Thank you so much for all the sweet comments and encouragement! I will answer each one, and will visit the blogs of those who have "no reply" status in the next few days!
Here is the last watercolor ~ "mixed media" actually ~ it's the quickie one I did outdoors a couple of months ago, using those Swiss Caran D'ache crayons over watercolor...I added some super-sparkly Holbein Metallic Gold Gouache to it, and called it "Gilded Tuberose". It was at the very last minute and I had an extra mat and frame, so I decided to put it in, as well. Speaking of tuberoses, mine from last year all came out (a first for me, usually I forget and leave them outside until they freeze...our winter was so warm this past year, though, I don't think it would have mattered!) ~ anyway, I have lots of buds (some just about to bloom) but they are about a month early, and also a lot smaller than usual. I'm thinking this has to do with my not using Miracle Grow weekly like I normally do...:(...I'd been out, and too harried to remember to get more. I just got a big container of it yesterday, though, and although it's probably too late for it to affect the tuberoses (they bloom all at once and then they're done, but still so worth it ~ next year I'm going to get more bulbs and experiment with staggering the planting), I'm sure everything else will appreciate it...I didn't realize what a big difference it makes until this year!
Okay, that's the end of my Miracle Grow commercial...think they'd want to hire me?
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Last summer I got a sale catalog from Daniel Smith Art Supply, and on the cover was the coolest image of some goldfinches at a birdbath, surrounded by flowers; very bold, graphic black outlines and intense colors ~ I loved it! I was familiar with linoleum printing, but had never seen it tinted with watercolor like this one was...
I knew I wanted to try it, but put it on the "back burner"...every once in a while I would run across the catalog and think about ordering supplies to try it, but just kept putting it off.
Finally, with the show coming up, I thought it would be a fun way to make prints to share and put in my empty Etsy shop, so I got everything I needed...
and I was hooked!
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"Beloved" is a statue in Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
In retrospect, I probably should have picked a simpler image for my first attempt at carving a linoblock, but I was pleased with the way she turned out.
You carve the image in reverse ~ (I uploaded my photo to Befunky (free photo-editing site) and reversed it; not really essential, though, unless you are doing an image that has wording or numbers ~ then I used the "Cartoonizer" effect to simplify the shapes ); I experimented with several different techniques for getting the image on the linoblock (YouTube has everything...), including having laser copies made at a print shop and using acrylic matte medium under the copy (the paper was supposed to then be dampened on the back and rubbed off, leaving just the laser-ink image on the block...umm...no) and acetone over the copy...very messy, and
You could also transfer the photo with plain old graphite/transfer paper!
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Here is the carved linoblock of the band stand in Malone Park here in Sikeston; I've used a brayer (ink roller) and printer's ink to ink the surface. I bought a baren (the Speedball handled disc, above right), but honestly didn't need to ~ the heavy wooden spoon does the trick! See the heavy glass tray I'm using for the ink? In a former life it was a microwave tray; $2 at Goodwill!
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I placed the paper over the inked image, and burnished it on the back with the wooden spoon.
I misted the paper just slightly with water, as that helps the ink "grab" it (I'm using heavy, smooth (hot-pressed) watercolor paper) ~ it stays put really well (though you still want to keep a hand on it), and you can see from the slight embossing of the paper on the back if you've gotten all the image ... you can lift up a corner, holding the paper in place with your other hand, to make sure you've gotten it all, too.
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Ta-da! There's the inked print (above) ~ after it dries, I will tint it with watercolor. Actually a very low-tech printing process!
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My last 4 pieces are all black and white photography, all statuary from Soldier's Rest Cemetery in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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That's it!
Tomorrow I'll show some photos from the show (I want to make sure it's okay with the other two ladies first), and I also have lots of kitty-pics to share!
Have a wonderful week!
Anne
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