it was a messy and awkward task that I did successfully.
However, over the last two weeks I have been attempting to do a lino print with multiple colours. I was wasn’t going to be easy
(neither, I might add were the other tests … I had already failed miserably to buy a ticket to Newcastle on line the previous day and typewriters are old!)
I carefully followed the instructions and waited patiently while each layer of ink dried. This week I added the 3rd and 4th colours Already I was noticing some difficulties and made careful notes for next time. But rather than be rational and listening to all the right responses; like ‘its is a steep learning curve,’ ‘you will do better next time’ etc. etc. I am mortified at the result. Why is that?
Silent Sunday
Saturday …
This is today’s question ‘How many cups of tea does it take to fit a typewriter ribbon?’
I will let you know!
Friday Snapshot from the Museum
Since taking an interest in printmaking I have looked more closely at ‘paintings’ and I had not realised a picture that I pass by daily here at the Museum of English Rural Life is an engraving by Andrew Davidson. It depicts the contrasting landscape of the 1850s with that of the 1950s. It really is a ‘work of art’ and well worth a visit when in the area.
Alphabe Thursday is for Zangar (verdigris) or green!
Z is for Zangar Urdu for verdigris as described by Cennino as ‘lovely to the eye but doesn’t last’. Leonardo da Vinci a century later was worried that ‘it vanishes into thin air if not varnished quickly’. There also was another problem with the paint, like white lead, verdigris was a mortal enemy. It was made rather like white lead but the metal suspended over the vinegar was copper after a while the combination would produce a poisonous green deposit. It was a often called Van Eyck green because the Flemish master used it often and successfully. Unlike the Italians, namely Leonardo whose verdigris blackened as Cennini warned.
The Flemish artists used a varnish on the paint to preserve it and it has indeed lasted centuries. As seen in in Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Marriage
Wednesdays Wood engraver
I have a lovely home and garden and I look forward to a day when I can spend a little bit more time in both. Not necessarily doing gardening or housework but just enjoying them. Of course there will be degree of housekeeping but mostly I want to watch and create; particularly in the garden. Even when the weather is inclement I need not even venture out; I can see the extent of my garden from my kitchen window and my back door also has a pleasant view.
I will not retire fully, I hope straight away, rather reduce my hours, as I still enjoy my work and it is rich source for my creativity at home.
This week I came across a little book in the Museum Bookshop; a prime example of the things that turn up to whet my appetite and provide fodder for my blog.
The book published by Little Toller Books in 2010 (first published in 1935) called Four Hedges by Clare Leighton (1898-1989) and introduced by Carol Klein. For me, this is a double (or more) delight because Carol Klein, the Gardener’s World presenter is also inspirational in my garden. Clare Leighton was one of the finest wood engravers of the 20th century. In the 1930’s she settled in the countryside with her long-term partner Henry Noel Brailsford the political journalist. Her garden became her passion; planting and tending trees, vegetables and flowers. While observing the seasonal changes in the garden she grew familiar with its wildlife and character. Forging a relationship which went on to fed her work as an artist and contributed to the happiest years of her life. I cannot pretend that my back yard in the centre of Reading can compare with Clare Leighton’s garden deep in the Chiltern Hills but I hope I will find endless images to sketch and engrave.
Clare Leighton was born in London and studied in Brighton, Slade and Central schools of art. Travel in Europe nurtured an empathy for rural workers and their culture reflected in her work. Although she was an accomplished writer, designer and artist she was best known as a wood engraver who inspired a revival of the craft in Britain and North America. She illustrated books by Thomas Hardy, Gilbert White and Henry David Thoreau as well as her own Four hedges. Country matters, The farmer’s year and Southern Harvest. She also created designs for Wedgewood and several stained glass windows for churches in New England. In 1939 she emigrated to America and settled in North Carolina where she taught at the Duke University and was elected to the National Academy. Her work is held in public collections around the world, including the British Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Weekly Photo Challenge on the move
I cycle and have done all my life; I like walking but for quickness my bike is my preferred mode of movement. I have owned only a handful of bikes (Strange expression for something as large as a bicycle) in all those years; I have kept them in good repair and they have been reliable and true. However I have not been so carefull about their appearance; never a wash, polish or protection from the weather.
I have been remiss and I am not proud of this. I always promise myself to be attentive to the bike cosmetically but I fail miserably
Nonetheless I do admire those who do look after their trusty friend …
Coat Hanger Doll's House 