by toying with ideas
Being a long-time printmaker and one who does not like to throw away anything that might be useful, I have a huge number of proofs even after throwing away the worst of them over the years for lack of space. I wish I could organize them in some way in my small home studio.
I have long been toying with ideas for recycling these printmaking elements. Sure, I have made some cards from small collages now and then. I once even took inspiration from artist Clive Hicks-Jenkins to make an owl-woman maquette from cut out pieces of proofs. Larger mixed media works with some new-to-me techniques like encaustics might be exciting to try.
And of course this is the time of year to make Christmas cards.
I need motivation.
November 20, 2013 in Being an Artist, Printmaking by Marja-Leena
Snap! I have just ordered a compass cutter (what I discovered a circle cutter is called over here) for the purpose of playing with my not-thrown-away stuff. But yes, motivation can be slippery, and is different for each of us. I now find that I have to relax into letting the ideas percolate through in their own time while generally doing research on the subject in question.
I look forward to seeing what you do. By the way, I love the photo, its colours and marks – but, what is it?
Olga, I found your three comments in the spam, thanks to your email. I don’t know why since you are a regular approved commenter – sorry! WordPress handles the comments differently from what I’ve been used to – must check that from now on.
I’m not sure what a compass or circle cutter is. I use a mat knife and also have a too small guillotine if that’s the right word. There’s a large one somewhere but it is not square unfortunately.
That’s an image both mysterious and very pretty – hand made paper, perhaps?
I’m sorry you lost access to your larger studio where I’m sure there was a lot of mutual energy providing motivation and inspiration. Still, if this is just an example, I’m sure you have a lot to keep you interested and entertained.
This year I remembered to order cards made from some of my pictures. The only time I made a deliberate effort to paint one for the Christmas season it didn’t turn out well.
Susan, this is a small piece of a larger digital print colour test on inexpensive proofing paper. Those textures do seem to make one think of hand made paper which is probably why I hung on to it.
I do miss my artist friends and the large studio and facilities though I have taken time out before. It is often a time to catch up with non-art work at home and a time to think about ‘what next?’ in my work. There’s always the organization, the framing, the documentation. I still do photography and this blog, thanks for that!
Good for you in getting your cards printed – are they from your paintings or photos? Years ago I hand printed etchings as cards but that was a lot of work when doing a hundred! Inkjet prints are faster but still take time. I often did those at home with my trusty desktop printer, sometimes at the studio on large sheets but then there was all the cutting. Sitting on the fence this year… the clock is ticking…
I do love the colours in the image up on top. Did you use something like that in a print – I have a vague memory of a photograph of the floor in the studio? that was then used in one of your prints …?
I so agree with you about missing the camaraderie of other printmakers as well as the facilities. It is somehow much more difficult to get going without that. But I’m sure that once you get down to it all will follow swimmingly. Motivation can be difficult. Some like deadlines, but for me it’s the idea that drives me. If I’m procrastinating I find that doing specific research gets me in the mood at the very least.
I also am toying with ideas of collages from not-for-use prints, and I have also thought about encaustic. (Daniella Woolf’s is an interesting website: http://www.daniellawoolf.com ) I’m lucky that I only make cards for three very close friends, and I’m about to embark on that task today.
Good luck!
Olga, what a great memory you have! Yes, the original photo is of the print studio floor and yes it was used in ARKEO #1 and ARKEO #2. The image above is obviously a colour trial proof for the latter.
I agree about all you say about motivation. It eludes me when I’ve been away from my work for a while. Besides the stimulation of other artists, the expense and the routine of going outside home to work give me a push. It will come, I know, probably once I start organizing all the stuff I brought home from the print studio, in the new year most likely as there are too many other distractions ahead.
Thanks for the supportive comments and good wishes, I value them! Oh, and the link which I will check in the morning. Must go back to bed now.
Olga, I have just looked at Woolf’s site – lovely, lovely work indeed. I like her books. I’ve seen and loved similar work and it’s been one idea that I’ve been toying with. I haven’t had any experience with it but with all the proofs I have it might be worth just messing about and trying it! Have you made any?
Marja-Leena,
maybe I have whispered it before, but here I go again: I hate Christmas! No, not the old way, in my grandmother’s farm, in dark time, only oil lamps and candles to light up the big tupa, as there was no electricity. And the old way of spreading dried hay on the floor, and Christmas tree only with all world’s flags on it, and the guilded star on the top of the spruce.
This what is going on now, is nothing compared to that feeling. Us children were brought from Christmas sauna next to the barn (and cows and sheep and chickens sounding on top of hitting löyly!), animals noticeably exited about something strange going on. Then on St Stephen’s day go for a horse sledge (?) ride on the stiff freeze and covered with lamb fleece blankets.
Now there is money sounding on top of everything. I have the feeling that the poverty is best Christmas gift that we can give to anybody. And simplicity of the season. Clean things. Love, maybe, if possible?
Of course, one part of all this are hand made Christmas-cards! Maybe it’s not the worst sin of making a photo from the own camera being one?
But be kind to yourselves, and don’t overwork for the holiday too much, all of you!
Ripsa, you have lovely old traditions to remember! I too dislike the commercialization of Christmas. We do try to keep it simple and family-focused. I like the decorating, again fairly simple and using the old collected decorations and gifts from the garden rather than buying new. As I’ve gotten older, I do ever less, especially with the baking as we all have certain food sensitivities and allergies. It’s lovely to have the younger generations take over some of that. And a few times now, we have gone to one of their homes for Christmas which gives me the biggest break.
As for Christmas cards, I have noticed fewer and fewer coming in and many are now emails. So I might just print only a few this year and certainly am thinking of a photo again. I still have some older ones left that I could use for any new friends.
That Owl-Woman maquette you made was very beautiful You should make some more,
(-;
C xxx
Clive! Thank you! You really encouraged me to make that back then and I enjoyed it. I just may make more – we’ll see in the new year where my work leads me.