Two steps forward..

..Three steps back...

I took a couple of proofs of that lino I've been working on, if you enlarge you will be able to read ALL of my notes.... The lino is now in the bin! 

* Note to myself

Take proof prints to see how things are progressing..

On the up-side I did this print of Essex beach huts.... and I'm happier.

'Summer'

3" x 3"

I'm pleased with the movement, the waves, and the kites dancing on the wind and how the clouds echo the waves.

Disappointing results

Beach-hut collagraph and plate

My dear little book press is not the right thing to use I fear...After another day of disappointments and not understanding where I am going wrong I can only assume that an etching press is what I need for this work as I am not getting the pressure, It's that steep learning curve again, but what a roller-coaster, I love it.

..So, now I am on the look out for a second hand etching press...

Fingers crossed, toes crossed... I might have to do the lottery...

pod

Wood cut, starting with a simple image.. It is such a difficult medium, aim the tool one way and it shoots off in another direction....A LOT of practice needed with this one, but exciting results are to be had I'm sure.

*Must remember to buy a lottery ticket..

Love and Beach-huts

That love thing....

 

Lino print

I'm quite pleased with this little print...A lot of movement in a subject that can sometimes be so static

..I've just got to have words with the doggy photographer..

Collagraph plate ready to print... 

First prints were a disaster... so bad that I have thrown them away.

Two posts in one day...

I have been to a couple of printing workshops at Cuckoo Farm just recently and had a most wonderful time re-learning how to print.. It's been a long time...

So, putting into practice what I've learn't...  I decided on a collagraph print showing the view from the river's edge, just a few minutes from where I live... looking over to Fingringhoe, here is my attempt..Trying to keep it simple, ending up complicated.. 4 plates.. must be mad!

Getting the plates ready for inking up..

Print not too bad...

Remember.....

I'm still in trainer pants and on a stee_____p!...learning curve.

Plates after printing... And cleaning

I quite like them... 

In fact I like them a lot.

 

 So with a little rearrangement.. I love them.

 A happy out come.. 

*Lesson to be learned - Don't get ink on my foot and walk through the house after printing in the studio - Foot 'prints' (excuse the pun) are a problem to get out of a wool carpet... It took me ages.

Progress report collagraph and Grace

Collagraph....Thinking first!!!...

...About bits of wallpaper and cardboard and where to stick them?

Well that's got to be a first for me, I'm far too impatient..

...And Grace, drying amongst the glue pots and sissors.

First collagraphs

A morning of exploration.. my friend Carol and I had a go at collagraph printing

Not mine...  I hasten to add

They were absolute rubbish... so I've just posted Carol's. 

I was too impatient but enjoyed the process and will definitly give it another go, hopefully next week.

Lino print

'stifled'

Emperor Claudius

Emperor Claudius
My latest Drypoint print.

(The original bronze is in Colchester Museum, which is just a short bus ride away from me.  Claudius captured Colchester in AD 43)

Recycling at it's very best...

She is very very old...even older than me
...some might argue that point!

She is made of brass and iron
... and lots of chipped paint...

She is mechanical... Low maintenance..
No electricity is needed.
(sounds like I'm describing myself)

Have you guessed what she is yet?

I am now the very proud owner of a small book binders press.

My first drypoint plate.. not looking too bad
considering that I haven't done this for a long long time.
First print....... disaster!!!
How could I be so rubbish at this?

This is what I managed after several attempts

My little seahorse looks quite happy with herself and so do I.

'Blue sky moments'
(The story of how I became the proud owner of a book binders press)

During the very dark week that I had at the beginning of the month, my daughter and grandson rescued me and took me out for a little drive to a lovely village just a few miles away... mainly to scour the charity shops and see what bargain's could be found... A good distraction technique you don't have to buy anything just get out of the house and out of your thoughts. We could have just gone for a walk, but my daughter loves charity shops, we laugh and say that she is obsessed by them.

Any way getting back to the point... 'The press'... We were just about to leave and decided to have a quick peep in a second hand shop that we had missed, what was in the window waiting for me... you have guessed, some would say that Samantha had something to do with it, in some strange way I can almost believe that she might have, her degree at Winchester School of Art was in textile design, and lots of the work that she produced was with print.. so there is a loose connection or maybe it's a strong one who knows........ If she led us to the press that day....... It was definitely a blue sky moment for me..... It has cheered me up no end........

Thank you my darlings for rescuing me that day xxx