I seriously thought it would be easier…

When I signed up for the Printmaking Exchange Six. There was no specific method of printmaking required, which means I could use my half-ass but works ways… Since I don’t do woodblock which seems to be extremely popular (I really wanna try woodblock, but it’s just too expensive to start with the tools and such.) I do bastardized lithography and lino cut, which are both nice and cheap and effective. The theme was also open. AND I signed up when I had sixty+ days to do it

I didn’t, until just within the past two weeks, finally come up with a design, and now I’m starting to feel the pressure. I designed it, and well, due to the… detail… I may not be able to do it in linocut, which is what I wanted to do. Because it’s faster and less messy than lithography. But I don’t think I’ll be able to work all the detail in a simple linocut without it being like… a complete mess… So now I’m thinking I should go back to lithography. Because I really like it, and you get a lot of detail, but the cons are that it will take FOREVER if I have to do 12 prints.

So just NOW I thought maybe I’ll stick with linocut and just not worry about the details and make it look more spontaneous. It might be faster… but then again, I’d have to cut out like… 6 blocks!!

I’d need 6 plates (15 copies) of each for lithography for incase of mistakes and extra prints. Which happens fast with a copy machine, HOWEVER, I’d need to cut and prep EACH piece of paper (that’s 90 pieces) for printing. Then make 12 prints one piece of paper at a time.

For lino, I’d just need to crack out 6 plates carved, and then just start printing. I guess I’ll go for lino. I did wanna work on lino some more.

I think I need some input

Since I’m participating in printmakers.info print exchange 6, the theme is ‘homage’ interpreted as you will. But I don’t really have any visions for it. So let me ask you this:

When you think of the word “Homage” what do you think of?

Now I have a reason

I’ve been wanted to make more prints lately, but I haven’t managed to bring myself to. Sad isn’t it? How come I always get great big plans but when it comes time to implement them, I can’t do it? Horrible.

Well this time I’ve forced a deadline to be creative onto myself by signing up to participate in Printmakers.info Print Exchange Six. The theme is homage and the the deadline is July 5th. So I’ve given myself a goal. Now to just… come up with an idea!! Hopefully I won’t have a creative block. I’m very excited about this because one of the prints I actually come up with will be put on display [somewhere that i can't remember.] I’ve even added a counter over there –> so I can time myself. Oh, and by the way, I linked myself on Printmakers.info, yay!! Do you make prints? Go there!

On another note, yesterday I scored some pre-stretched cheap-o canvas-paper canvases that my work was gonna throw away. Woo hoo! I’m gonna gesso the crap out of the cheap print on the front and create somethin’ pretty. I scored 3 square ones that and 1 long one. I dont know the exact sizes but they’re pretty good in size. I can’t wait. I’m gonna dig out what sampler paintstiks I have and go to town. Plus I’m gonna order a new set and maybe some extra ones too. This way I can actually oil paint without having to “paint”. I can draw my paintings… (which I’m better at anyway.)

1:48pm
Well I just spent my lunch break drawing out another design for print. It’s a jellyfish and I think it will be about…. 2 or 3 plates. We’ll see. I have to sit and plan the carving just a little better, but here’s a sneakpeek.

I feel accomplished.

Today the participants of the Periodic Table Printmaking Project got notice that our prints will likely be put on display at the Chemical Heritage Foundation’s new exhibit space in Philly. (45min away for me. yay!)

Dates are pending, but I’m so excited! I’ll have to encourage my friends to go see it because I’m so proud. (and i’m crazy)

Swirly-snail-to-be

So the other day I brought in a small scrap of linoleum to draw a design on while I had some free time at work.

Well that took all of 5 minutes and I came up with some sort of swirly-snail design that’s only going to be one layer. I dunno. I guess I should figure out more plates to layer with. I should have brought more linoleum.