ArtDate- Printmaking Month!

Printmaking is so much fun! It is a combination of freedom and precision. The letters, in all different fonts and sizes, manipulated into words and design.  I love the fact that how the words are placed on the page can enhance the viewer's pleasure or how the right font can be everything! (Well, that is just the way I feel!!)

I have spent the last month at the print studio, trying out new designs and printing, printing, printing

It is such a satisfying experience, with so many mistakes to made, things to be learned and prints to be printed!

Till next time, 

Karen

Art Date: William Morris

Detail of The Strawberry Thief by William Morris

"Any design is futile...when it does not remind you of something beyond itself"

William Morris is best known for his textile art. During his design career in the mid to late 1800's , he emphasized a return to hand made values learning tapestry and hand block printing. William loved naturalism and ornamentation  and was inspired by the greenery and flowers of his own garden. He also studied the illuminated pages of old manuscripts and late medieval tapestries. His company designed curtains, tiles, wall hangings, upholstery, wall paper and rugs and even designed stained glass windows!

Detail- William Morris

Morris devoted most of his later life to the Kelmscott Press. Here he designed the books, the typefaces, made his own paper and printed his books by hand. Wow! I love this guy! ( Oh and he had time to be a poet, novelist and social activist too)

For as long as my memory serves, I have been intrigued by his floral designs and vivid, lush patterns and colours. So lately, I have been saturating myself with pictures of his work. The photos show a few of the results. I hope that my drawings reflect but a bit of the beauty and love of nature and devotion that Morris had for his craft.

xo Karen

Art Date: Beautiful Nature!

 Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.

-Albert Einstein

 

What a gorgeous day to be out in the park with a whole slew of other people enjoying the same thing- the beauty, the weather, the flowers, the play and just being together!

I took my camera and was able to capture some snippets of natural beauty. It is so important to take the time to get out in nature and experience all of her inspiration and awe.

The English Garden at Assiniboine Park was billowing with color and texture. The Duck Pond was surrounded by families picnicking and watching the waterfowl. 

And we cannot forget those mischievous groundhogs :)

It was an exhilarating visit!

I hope your day includes some outdoor time.

 xo

Art Date: In the Studio

Even when we are doing something that we love, there are times that we need to awaken our creativity!

When I am feeling this need, I sometimes take myself on an "Art Date" in the studio. This allows for a time-out from my "work" art and frees up time to do a personal project. I may experiment with different mediums or maybe try something I have put off for whatever reason!

This set of drawings on paper were done with pen and ink and watercolors.

I laid down the color and when it was completely dry, went back and drew with ink.

On the drawing just beneath, I added some colored pencil to the drawing and rather liked the affect.

It was very energizing!

"Yay" to giving ourselves permission to play!

xo

Art Date: the ZOO

 

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the zoo for the first time since the Journey to Churchill exhibit opened! It was wonderful to be out in the chilly air and watch the animals doing their thing.

The polar bear area was spectacular, but alas, we went at nap time, so the swimming and playing was not happening :( Luckily one bear arose to take a look around and I was able to capture his loveliness in the late afternoon light.

It was an inspiring and crisp afternoon and it was a great chance to practice using the new telephoto lens! The lens made such a difference in capturing these beautiful beasts!

I hope you enjoy-

Karen

Next week: letterpress update!

(these little puffs are arctic foxes!)

Art Date- Letterpress Cards!

 So, a couple of weeks ago, I was in the studio making letterpress cards. It had been a a number of weeks since the course ended and it took a few days to get re-familiarized with the presses, the tools and how to set the letters properly- having my course teacher around a bit of the time to ask when I was stuck was very helpful :) By day 4 (ha-ha), I was off and running. It was so much fun and full of learning, creativity...and lots of cards!

Here are a few of the results of the week....hope you enjoy!

Next time: new stone designs!!!

xo

Art Date: Walk at the Forks

 There were lots of wonderful moments on this lovely day at The Forks Historic Site.
There were people, music and sunshine in abundance. We also wandered over the bustling Esplanade Riel to visit the St. Boniface Basilica. What a stunning afternoon of architecture, history and community. 
I hope you have a chance to enjoy the sunshine today. Have a beautiful one!

Art Date: Etching Class!

  One of the items on my 2014 Check List was to take an art course. 
 I am happy to say that I completed an intaglio class at Martha Street Printmaking Studio!
It was such a joy to learn some new skills...besides some art related ones, I learned to slow down and be patient. I was also happy to find out that my brain was ok with all this new stuff!  
In intaglio (etching), you work on copper. The plate is prepared and coated with a hard ground which you then draw your design into. The copper that is exposed by the drawing is etched in an acid bath. I worked many, many hours on my two designs: drawing, then etching, reapplying ground and etching again. It is such an interesting and thoughtful process.  I have included some pictures of one of my plates from intaglio class and will be sharing some pictures from my new Letterpress class (Yay!) on Instagram 
over the next few weeks.
P.S. I hope that you are inspired to try a new class in anything that intrigues you!

Here is the copper plate I etched, inked up and ready to print.

The plate is put on the press...

And a piece of wet (but not too wet) beautiful paper is placed carefully on the plate.

Felt clothes are placed over the paper and plate. I  then used the big "captain's wheel" to roll the plate through the heavy rollers.

Then, like a gift, you pull off the paper and voila! A print.

Below is a clean plate and a print with some drawing tools!

xo

Art Date- Collections

Why do you collect?

Interest in a subject, passion, sentimentality?
Certain items trigger lovely memories, connect us to our past,
or just make us happy with their uniqueness.
( I guess there is eBay too!)

Sometimes I love sitting and sorting through my little collections. It is like a mini escape into another world.
I love creamers, rocks (no kidding!), beach glass, driftwood and
and old metal cookie tins.

What do you collect?
xo Karen

PS Show schedule and special announcement October 15th!!!!