standing stones .....

One of the things I most enjoy about the three dimensional aspect of these prints is the way the light plays with the surfaces, teases out the folds and hides in shadows.  This doesn't seem to happen as much with the two dimensions.

I am finishing these off now as they head over to Maleny soon for my little exhibition - or display really.  I will be over there in the street though for two days explaining to the public 'what makes an artist's book' and also doing some demonstrations.  Apparently some of the authors who are in Maleny for the Celebration of Books will be in the street talking to passers by as well, signing their books I imagine and explaining their creative processes.  I enjoy that side of things - explaining the process. Most people have no idea how much work goes into printmaking, nor indeed into artist's books.

Standing Stones .... I like this grouping as a triptych 

couldn't resist some piercing for texture

If any of you are in Maleny over the weekend please come by and say hello - the display runs from Friday this week till about Tuesday next week. I am only going to be there on Saturday and Sunday from about 10am till 2pm - or a little later if people are wandering by and looking interested!

waiting for finishing touches 

Almost ready .....

It has been a really busy time in the studio and my standing stories are taking shape.  Had a meeting with Sheila from Maleny Additions on Friday, who is promoting me as a book artist during the Maleny Celebration of Books and converting her shopfront into a showcase of my work.  What a privilege. I will be there over the celebration weekend talking about my books and showing various techniques of book making and binding.  I am planning to start a little teaching again next year and so this will be a great opportunity to see what interest is about.

I am quietly excited about these standing stories - all of these are part of my 'short stories' - nothing over about 80cms.  They are all printed with etchings and embossings.  As yet they are not stuck down as I am contemplating a few with stitching.  I prefer the 'keep it simple' principle but I do want to have a play.  After all, these are just the first ideas - plenty more to come.  These are only two of my stories 'Winter' and 'The Seasons' but by the time I exhibit I hope to have my abstract story done, my kite flying and standing stones done.  Depends how time pans out.  The next couple of days I need to dedicate to the printing of my fourty bookplates.  They are due by Friday.

As you can see, I have ventured from my very earthy palette into brighter tones - autumnal and harmonious but still way brighter than I usually work.  Must say I am loving the rich reds and ochres, even the purples.

More work to be done so once again, a post on the run.

next story - seasons .....

For the last couple of days I have been working on another 'story' - another standing story.  Below are the starting points, sugar lift, fine line etching and some open biting.

Starting to get an idea, or ideas, of how I will print these.  I am cutting out an embossing which will need to be larger than size of paper on which I will print and the embossings will represent summer.  I didn't think that four different styles of etching would look good together so will keep summer, the brightest of the seasons, the most subtle with embossing instead of print.

The introduction of colour in the 'spring' plate works well I think.  All looks a little autumnal at present so will need to try in some other colour ways.

Now I am waiting impatiently for the etching ink to dry so that I can sculpt my story. May not be able to do so until later this week. I keep folding my work before it is dry and getting dirty inky marks all over the print!

short stories and my new best friend .....

I have been taking time in the studio whenever I have been able to this last week and now have a couple of weeks where I can probably find four or five days a week.  Thrilling.  And tiring - forget just how involved the etching process can be and how easy it is to mess up a lovely piece of copper.

I am pleased with this 'short story' though and have tried printing it in different colour ways.  I have yet to stick them down as I am going to experiment with some stitching which I hope will add to the design rather that complicate it.

Printed vertically, these etching plates remind me very much of landscape and bare winter trees.  When I was playing with the blending colour, I printed a couple of the plates horizontally and they look exactly like weathered  tree trunks and dry branches.  Had I intended to etch weathered trunks I probably could not have reached a result that I have now serendipitously!  Very pleased about that as I can then match with other plates or embossings and tell a different short story.

These are printed on Lanaquarelle 100% cotton paper, hot pressed, 300 gsm and I think I prefer it to the Arches Moulin du Gue -  though each different printmaking paper will have its own application.

Introducing my new best friend ... A gorgeous embosser that I had made and am addicted to already.  The minute it arrived I started embossing everything to hand.  "seb" - susan elizabeth bowers -  is my studio name and logo as well.