I mentioned on Sunday what a great weekend I had had, getting stuck into my type and printing letterpress. It was such a good feeling - I was learning so much, teaching myself, checking with Barry and I got utterly and completely absorbed by it all; as well as delighted with how things worked out.
I don't think any printmaker ever really gets over that moment of 'the reveal' - when you lift the paper from the press and see what magic has transpired. I had so many happy moments.
That's not to say I have created masterpieces and great works of art; but I have had the satisfaction of achieving what I set out to do, and with some success.
My aim was to have each of the poems hanging on a long slender piece of paper. Drifting a bit like clouds are want to do.
I deliberately printed each poem in a slightly different shade of grey. I had thought I would only print the long sheets - a couple of long white ones and a mottled blue-grey one; but in the end I just kept printing on smaller sheets of whatever light drifty paper I could find in the studio - poor Barry; he was helping me with the long sheets and I kept saying "just one more!" over and over and over again...
Here is one of the poems, layer upon layer, hanging on a metal pole in the studio.
Putting my cardboard on top of my long white paper to make sure there is enough pressure to transfer ink from type to paper.
Ahh the reveal...
This is some of the lovely mottled blue paper, with the last poem.
I love how Barry caught the movement here as I whipped the long sheet up and out!
More movement here as well.
And oh my goodness, the studio is complete and utter chaos. I have all the pieces for Noosa in there along with all the boxes to store them in; there is not a spare surface to be had - so it was on top of the boxes, and over the chairs and... basically all over the shop as I draped the pages to dry.
And then after they and all dried I played about and hung the long ones I had printed. So very very satisfying...
Plain white ones.
Greyish ones
Bluish ones
And some details...
Lots of fun and lots to go on with!
I don't think any printmaker ever really gets over that moment of 'the reveal' - when you lift the paper from the press and see what magic has transpired. I had so many happy moments.
That's not to say I have created masterpieces and great works of art; but I have had the satisfaction of achieving what I set out to do, and with some success.
My aim was to have each of the poems hanging on a long slender piece of paper. Drifting a bit like clouds are want to do.
I deliberately printed each poem in a slightly different shade of grey. I had thought I would only print the long sheets - a couple of long white ones and a mottled blue-grey one; but in the end I just kept printing on smaller sheets of whatever light drifty paper I could find in the studio - poor Barry; he was helping me with the long sheets and I kept saying "just one more!" over and over and over again...
Here is one of the poems, layer upon layer, hanging on a metal pole in the studio.
Putting my cardboard on top of my long white paper to make sure there is enough pressure to transfer ink from type to paper.
Ahh the reveal...
This is some of the lovely mottled blue paper, with the last poem.
I love how Barry caught the movement here as I whipped the long sheet up and out!
More movement here as well.
And oh my goodness, the studio is complete and utter chaos. I have all the pieces for Noosa in there along with all the boxes to store them in; there is not a spare surface to be had - so it was on top of the boxes, and over the chairs and... basically all over the shop as I draped the pages to dry.
And then after they and all dried I played about and hung the long ones I had printed. So very very satisfying...
Plain white ones.
Greyish ones
Bluish ones
And some details...
Lots of fun and lots to go on with!
I love the muted gray and blue. And I really enjoy seeing your process. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Candy - I was thrilled to work with those papers - they were just so right for the job. Go well.
DeleteThis is just wonderful!! Your poetry is supported and enhanced so well by the printing and the papers. The sum will be a great melding of parts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dana - you are most kind. The whole works well I think; the paper was special and suited the words.
DeleteI might have missed the reference but is this a poem of your own Fiona? If not, may I ask who wrote it ? I love the words and would like to know more. The image of the prints overlaid one on top of the other is glorious. What a great journey of exploration you are on!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley - I have to say they are my words, feels a bit much to call them 'poems'. Nothing special, but just a way to describe the sense I have of living here - above the clouds, below the clouds and within the clouds. I am finding more and more i just want to work with my own words if I can...go well.
DeleteSuch enjoyable posts these latest two are, Fiona...I love all of the detail - and enthusiasm! - you shared. Such beautiful lines so perfectly expressed on papers that so beautifully convey their meaning.
ReplyDeleteI think it's going to take a long time to peruse all of the projects you've undertaken since my last visit, but this has been a wonderful place to start & I do look forward to continuing to catch up, bit by bit...
I imagine the enthusiasm has been felt right across the world Lisa - I was fairly bubbling with excitement and glee! Glad you enjoyed your visit; nice to know you are back and wandering around the world of blog...go well.
Deletehaving just finished my first printing project i totally get it! i wanted to print more and more and more, too. it's grand to see your excitement.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little bit addictive isn't it Velma? I was going around trying to find any paper that might suit, ripping it and going for it! Hopefully my excitement will settle now and I'll be cool about it - but it is such fun!!
DeleteThis is beautiful. I really like the different cloud colours.
ReplyDeleteSandy in the UK
Thanks Sandy -it was wonderful to have the chance to play with the different coloured papers, they support the words so well.
Deletefantastic work
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate!
Deleteyou have such a refined sense of line and space
ReplyDeleteThank you Mo...
DeleteWow Fiona, totally exquisite. You are so clever to combine such a gentle mix so powerfully. Thanks for sharing - its lovely to see the process and your methods and I am excited to see the letterpress working with you.
DeleteThanks Tory! They have come together gently and I feel much more comfortable with the different presses and the type now - loads more to explore of course! Go well.
Delete