More detail added to the transparency

I didn't expose the solar plate after all (Please see the previous post). Instead I added more detail to the transparency. when the drawing is done, I will expose the Solar plate--perhaps on Monday. In the mean time, I will continue to develop the details using Sharpie markers and ink wash.

Making a Solar Plate to add a line drawing to a monotype

Here is the next step in creating my solar plate. (Please read my older post to see the beginning step) I have worked a black ink drawing on a transparency. I am using Sharpie markers and scratching into the ink with an Exacto blade to add some grey tones.

To expose the solar plate, the image must be on a transparent surface. I have found that it is much better to have the image at this stage be greyscale--black and white and grey tones-- as this gives more details in the final print (The final print can be in color--you just ink the plate with colored ink.) I have tried different strategies including printing from an inkjet printer onto inkjet transparency, hand drawing with drawing inks, hand drawing with the sharpies, and painting on the transparency with black etching ink.

 I will work on this drawing a little bit more today. Since it is a nice sunny day, I will also expose the plate today. I'll post that step later--perhaps tonight.

Jan

Making a Solar Plate to add a line drawing to a monotype

Today I decided to do my own version of the Dodo bird swimming in the pool of tears with Alice. I want a solar plate that I can print on a monotype--a way of adding some line work to the print. I'm going to illustrate the steps involved.
I started by looking at several versions of this image for inspiration. I love Aurthur Rackhams picture, circa 1907 (Thanks to Artpassions.net.) Another wonderful version is by Kiki Smith circa 2000 (Thanks to MoMA.)
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Another wonderful version is by Kiki Smith circa 2000 (Thanks to the MoMA).

Next I began to sketch out my own version. Here is the pencil drawing.

Next, I began to sketch out my own version. Here is the pencil drawing. The next step is to develop the drawing and translate it to a black ink drawing on transparency paper. I'll be using Sharpie markers to make the transparency. This transparency will be used to expose the solar plate. 
I'll post this next step tomorrow I hope.

The Sky Is Falling In Wonderland

Here is one of the prints from today. All in all a very productive session. I managed to channel my anxiety into my work. Actually, it was fun. I started with the alarmed horse--an image I have worked with before. Clearly,  the sky was falling. But what exactly was it plummeting down on the poor horse? I decided to look up Dodo birds and ended up having grand time reinterpreting the Dodo from Lewis Carrol's illustrations for Alice. I added a white rabbit as well. Drawing the fur and getting the posture was engrossing.
There are also four half finished pieces in the shop. Another version of this print, and some cheshire cat-like critters. Hopefully I will finish and post soon.

Jan

Getting ready for exhibition

Getting ready for an exhibit of your artwork is exciting and scary. Will I have enough work? Is what I am making any good? Will I sell? Will people laugh at me?All of these questions go through my mind as I work in the studio. I would like to have a show that garners the respect of my peers. I'd like to feel that I accomplished something--moved my work forward in a new and positive direction. But the day to day experience in the studio is often fraught with doubt and  frustration.
My solution is to try to be prolific on the theory that if I have a lot to choose from, I will have a better show as an end result. Working on many pieces at once helps too. If one is not going well or I am not sure what to do next, I can turn to another piece for a while. So today, I plan to crank them out--such a nice metaphor for a printmaker, because it works figuratively but also literally. Hopefully there will be a lot of cranking the press today.

Jan

New prints

Three new prints today. Here's the one I put in my Etsy store--inspired by Casey my Greyhound. After the three day Nor'easter he was pretty glad to get out and run in the woods yesterday. The birds were singing up a storm. I decided to commemorate with this little monotype.

Prints on the brain

Getting ready for several shows at once is always a big deal. I am a bit panicky and trying to keep it real. What's coming up? A two person show at a cool north shore company called Cell Signalling http://www.cellsignal.com/ , a new piece for the Brickbottom Gallery show, Black and White http://brickbottomartists.com/gallery_future , and a possible new gallery affiliation--which means a studio visit soon. Yikes. So into the print studio to work, work, work. So far, lots of birds and some other critters are emerging from the press. Pics to follow soon I hope.
Inspirations?
http://www.lsokolowski.com/WaterPlaces.htm

Jan

My New Etsy Store

Lamps, lampshades, switch plates, picture frames, and a huge pile of beautiful textiles, ribbons, rare and wonderful papers, digital prints, vintage lithographs, stamps cover my worktables these days.

Here's the story. Last fall we put in a lovely new tile floor in our living room. A great couch and two oriental rugs followed. Soon, I was recovering lampshades and switch plates. It was fun, satisfying, and addictive. So I made more--crinkled silk lampshades with antique birds and paper flowers collaged around the rim. Japanese stamps arranged on a switch plate. Fragments of poetry by W.B. Yeats shared a picture frame with crazy decorative papers.

So several months later, I have all these beautiful housewares and no where to put them. There are only so many switches and lamps in the house. I've been a fan of Etsy for a while. I love browsing all the categories and have made a point of buying presents from different sellers for special occasions in my family. It occurred to me that I could try becoming a seller myself. the idea was a little intimidating. Well, I went ahead and took the plunge. It's time to announce my Etsy store. Please take a look: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jarabas