I've been working on a new reduction block print this month, of a winter beach in Well's Maine. I've come back to this same subject, one that I previously used in other print. That one focused more on the sky and water than this one, which focuses on the rocks. I'm drawn to the colors of winter landscapes. There are so many grays and other neutral tones, which really appeal to me. This color palette works well for a reduction block, as the colors layer well. I like the texture of the rocky shore with all the different shapes and hues.
Monday, January 23, 2023
Stony Beach Block Print
Thursday, December 29, 2022
The last days of 2022
In a couple of days, we say goodbye to 2022. The winter solstice has passed, and tiny bits of sunlight are being added each day. The pre-Christmas hustle and bustle has left us with empty boxes and wrapping paper to be stored away. The week between Christmas and New Years Day, leaves me with the hangover of cheer, along with the inclination to ruminate on the things undone, but also the sense of a clean slate ahead. It's a time to start afresh, and to be thankful for life's blessings. Happy New Year!
Friday, October 28, 2022
Past Peak Foliage and a New Print
As the month of October is rapidly reaching its end, I have been capturing a few images of the waning colors.
Goffstown Stream
It's part of an edition of 16, and I'll be putting it in my Etsy shop soon. Also getting ready for the Two Villages Art Society's Members Show in Contoocook, NH. The show runs from November 25-December 24th. and is a great place to shop for gifts!Bye for now! Happy Halloween!
Monday, September 12, 2022
Island Light print progress
Just about finished with my Island Light 2 print. I have a few individual prints that need a little touching up, but the bulk of the process is completed. I found that the darkest color ink mix that I was using, wasn't adhering to the paper as well as I would like. One issue that can happen, relates to the temperature and humidity of the studio. It has been very warm, so the ink was thinner than usual. I ordered some Akua Mag Mix, which is a magnesium based paste that can be added into the ink to stiffen it up. I think that was helpful. Below is the state of the Soft-Kut block after all the layers. were carved away.
This is the finished print made with the following layers:
"Rainbow roll" sky for a gradation of colors
Pale blue
light medium blue
medium blue
green
dark blue
blue/black
I'll have this print available on my Etsy shop, JGTentas, as soon as they are dry enough to ship!
Have a wonderful week!
Monday, August 15, 2022
"Island Light" continued
It's hard to believe that it is mid-August already! The summer always seems to fly by so quickly! When I was a full-time teacher, I'd be savoring the last couple of weeks, and trying to change my mindset about going back to work. Now I'm thinking how lovely the weather can be in September!
I'm still working on the "Island Light" (version 2) reduction block print. The lighter tones have been printed, and I've been doing a lot of carving in preparation for the darker areas on the windows and roofs.
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Mid-summer Printmaking
I'm writing this in the midst of a summer heat wave. Looks like a week of 90 degree weather will run through the weekend, with occasional thunderstorms and high humidity. When it's this warm, I like to hunker down by the fan/AC, and catch up on indoor tasks!
Thanks to air conditioning I've been able to work on my latest print. This print is a re-do of of an older one using the same subject matter, but a little larger, and hopefully as well-liked as the first.
Monday, June 6, 2022
Happy June!
It's so wonderful to see the flowers blooming again, to hear the wrens trilling in the early morning, and to get out and enjoy the warm sunshine! Of course it's not all wonderful, with the black flies buzzing around one's head in the garden, and the woodchucks popping by to nibble the perennials, but overall it's still glorious after a cold winter and rainy spring. We finally had to put away all the bird feeders after a few nocturnal visits from a bear. We're still hanging up a suet feeder during the day, and bringing it in at night, as there is constant activity from catbirds, nuthatches, a variety of woodpeckers, blue jays, sparrows, and mockingbirds. Also the hummingbirds are back after their incredible journey from the southern hemisphere. It's hard to imagine those tiny birds migrating great distances!