New drypoint started...

So, I have pulled an initial print off of a new drypoint. It has been almost 2 years since I have had much studio time due to a renovation and move, but all should be settling down some now and I hope to devote much more time to my art!

This is a snapshot of the inital test print off of the drypoint I worked on tonight.

I am going to make a few minor alterations to it, but overall I like it.

I hope you do, too.

The Forest Calls 1.17.11

Even on a dreary winter day like today there is something about the feeling of the forest that calls to me. Something about the sounds, colors, even the smells that fit just right.

I made several monotypes in this vein and may continue with more soon.

See it for sale here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/63394889/the-forest-calls-original-monotype-ooak

Foster-Smith Cabin

Foster-Smith Cabin Linocut















This is a test print for the linocut I worked on this weekend.
This is #3 in a series of linocuts of Brookhaven, Mississippi landmarks.
Each plate in the series will measure 2 inches x 2 5/8ths inches.

Two finished prints...

These are short editions, but having been out of printmaking for so long, it's about all I could manage and be happy with. I hope to get some framed and in my booth at Southern Treasures soon.
The top one is the Coffee Pot. It was a cafe many years ago, but is vacant (I think) now.

The second one is what I have only ever called The Smokestack of course. It is an old factory that the city wants to refurbish and revitalize as a transportation hub.
I would love to get up close with a camera before they do!

So here's the corrected - unflipped cut

This is an artist's proof that I made quickly last night. If I am very careful I may get 7 or 8 final prints out of this. I printed all the blue plates last night. Pardon the terrible photo. Oh and if I haven't mentioned it, the size of this is 2 inches wide be 2 5/8 inches tall.
Teeny Tiny!

I've started a second tiny print of the "Coffee pot". You'd have to be from my home town to know what that means. Maybe I can get it finished tonight...

As if I didn't have enough going on...

I whipped out a new, small block yesterday, and printed it quickly to see how it looked in the ink nearest my hands.


The image area is only 2 inches wide.

I'm pleased with how it turned out except for one small detail...

It's backwards.

Silly me, I flipped the image!


Oh Well...
Cutting again.

We have a Winner - um make that WINNERS!

So, everything was prepared and I was ready for my daughter to draw a name for the winner of my giveaway, and what happened? Well, my son would not be outdone and snuck his hand in the pot, too.
The TWO winners for my giveaway are.....
(insert drumroll here...)
munecita and Jaime!
Congrats!!!!

So, I got busy last night mixing ink and printing their notecards! (As it turns out they both liked purple! How did I get that lucky?!?!?!)

Your packages will soon be winging their way to you! :D
...with a few other little "Happies" to brighten your days!











I didn't manage to make any progress on the aforementioned WIP.
But there's always tonight, or tomorrow night...

I did manage to start a new WIP! Who wants just one iron in the fire?









These are the first two blocks for a 4 color print. I've got a LOT of cutting to do to cut away everything that isn't black in the image.
If this works, it'll be the most involved linoleum block print I've ever done! Wish me luck. I'm rusty!

YIPPEE!

I am about to get some fantastic jewelry from a fellow Mississippi Etsy seller!
http://jewelrybymignon.blogspot.com/ has created two wonderful custom pieces for my husband and me. (Don't tell him they are done if you see him - he has to wait until Valentine's Day!) I absolutely love them and can't wait to get them.
Visit her shop and pick out your favorite piece! I warn you - picking just one piece won't be an easy decision!!!!
http://jewelrybymignon.etsy.com/


In other matters - I did a bit of printmaking this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed myself! I am making some notecards with matching envelopes. Should be finishing the envelopes and listing a couple on etsy later this week.

We spent the better part of the weekend getting everything ready and installing my booth at Southern Treasures in Brookhaven. I don't have any tatting or printmaking there, yet. I should get that all finished and placed later this week, but if you are in the area be sure and stop and look around at what is available!

I managed to make a pair of tatted earrings to match a choker I finished last weekend, and I tatted 4 bookmarks while "watching" the Superbowl!


What do you think of the choker and earrings. I plan to make more of these. The stones are garnets. I thought they turned out nicely.




This is one of the four bookmarks I worked up. Very "Valentiney"

More printmaking...

I managed to make a good start on a print based on a photo I took of a zebra. I think it'll work nicely for notecards. I am thinking hot pink/turquoise/lime green? Let me know what you think. I plan on pulling a proof tonight (if life cooperates :-D) and I'll try to post what I get tomorrow! Maybe - just maybe - I'll manage to get some listed in my etsy shop!
I spent a good portion of the early morning insisting that my daughter was going to go to school, while she spent an equal amount of time insisting she wasn't. Anyone know any reallllllllyyyyy good (and non-medicinal) remedies for a nervous 8 year old tummy? A chronically nervous 8 year old tummy?

Also I am thrilled and looking forward to receiving some jewelry a very talented, fellow etsy seller has created just for me and my husband! Be sure to check out her store and check out her beauties! http://jewelrybymignon.etsy.com/

New fixation!

Ok. Folks that know me know that I easily get fixated on things! Right now I am obsessed with an article in a Book Arts Publication called Ampersand. (If anybody knows how I can get my hands on one of these feel free to let me know ;-D) The article is about modifying a credit card imprinter so that you can use it as a relief printmaking press of sorts. Of course if there was an easier/cheaper way for me to get my hands on a press I'd be obsessed with that as well. I love printmaking and have been away from it for WAY too long (since college!).
I did manage a few "pulls" of an eraser cut I whipped out last night.
What do you think? I know the colors in the eraser (that's it in the lower left) are distracting, but they were - um - well Dirt Cheap!

NOTE: Whooppeeeeee! I found the last copy available of the Ampersand publication that I wanted!!!!!