Linocut of Daffodils

Here is a linocut print of the last drawing of daffodils I did. The image is 9x12 on 12 x 18" Hosho paper (basically one sheet torn in half). Out of 8 prints only 5 were consistant enough to edition. I also have three working proofs and a ghost.

My next project is a silkscreen print of these same daffodils using 8 colors.

Here is my silkscreen of those daffodil buds. I found there were a lot of bubbles in the ink screened onto the paper. The instructor thinks it's because I didn't apply enough pressure onto the squeegee while printing. I think this may be because I was using a 9" plastic speedball squeegee. I found the rubber edge was too thin and would bend when I applied pressure. I will order a better quality 10" squeegee for doing smaller works in the future. In the meantime the next assignment may be a larger print so I will use the better quality 14" squeegee I bought, the rubber edge is thicker and will be less likely to bend under pressure.

Next I will transfer the newer daffodil drawing to a lino block for a linocut in my Relief & Monoprint class. I will also need to think about what I will do next in my silkscreen class, we will be doing screens with photo emulsion next. I wonder how random splatters on 3 masters will work when over printed onto paper...

Daffodil Monotype

Well I tried a handpulled monotype with these daffodils. I have an assignment in my Monoprint & Relief Printing class to pull a multidrop monotype where we put some colors on a plate, hand burnish it onto paper, add more colors onto the plate then with careful registration hand burnish onto the previous sheet of paper. I thought I would do a small (9x12") version of these daffodils before I did the larger more complex ideas I had proposed for this assignment. In this class we are using etching inks that have been thinned with linseed oil. 1-I don't care to use etching inks for this and 2-hand burnishing for monotype is a lame waste of time, medium and paper! I leave behind more ink on the plate than gets onto the paper; unless I overmix linseed oil into the inks then it bleeds into the paper...no sir I don't care for hand burnishing monoprints. Give me a press or let me just do woodcuts! Which leads to the next project using these daffodils...

Next week we will be doing a linocut. I think the daffy dilly drawing in the previous posting will be perfect for a linocut! ~PPC

More Daffodils

Here is a pencil sketch of some daffodils that were beaten down during a rainstorm. I cut them and put them in my favorite golden end of the day glass bud vase (given to me several years ago by my sister) and cut some onion stalks for wispy greenery.

I was working on an exercise in a book titled "Drawing as a Sacred Activity." I bought the book because I was feeling a little dry inspirationally and thought the exercises might get the creative juices flowing. This exercise was to draw something that represented "vertical attributes" I felt I was lacking. This is as a prayer to try and manifest those attributes into my life.

These daffodils were so droopy when I put them in the vase that their heads were pointed to the ground. I admire the way these daffodils sprung to life, straightened up and appear to be trumpeting to the heavens. I think this demonstrates vertical attributes of vitality and ability to spring back from adversity; attributes I feel lacking since the loss of my mother in August and would like to bring back into my daily life and art making. Mom would have loved the vibrant yellow and glowing energy of these flowers as well since her favorite color (like mine) was yellow.

I plan to do a small color monotype of this and later use this sketch for a lino cut assignment I have coming up in one of my printmaking classes ~PPC~

Silkscreen Stencils

These are my stencils for an upcoming silkscreen to be printed this week.

Preparing to do a color seperation for a print of those daffodil buds...

Daffy Dilly

Monoprints of the drawing I did yesterday of Daffodil buds.

Illustration Friday "Sprout"

A robin called to me, "Come see, Come see, Come see what I bring."
So lured outdoors armed with pad of paper and box of crayons
I sit upon the grass and record Spring's first offerings.
Spots of bright yellow and blue green springing from
Beneath crisp brown leaf litter.
Tight golden flags hint at what's about to unfurl.
Warmer days to come with Daffy Dillies trumpeting Springs arrival.