Landshapes

 

The idea for this series came to me the other day. I think of them as idealistic landscapes, boiled down to simple shapes. I'm pretty excited about them. Still in progress and don't know what I'll do with them. 

Printmaking Like the Masters

Original drawing on the right with zinc plate on the left

Etch bath

Etched plate ready for ink and printing

Final print

I've always wanted to try etching and I finally had a chance recently when I took a short half-day class of  non-toxic etching with A & C studios. It's a beautiful studio space and I couldn't recommend our instructor, Cathrine enough. 

The basic steps are as such...

First you coat the zinc plate with a thin clear layer of floor finish which dries and just leaves a very thin coating to scratch through. Then you transfer your drawing onto the zinc plate and scratch into the plate with a pointed etching tool. The tools have the finest tip on them. Being able to get that tiny level of detail lived up to my wildest dreams!

When you're done scratching, the plate goes into the etch bath for 12 minutes, which ended up being a bit too long for my drawing. You can see at the top of the plate and the print that it's too textured. It's a lovely effect if that's what you're into.

The plate is covered with ink and run through the press, onto handmade cotton paper (at least, that's what we printed on) that is damp.

Of course, once you see the print, you can go back and keep going with more etching or more scratching or what have you.

I think the biggest thing I learned was exactly how much variation and technique there is to this process. And how wildly the technique can vary and that each print is truly unique. 

I look forward to more of this.

Rebecca Rothfus Valentine, Steady

 

Lucky am I to have received a limited edition Valentine from artist, Rebecca Rothfus. This one is titled, Steady. Beautiful surprise in my mailbox.

Please go have a look at her wonderful work.

Going-on, as of late

Cross stitch project from another era

Atheneaum Art and Music Library

 

Little tide pool things

LA Art Book Fair Scene

Chris Burden's Metropolis II LA County Museum

With the paintings complete for the ETA show, it's been time to get out of the studio and see life. Here's what's been going on:
--Went up to Los Angeles recently to see the 2nd Annual LA Art Book Fair at the Geffen Contemporary museum which was a window into another world. A world of small and even smaller publishers printing a variety of things from words, to serious art to silly hand-drawn mini-zines. We picked up a couple of odds and ends but could have bought much much more. Looking forward to going back next year.
--After that we swung by the LA County Museum of Art and caught the Alexander Calder show, which was an unexpected delight. A bit overshadowed perhaps by the Turrell show next door, which is too bad. The Calder work does something that I've seen few sculptures do and that is defy and deny the materials from which they were made. They all appear airy and light despite the steel construction. Unfortunately, no photography allowed in that exhibit. Really beautiful work.
--Popped by the La Jolla MOCA and picked up another lovely Elk necklace in their gift shop [not pictured above]. This is my 2nd by the Australian husband/wife design team. Their work is modern, organic and great design. Well-priced, too.
--Joined the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla. Got totally sucked in by an old cross stitch book I found.
--Finally, after many months of waiting, made it to the tide pools. This is the time of year when low tide is during the daytime, making the tide pools ready for viewing pleasures. We didn't see any sea creatures but all the nuances of color and tiny bits of whatevers were all out in their glory. We forgot to bring the magnifying glass which just means we'll have to go again real soon!

Very soon we are headed back down to Tijuana for another museum field trip. More to report shortly. 

Enormous Tiny Art Show #15 is up!

New work is almost available for Enormous Tiny Art Show #15.

Nahcotta Gallery

110 Congress Street

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Opening reception: Friday, February 7th, 5-8 pm

Smaller-than-desired Christmas

I was so excited to show great photos of inspiring things that I saw over my Christmas travels to Virginia, until I downloaded them and was met with utter disappointment. Technological letdown. Sigh. No earthly idea what happened there.

Be that as it sadly may.....

We checked out some museums in Colonial Williamsburg that I hadn't been to in many years. Turns out, they are very impressive and well put together and I kick myself for not going sooner.These pictures were taken at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller museum of art as well as the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts museum which are housed in the same building. Such a nice breadth of work from paintings to pottery to musical instruments.

The top photo, one of my favorites, is a painting by self-taught artist Steve Harley. There were 6 on view which you can see here.  They were done in the 20's and have some stunning detail and a literal, yet charming style to them. I'm so thrilled that I got to see them.

It's a bonus if you can visit family for the holiday AND take in some art. That's what I say.

Gingerbread houses!

 

Thanksgiving was great but enough about that. Let's talk about the highlight of the weekend. Gingerbread houses!

Our local bakery had small houses up by the counter and I inquired about buying some blank ones and they were happy to oblige. After a few stops for candy, my mother-in-law and I set up shop to build our dream houses.

Here's my tips and tricks so that I don't forget next time:

1. The houses came on a paper plate but I'm lucky to have these cake stands. Or there's always a foil-wrapped piece of cardboard for your base.

2. Royal icing is just egg whites and powdered sugar. The trick is to get the right consistency. It seemed a tad 'melty' but not bad. You'll want to drizzle some off your spoon to see if it's thin enough for the pastry bag, but thick enough to keep it's shape. I think perfection here comes with practice.

3. The sour tape gummy stuff is great. That's what I used for the red siding on mine. Looks like brick and it's versatile and lightweight.

4. For decorating we mainly used red hots, gum drops, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, grape nuts, shredded wheat. Should probably add: Twizzlers, pretzel rods/sticks.

I'm determined to start doing this every year. Maybe it'll be a new Thanksgiving-weekend tradition.