Wednesday’s Woman …
I am always on the lookout for household items to draw and use later when printmaking; my house and garden if littered with stuff that shows potential.
Now I am on the lookout for a 1930s phone that fits with my colour scheme ; if only I could remember what it was !
I love the work of Margaret Calkin James (1895-1985) what a woman! Image from At the sign of the rainbow ; Margaret Calkin James (1895-1985) by Betty Miles
Weekly Photo Challenge … Monochromatic
As a printmaker; I do wood engraving, transposing a drawing taken from life on a large sheet paper and engrave it onto a small block of wood. Then, I print it, using black ink onto white paper. The idea is that I should age old skills to replicate the colours, tone and texture of the original image with marks made with the engraving tool. It is the skill of the old print makers used long before modern technology of the 19th century to illustrate books and newspapers. I have not mastered this yet but I try and there are examples on my blog.
Meanwhile, I am going it seems, of the track; While waiting for the previous skills mentioned to come, I am also learning dry-point. This is another old printing technique using usually black ink again the art is in the cutting strokes to give the impression of light, shade and colour. My first attempt at dry-point, the buttons and drawing demonstrate this I think However, and this is where I come to the point of this week’s prompt. The buttons in the jar are pretty much bar a few are monochromatic … the large brightly coloured ones of the 70s have been lost in time … a shame.
Last week I ….
Last week I bought a hanging rack to dry my prints. I have been wanting one for a long time; but I couldn’t find the right one in my price range. Also, a permanent structure seemed to me as an emblem of experience. Only the ‘pros’ hang their work on show albeit to dry!
And then there is the space; I cannot swing a cat let alone hang works of art out to dry.
So I have spent months considering the options; looked in a multitude of Print Rooms. Even bought some of the so called proven methods; only to find they would not cope and collapsed.
So last week I bought this gem; coveted for months as it seems a bit too costly. It now hangs strangely quite discrete … but when the art output fails … I can still look at its own beauty.
Silent Sunday …
Saturday and Sunday around Reading
My adopted home town is Reading not a beautiful town as I have discussed at length before. Developers have ripped the town apart. Removing buildings without a care; and those that are left are not being looked after as they should be. Local residents, who celebrate the town’s diversity don’t hold out much hope for the future as the government funding is cut year after year.
Nonetheless there are those who do care and hang on to a thread of hope as we encounter Heritage Open Day.
There are sites open in Reading this weekend at Brock Keep and the Rising Sun Institute.
Friday’s Snapshot from my library
In a few weeks I am going to a wood engraving weekend workshop; so I am browsing my bookshelves for some inspiration. I don’t have to look far, this is a favourite of mine it is a rich source of ideas, colour and warmth … Brickfields by Mary Wondrausch
Alphabe Thursday Q is for Quero … I want …
Quero ser a criatura
Que sempre fui e serei
Amante da minha pátria
Que e mais rica,eu sei
As culturas do nordeste
que nasci e me criei
The poet seated on the northeast side of Brazil is very satisfied with with his lot here.
He loves his country and richer because he was born and raised in Northeast Brazil and wants to remain there where he enjoys the culture.
I have not been to northeast Brazil but understand there are many migrants living and working in Rio de Janiero where they go to great lengths to celebrate their unique culture in their new found communities.
Wednesday’s woman …
At a recent art class we discussed the way in which an artist uses the background contribute to the story. From what might be insignificant utensils tossed aside when the user is disturbed or as she finished her task.
This, the Workbox by Olga Rozanova is a perfect example; it poses so many questions.What was she making, who or what disturbed her?
I grabbed this from the internet; the image in my book Amazons of the avant-garde is in black and white and not so useful.
Olga Rozanova (1886 – 1918) was a noted Russian Artist, in her short life made contributions to Neo-primitivism, suprematism and cubo-futurist movement. Her series of paintings in the playing cards series are worth a look.
At the moment, I am reading Mrs Dallaway by Virginia Woolf, and the protagonist is disturbed, while sewing, by a visitor, I wonder if this bears any resemblance to that scene. It would have happened at about the same time (early in the 20th century) only on the other side of world.
Weekly Photo Challenge …. Connected
I am a printmaker, would be photographer and blogger, my output is a direct continuation of my life. My boots, bags, teapots, books and bike find themselves on paper and in cyberspace in my name.
What did I learn last week …
What did learn last week? First, which may course some anxiety: I have a deadline! It is looming; and was put in place last October. I promised some work for a book to be created for an exhibition. Each time I contemplate the said pages, so I consider the day when my work will be good enough. So the next few days will be spent in a state of undone and regret.
However, on a better note I did learn about dry point with that I am pleased.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 