Well I've been participating in this Printmaking Studio for 21 months. So much time, but not a lot of exhibition-grade work. The reason for this? First commitment, clearing the way to make this day set in stone.
That meant asking a favour, and changing a day for one of my students, after 11 years probably fair enough.
Settling in, learning how to develop an art practice again. Settling in socially, exciting at first, especially as this facility is new too, meeting people, promoting centre etc. Learning new techniques, drypoint, collagraph, learning to spell Collagraph! Revisiting linocut, although spent my childhood doing this, more refined efforts now. Seeing others do multiple plates, and also seeing reduction linocut.
Working my way through producing anything of a high enough standard to make the grade. Exhibiting so far twice with this group, and also participating in a print exchange, first time ever. Patience learnt as you wait your turn in the print queue.
Now the biggest test of patience ever, modifying how I work. Physically somewhat compromised now as I get the awful diagnosis of Osteo-Arthritis. Spine, shoulder, neck, leg, hip and arm, all affected. Had to be my drawing arm of course! I thought a large drypoint on copper was causing me a lot of pain and discomfort, now I know why.
So modifying how I do things, shorter bursts of activity, and rest in between, a good excuse for a cuppa! Now I love monoprints, just draw an image and print. Rich coloured water soluble oil pastels are proving a good medium, and as drawing is my strong point, suitable for me. Less pressure applied as opposed to pushing tools over and over, repetition causes a problem.
Only one print can be made from a monoprint, though sometimes also a ghost (second print). I like the painterly effect, textured and interesting. Just seeing results of laying over a drypoint. They are a bit precious as you can only get one. Copper sheet might be a good plate, and easy to clean off too. What are the best, plastic plates, or metal ? Constant experimentation.
First attempts at encaustic collagraph. Had saved up a lot of cheese wax coating, and melted it, spooning it onto a plastic plate, recycled from packaging, not much goes to waste around here. The wax is so hot, melts a plastic spoon, luckily used a stainless steel frypan to hopefully clean off properly. After altering and scraping back, will probably shellac this plate as wax is so soft, and must think cleaning off too. Will not apply so thick a layer next time.
A very eclectic mix of people, and so of course their artistic output. I get just as excited seeing others process as my own. Still as well as the print projects, there is a good camerarderie as we all seem fond of flora and fauna, gardening and cooking.
