Like most folk I expect, I would love the work to simply magically appear, without too much fuss and bother and without hours and hours of preparation. But...in my little world it rarely does. With calligraphy I spend hours preparing, drawing lines, testing nib sizes, writing and measuring and then actually doing. Printmaking is proving to have similar pre-prodution preparation qualities!
Our Maleny Printmakers group is holding their second exhibition in about a month's time. This time there will be 13 of us participating and we are all producing ten prints. Each print measures 13.5cm (h) x 11.5cm (w) and fits snuggly in a CD case. There will be 130 of these beauties hung across a wall and I am sure the whole effect will be stunning!
Many of us are doing editions, so I am working on trying to produce 100 prints; editions of 10 for each of mine. Quite the wee challenge.
Still, I have begun and that's the most important thing.
Last week I spent some time with Susan playing around - she was more industrious and focused I think; I was way back in the zone of trying to work out what paper and what sizes...
We decided to make a sample stack of our tissue papers so we know what they are next time we want to order them.
I cut out a variety of coloured papers to see what size prints might look good on the size paper we are all working with. Clearly some work better than others! I settled on six and have so far only used two.
This is what the table and my feet looked like on Friday afternoon; paper paper every where!
Stacks of preparations - words for one and waxed teabags for chine colle for another...
It's Sunday afternoon as I type and I'm pleased to say that I have actually completed three prints, in an edition of ten each. Big happy for Sunday.
Our Maleny Printmakers group is holding their second exhibition in about a month's time. This time there will be 13 of us participating and we are all producing ten prints. Each print measures 13.5cm (h) x 11.5cm (w) and fits snuggly in a CD case. There will be 130 of these beauties hung across a wall and I am sure the whole effect will be stunning!
Many of us are doing editions, so I am working on trying to produce 100 prints; editions of 10 for each of mine. Quite the wee challenge.
Still, I have begun and that's the most important thing.
Last week I spent some time with Susan playing around - she was more industrious and focused I think; I was way back in the zone of trying to work out what paper and what sizes...
We decided to make a sample stack of our tissue papers so we know what they are next time we want to order them.
I cut out a variety of coloured papers to see what size prints might look good on the size paper we are all working with. Clearly some work better than others! I settled on six and have so far only used two.
This is what the table and my feet looked like on Friday afternoon; paper paper every where!
Stacks of preparations - words for one and waxed teabags for chine colle for another...
and a stack of the ones that John West rejected, so to speak.
It's Sunday afternoon as I type and I'm pleased to say that I have actually completed three prints, in an edition of ten each. Big happy for Sunday.
Fascinating to see something of your process ... and I really recognise that table!
ReplyDeleteFor me the trouble with so much of what I do is not the preparation (which has the pleasure of anticipation) but the clearing up afterwards ...
Yes Charlton - that table is an all too familiar sight! Must tidy it up before others come over for a play day tomorrow! It often takes me weeks to clean up - I keep working within ever-decreasing spaces until I just have to put things away. Sigh.
DeleteI have similar wishes that the wood would stack itself, the leaves miraculously be cleared away and, most especially, that the bills would always be paid, opening up more time for the studio. Your table has a very familiar - in the midst of a project - look. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHi Valerianna - I think we need some more magic! That table is a pretty familiar sight for many I am sure; my problem is that it stays that way a bit too long...
DeleteI understand that preparations can be a pain but then look at the results! Even half way through, they look wonderful. These photos make me want to get down to work again :)
ReplyDeleteooh would be great if you got down to do some of your work Ersi! My table is a mess, but it feels mostly like a productive mess which is a good kind I think.
DeleteMy prior comment might be at the hyperspace.....Fiona dear, congratulations for everything you do. Always present in my thoughts, will send an e-mail. Cheers from Caracas, Mariella.
ReplyDeleteDear Mariella - so wonderful to hear from you! I think cyber space might have snaffled up your last comment; but I am so glad this one got through! Best wishes to you across the many miles...
DeleteThat phrase about the ones that John West rejects took me back more years than I care to remember Fiona. Is that still a slogan in Australia? Anyway, regardless, I got the reference and know the feeling. I enjoy the thinking process associated with printmaking and the serendipity when what's in your head doesn't always materialise on the paper in front of you. I am heartened to see you working in a pile of papers (join the clan!) but think that out of that apparent chaos a beautiful print edition will emerge. Looking good so far. Good luck with the exhibition.
ReplyDelete