Where do I begin?
After a few days of learning and fun I am looking forward to to when I can practice my new found skills. However, this has been put on hold as I have a new project. My son-in-law has recently finished writing his second book and it requires a cover. The story is about a hospital; so we thought the entrance at the emergency department might be appropriate. I have made some (many) preliminary sketches but I have come to a halt; when I need to make some decisions. Should I make my image, the finished book size or larger if so how much? For technical reasons these choices make a difference; but I know not what.
Then there is the medium , if I were to make it A3 then a Linoprint would not be practical; so I would consider silkscreen print and therefore need help. If I were to do it A4 or smaller, lino would be fine; but then reduction or multi-colour?
If time allows then to try all three would be the answer.
Silent Sunday …
On Saturday …
Today is the final day of a three day printing workshop; it has been a joy! There was no reason why it should have been otherwise; it was a local venue and the teacher was a dear friend, nonetheless I was fearful as the course began. Fortunately, It was not long before I was able to look at new printmaking skills, playfully. I was among kindred souls who also had doubts about printmaking and the ways it could be learned and ‘made’ in three days! I, not wishing to put myself under the pressure took some lino cuts I had made while in Brazil and in a position to layer and line as the course indicated; following some step-by-step instructions of multi-coloured inking, collage and monoprints. I am pleased with the results so far, although they will not be gracing any walls. Having spent much longer experimenting with different tools and methods with an expert I am now a position to try them at home where I can take my time and use my oil based inks, glues etc. So onward …
Friday good wishes …
It is Friday when I usually post a snapshot from the library. However, I am not at work but enjoying a three day printing workshop at Summer School and have taken annual leave.
Those who read my blog regularly will know that the school room is not a comfortable place for me. Although, I am improving, the situation still remains an ordeal. I am not a beginner at printmaking, in fact I am fairly accomplished and indeed sold some of my work; this class should hold no difficulties for me.
However, the condition is complicated and has debilitating effect. On outside I am a fully functioning adult working, laughing, communicating and also being creative, on the inside there is a little girl; lost, lonely, abused, afraid and apparently worthless (thus was the result of those methods used in school all those years ago)
So for a while until I face the situation I wander aimlessly looking for comfort.
Although, I am prepared almost overly, I find it difficult to play and enjoy the opportunity to learn new skills in warm and supportive surroundings that bare no resemblance to those I experienced 50 or 60 years ago that have scared me almost beyond repair.
So, not a library book but a good wish for those like me, today, who face a situation that feels monster yet can be assuaged with a giggle, a blob of ink and more tea!
I don’t expect this funny little creature to answer my plea but is a gift from Brazil and makes me smile … Have a good day!
Alphabe Thursday M is for Many …
Muitos que cruzam a fronteira
E vem ao nosso país
Pesquisar está cultura,
Quem conhece logo diz
Para pesquisa completa
Só vai achar em Paris
Many who cross the border
And come to our country,
to research this culture
Who knows will say
For the complete research
you will only find Paris
This poem has been abridged and these verses are difficult for me so after some expert advice we arrive at this translation … still not making much sense ….
Except for me as a visitor, Rio de Janiero is very foreign and not always as ‘comfortable’ as I would like. So I can imagine someone else perhaps wanting to smooth of all the rough bits and call it something a bit more cozy like Paris, Rome or London … where the culture, we are lead to believe is more acceptable.
What do you think? About the translation and/or the meaning of the poem?
A change on Wednesday …
I have had a difficult week without broadband. Beginning, last Tuesday I had discussions with call centre operatives who, I was continually assured, would rectify my ‘problems’ but as the days turned into a week so the promises made, did not materialise. I became more and more dissatisfied with the so called ‘service’ and upped my requests and started to complain. It is surprising how anger used carefully can be a good communicating tool.
However, it was not until yesterday afternoon, an engineer arrived and diagnosed the problem in moments; which incidentally was none of the reasons discussed with the 4 helpline operators I had spoken to earlier. It was not the hub, that I was encouraged to replace at a horrible sum. Which I am told since would have been provided free of charge with only post and package.
I am very sad that it is not possible to call upon a local engineer when we have technical problems. Why do we have to go through so many hoops with a call centre on the other side of the world; so the ‘happy’ result is only that of a knee jerk reaction from a well paid executive here in UK? Yes! he was kind but it would have been so much better if my temper had been spared.
A little vision to cheer!
Weekly Photo Challenge … Beneath our feet
The pavements in Rio de Janeiro are beautiful; but I am afraid you will have to take my word for it. There are a two reasons why I am unable to provide evidence; first, there are security issues and there is my safety. A woman with a camera taking images of the pavement is asking for trouble from a would be thief or someone the look out for mad woman! Then there is me, it seems I would fall over a match stick, so walking and operating a camera is a non-no. Nonetheless; I threw caution to the wind when I saw this beneath my feet in Saint Teresa while on my recent holiday.
Looking back to Rio on the bike …
One of the best days I spent in Rio was one of the last of my holiday. My son-in-law took me for a ride on his new motorbike. His previous bike, on which they had the accident on was stolen a few weeks back, and now replaced. I am a pedal cyclist and car driver, never before ventured on a motor bike, but often dreamed that one day I would have the opportunity. Never did I expect this to happen in Rio de Janeiro, it was like a lifetime’s dream come true.
It was beautiful morning and we swerved in and out of the pedestrians down the hill of Babilonia into the streets of Rio; now swerving cars, buses and taxis, all vying position with a toot of the horn. That’s how they do it, with eyes this way and that, a toot and they move … a mighty chess game. It changed my view as pedestrian … I will be more careful. It is a shame that cities have become so dangerous for pedestrians; as a driver I do see that pedestrians do not anticipate the speed of oncoming cars and take untold risks.
However, I drift from my wonderful experience that took me to the motor mechanic where the bike is serviced and cared for and nearby by is the house where the notorious train robber, Ronnie Biggs lived, not a tourist attraction of course but it did make me smile.
So back on my journey, up another hill over one of Rio’s three tunnels. Very near the coast it has a beautiful view of the beaches north and south and inland to the city. It was a lovely setting, with cafe and picnic area and to my delight lots of healthy cats sunning themselves in the trees.
Friday snapshot …
At a social media meeting,this week at work we discussed the copyright issues involved when posting images on blogs and twitter from our archives, museum and library. I was blissfully unaware that in the last couple of years I have been holding a hot potato. I was not alone, we as a group were not consistent or knowing of the parameters of the copyright laws even though the implications should we get it wrong are clear and serious.
So I went away feeling a bit guilty that I had done something wrong and harmful to the library. I wanted to address my part in this and go forward correctly, so while I cannot undo the previous practices I can feel comfortable with each of my regular tweets on behalf of the library.
However, this was not without some practical adjustments. I usually scan any images I need ; this is not a good method as the results could be used by anyone for other means. My camera perfect for getting an instant snapshot didn’t connect to the wifi so any pictures taken this way would not upload until I got home; therefore the spontaneity of the shot was lost.
This minor hitch didn’t take long to rectify and my camera is working as it should. I can now tweet without infringing on copyright regulations.
So here goes; looking forward to next week’s theme of ‘holidays in the countryside’ I browsed the shelves in the children’s collection for a good read … not a great image as I was just practicing in the store to connect and it did! Picture in Dropbox in a flash!
Alphabe Thursday … L is for Lament
Lamento a nossa cultura
Puramente brasileira
Não tem sido divulgada
Em su potência inteira
Quem quiser saber melhor
recorre a terra estrangeira
I am having difficulties with translating this, ‘lament’ is not word we use … but the poet I think says ‘I’m so sorry that our culture, totally Brazilian, is powerful, those who would like to know more usually go to another country’
My son-in-law suggests as an example of this, is Seu Jorge, a singer songwriter unable to find stardom in Brazil, neglected his roots and found acclaim and recognition in France.
That’s sad … and the image is odd too!
from the Dicionário Brasileiro de literatura de cordel by Francisco Silva Nobre.
Coat Hanger Doll's House 