Happy Groundhog Day!

 It was sunny this morning, so I believe the groundhog saw his shadow. The tradition forecasts how many more weeks of winter we will have. The way it is going, we're still in for a bit more! January was very chilly with a lot of stretches of bitter cold! I missed being able to take outdoor walks, as the cold often came with very windy days! 

I've been working on the Bobcat block print. After our visit from the gorgeous animal, I was inspired by the colors of the snow, the trees, and the cat itself. There was so much white to carve away, it took a long time to move onto the inking of the blue shadows. The edition is 16 prints, and I do the printing of each, by hand with a wooden spoon or a baren. 

This is the block with white areas carved out

The light blue ink applied

A light first layer

I used a stencil to block out the rest of the block when I focused on the bobcat.

This where I am now. I've printed several layers on the bobcat's body, and one layer of brown on the rest of the image. I have a few darker areas to add to the fur and eyes, as well as some variations in the branches. 

The next step will be the carving away of most of the bobcat, leaving only the darkest spots for inking.

I'll update when there is more to show! Have a good week! And stay warm!

Happy New Year!!

 Looking out the window on a rainy New Year's Day 2025. Thank goodness we had fresh snow for Christmas, which made the day even more traditionally festive! We even had a special visitor to our yard.

A Bobcat

 Attracted by the bird feeder activity

A big yawn and stretch before leaving

                                                                

I hope we will have another sighting of this beautiful animal! 

Now that the holidays are over, I will be looking for inspiration for my next printmaking project. I may try one incorporating the bobcat, as the white snow makes for a nice contrast. We have also had bluebirds at the feeders again this year, and their colors are so striking.

While I get ready to take down the Christmas tree, and put away decorations, I wish good health and happiness to all in the new year! 

The Finished Rocks! N. Hampton Beach Print

 Good news! I finished the "Rocks on N. Hampton Beach this week. Yesterday I added another blended layer of blue to the sky. The rocks were so dark in value, and very detailed, while the sky needed more "pop" to stand out. I am happy with the final version!

The finished print in a 13" x 15" double mat.

We are enjoying a nice spell of mild weather here in New England. The temperatures have been in the 70s for over a week. There are a couple of cooler days ahead, then back to the warmth through Halloween. Great to get the last of the yard and garden work done!

Rocks on North Hampton Beach

 Summer is officially over, and I'm working on a new print inspired by the many walks I've taken on North Hampton Beach this year. I loved seeing the cairns that people would build precariously on the rocks at the end of the beach.

The beginning stages of carving out the lightest areas.

One layer of ink on the rocks, then a blended sky. I used Akua inks, Arches paper and a Soft-Kut block.

 

Adding the water. (I used a stencil to separate the rocks from the sky)

Adding some texture to the water.

Adding a bit more value to the rocks, as well as a cooler tone to some areas.

As of today, this is the state of the block. Spent quite a few hours carving away the various textures on the rocks. The next and final inking will hopefully define the darkest shadows on all the rocks.

This block is 8" x 10" and will be a hand-printed edition of 12. I'm looking forward to posting the finished image very soon!

Jane

August Art

 How can it be August already? The summer is flying by! We recently returned from a week at the beach, and had a great time, especially since the temperatures have been very high, as well as the humidity!

I took a lot of photos, and tried to get some new images that I can use for  my next block prints. 

The last print I made in my series of shells and other sea creatures, is completed in time for the Uncommon Art on the Common show tomorrow.

Sketch, stencil, and print

I used an Arches paper, Akua inks, and a baron to hand print this small edition of 14 prints.

Stay cool!

Jane

Inspired by Summer and the Seashore

 I've been working on a couple of small prints of seashells. So far I've done a block print of a scallop, and another of the "yin and yang" of a mussel shell.

I'm participating in the Uncommon Art on the Common in Goffstown again this year. It also happens to be the 15th anniversary of the event, and will take place on Saturday August 3rd.

The little block prints that I've been working on are quite small at 5" x 5", and will be matted to fit an 8" x 8". frame. I'd like to complete one more in the series before August 3rd. The question is, what kind of shell will be next. I have a variety of local New England shells that have been saved over the years, and I'm looking over my collection for the right one.

   

         

                   

Summer officially arrives on June 20th, and if the forecasters are correct, it looks like it may be a 90 degree scorcher! Stay cool!

Jane

"On the Rocks 2"-the finished print!

 I finished the finish layer of the "On the Rocks 2" block print this week. It was a complicated design, one in which I used a variety of stencils to mask out sections that I wanted to keep separate from the areas I was working on.

I'm pleased overall with the finished image! I wanted to get it done in time for the Members' Show at the Two Villages Art Society gallery in Contoocook, that opens later in May. Also I'll have it for sale in my Etsy Shop---JGTentas.

Looking forward to some warmer spring weather! It's been a bit chilly and rainy here in New England. Lots of daffodils blooming though, which is very cheerful! 

Happy weekend to all!