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Sunday, May 24, 2015

Under Construction progresses

Towards the end of the week and over the weekend, I made myself sit down and DO something with the layout and body of work that is to become "Under Construction".  I have been staring at the possibility of the wall pieces; but was still feeling too scared to really have a go; so decided I would take the easier route for  me - I would start with the book.

I had chosen to work with BFK printmaking paper - a half sheet - and thought that will look good on the wall and will make an interesting book size as well.  I folded the pages and discovered that the layout needs to be different when you are working with individual pages; rather than simply the flat surface.

I bit the bullet, inked up the plates, registered them, put some paper down and printed.

To my great surprise they worked out pretty well - using about 4-5 plates on a single sheet is always a challenge re alignment and pressure etc - and then I had the fun part of adding other elements.

And the joy that process brought as I went from one element to a completely different, unheralded element to add in and so on - building and constructing this work in response to each layer placed previously.

I have written five short haiku-ish poems about nests as I hope to make five books and five wall-pieces (ambitious I know...). I enjoyed the gentle, whimsical and light script as I wrote with walnut ink.

What had started out as a promise of a test run had actually turned into an almost finished product.

The satisfaction was immense - these snippets show you some of its loveliness...








17 comments:

  1. oh, yeah, this looks like things are flowing

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    1. Sometimes the flow shows doesn't it V? Thanks!

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  2. That is so beautiful Fiona. A joy to behold.

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    1. Thank you Lesley, I was really enjoying it and am happy with the result. Now to see if I can keep going and make another four!

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  3. oh this is a delight, you have such a light touch, Fiona!

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    1. Thanks so much Mo, even tho it is a bit different, it felt very much 'me' I must say.

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    1. Perfectly put Penny! That's how they build nests isn't it with little bits of mystery

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    1. Thank Carol - it is soft and gentle and full,of little bits of this and that...

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  6. Wow Fiona! This is beyond exquisite. What an inspiration you are. Bravo.

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    1. Wow Nancy! Thanks for such a show of support for this piece. I reall enjoyed seeing my hopes for it realised, and think it is well on the way to telling its story. Go well.

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  7. "Ephemeral yet robust" perfectly describes the tiny nest that I found over a decade ago ... bringing it out each Christmas to rest on a branch of our tree, I wonder at the construction skills of a tiny creature long gone.

    This is a marvelous paean ...

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    1. It's one of the most special characteristics of nests I think, how fragile they appear yet how safe and sturdy they are...glad you enjoyed, go well.

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  8. F - a very thoughtful and well put together piece - delicate and many layered.b
    b

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  9. I love all the mark makings and textures for your book... divine!

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  10. I love every little snippet that you've shared Fiona <3

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.