Monday … Autumn colours
Autumn colours glow
gold, magenta cyan blue
with indian ink
It seems darkness and inclement weather will prevent me from taking an early Sunday morning walk to gather images for my Monday blog post. So I thought I would look back at previous photographs and create some prints; using standard pencil erasers and ink.
The result is for me disappointing! but I will persevere and practice!
Silent Sunday
Saturday … exposure!
After a relative success at last Sunday’s Bookface; where I exhibited almost my entire works; which was my first mistake. Not the exhibition of course, that was a perfect platform where I learned much and ready to put some lessons into practice. No! sadly I didn’t keep back any items to post later; for example today.
I am not sure I am ready to exhibit again!
I spent this week working on print that I began last week in black on white. Now I wanted to add coloured ink. Little did I know how ‘stretching’ this would be, not only because I wanted to use four colours, I also wanted a larger image using 4 erasers (=8 in all for different inks) There were other implications, such as perspective, light and shade, depth of vision etc.
All of which went a little (or a lot) awry!
As my little still life in lamplight should have appeared to be on a table top, instead it has landed in the desert as result the scene is rather surreal.
Nonetheless I like it and I don’t expect Picasso will get excited either way!!
Friday’s Library Snapshot
Since I have ‘become’ a print maker I would like to make a bookplate even only for own use. So during my lunch break yesterday I found some nice examples and some ideas that I can play with.
I was surprised to find such a range of style and subject; produced by wood cut, lino cut, metal engraving, etching, lithography, decorative typography, aquatint and now modern forms of digital reproduction.
They are fine works of art on a small scale.
Further reading and images from:-
A guide to the printed work of Jessie M King by Colin White, 2007
The book of bookplates Volumes 1&2, 1900,1901
A treasury of bookplates from Renaissance to the present by Fridolf Johnson, 1977
The book plate journal Autumn 2012
Alphabe Thursday V is for Vesalius
Unashamedly, I have written about Andreas Vesalius before. Born in Belgium 1514 he was an anatomist, physician , and author of one of the most influential books on human anatomy De humani corporis fabrica. 1543; which is one of our treasured tomes here at the library.
Vesalius is often referred to as the founder of modern human anatomy. He was professor at the University of Padua and later became Imperial physician at the court of Emperor Charles V.
Once year we have students from local schools come to Special Collections to do work experience. If they have been studying the history of science, an opportunity to see an original copy of Vesalius’ work is always welcomed. Although I do not particularly ‘enjoy’ some of the explicit drawings as much as they do!
Wednesday’s Wise Woman
Yesterday we celebrated Ada Lovelace day; an international day celebrating the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Augusta Ada King , Countess of Lovelace (1815-1852) was born Augusta Ada Byron commonly known as Ada Lovelace. She was an English mathematician and writer famously known for her contribution to Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose-computer; the analytical engine. Her notes on the engine include what is recognised as the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine. As a result she is often described as the world’s first computer programmer.
I have read a little about her and it is not clear how it was that she become so interested in mathematics and for it to go on to dominate her adult life and then for her to make such a mark in history.
It would appear that as girl she suffered prolonged illness and when education for girls was not considered necessary.
I came a across a book that perhaps would have been on the school room shelf in the 19th century called The young lady’s book : a manual of elegant recreations, arts, sciences and accomplishments edited by distinguished professors; published 1859. perhaps read by Ada’s daughters.
The preface states that “The work was first published nearly twenty years ago, with about half of its present number of woodcuts, at one guinea … even at that high price,six editions in as many years were published. Since then it has been allowed to remain out of print .
While it lists geology, mineralogy, conchology, entomology. ornithology, music, painting, embroidery, dancing, archery, moral deportment, botany, toilet and costume, escritoire, riding and photography; mathematics and physics were not mentioned.
Weekly photo challenge … Infinite
Here I am in my favourite cafe trying to write something profound for this weeks prompt! After much thought and gazing at myself [gazing at myself] I decide there are many people more able to explain the need for end of life and infinite death.
However, I have found ways to alleviate the frustration a cup of coffee and a chunk of cake often helps.
Yesterday at the Bookface at Rising Sun Arts Centre
I didn’t go for my usual walk yesterday; I had too much on my mind. It was raining, so instead I quickly took a photograph of the Fushia in the garden that is particularly beautiful at the moment, for Silent Sunday.
Then I began preparing for the day ahead; or rather adding the finishing touches. I have been planning for Bookface at the Rising Sun Art Centre for the last 3 weeks and now today was the day. Saturday, I had just organised the outfit, hat and scarf and flowers; I had even found time to do yet another print.
It was now just a matter of packing the bags.
I need not have worried although the weather was poor it didn’t dampen my spirits or prevent visitors to the Arts Centre. I soon realised while I was a new girl and among some very experienced book ‘exhibitors’ they were supportive and kind.
It was a good day and I learned much and have now a package of good ideas for the future and development of my new found creativity!!
Silent Sunday
Saturday … a hunt for toadstools and mushrooms.
I don’t get too excited about the countryside; never quite got it! I suppose it relates back to my childhood in the post war days; when we lived close to nature. We were as children exposed to the elements with its hardship and discomfort; not always seeing the colour and the glory.
Of course know I have developed a liking towards rural things and can even wax lyrical about trees, birds, and fields.
Except mushrooms and toadstools; I have seen them growing in dank dark places; in corners of woods and fields. I have even picked some and eaten them for breakfast and they are delicious. But, I have never seem them as pretty as those seen in picture books. I have rarely seen more than one or two in a clump never in a pretty circle. I saw one last week and photographed it but it was not much more than a beige blob. I have seen fungi but that also doesn’t exude aesthetic pleasure. So you can imagine I have given up looking for pixies and fairies dancing around looking pretty.
So in preparation for my exhibition tomorrow I thought might get excited about a toadstool and the type I haven’t seen yet.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 