Lobster Print

I just posted my new "lobster" print on my Etsy shop. I'm really excited about a new block printing material that I used for this project. I used a Gomuban plate that I've learned is a regular staple in Japanese classrooms. It's much softer than linoleum, but firmer than Easy-cut. It carves beautifully and can be printed using a press. Most of my other prints are printed by hand using the Easy-cut blocks, but this material is definitely something that I'm going to explore. The thickness of the Gomuban is only about an 1/8 of an inch, with blue on one side and green on the other, with a black core. The Akua inks that I used for the lobster print went onto the block nice and thin. Using a template on the press as well as pins and tabs, gave me strong color and excellent registration.

Plate on left with 2 color print stage on right

Final stage, wrapped and ready to go!

I'm also in the middle of another printing project using an Easy-cut block of a rushing stream. My daughter took the photo, but she is not sure exactly where it was taken---somewhere north of Plymouth.  It's similar to another mountain stream piece I finished recently. The Easy-cut is handy when I'm working at home without a printing press.

Feeling like summer is flying by way to quickly! So many projects, so little time!

*McClain's Printmaking Supply Catalog carries the Gomuban plates, and will send a free sample if requested.

Illustration Friday "nature"

Nature 

Having a little fun with the mouse I like to draw! Wish I had a hammock in a cool shady spot right now. Heading into another stretch of 90 degree weather with high humidity this week. I think I'll stay in front of the fan and work on my projects. No real complaints from me--I'll take summer in all its extremes rather than the ice and snow of winter!

Posting this illustration on time this week on the Illustration Friday site! Yay!

"Treasure"

Another late one for Illustration Friday. The prompt was "treasure" last week. I tend to be the collector of old family memorabilia and genealogy stuff. I'm always curious about the stories behind the photos and postcards, and other correspondence that has been saved.

I'm working on a couple of new prints this week. One of a lobster, and another one of rocks and a rushing river. My new kitten"Wiley" is a bit of a distraction. She either wants to play, or plop down right where I am working. She's practically sleeping on my keyboard right now, and I'm trying to type over her body!

Can't believe it's Friday already--have a good weekend!

Back from vacation!

I haven't posted for a few weeks as I was on a wonderful vacation in Cape Charles, Virginia with my college friends. In the last six years we have reconnected and met up each summer for a "girls' weekend/week".  Cape Charles is at the lower end of the Delmarva Peninsula, and is a quiet, lovely town. We stayed in a beautiful house with a view of  the Chesapeake Bay. There was plenty of time for sight-seeing, eating out, visiting the beach, and hanging around the pool. Also plenty of laughter and reminiscing!

                                Sunset from the porch

                               We stayed in the Aqua house

                                An interesting sculpture at the Public Beach.

While on vacation I attempted to post last week's Illustration Friday theme, but never got it on line in time, so will post it here. Picked a few grape tomatoes and 2 small zucchini today but my vegetable garden is a little sparse this year. I did plant some tall sunflowers which are growing well, and my husband's perennial gardens are adding color around the yard. Gotta love summer!

                                                                    Garden

Solarplate Printing

I'm taking a Printmaking class this summer, and one of the types of prints I wanted to work on was Solarplate. Solarplate etchings are made by exposing a drawing done on acetate to a light sensitive plate. Here is an example of a print I pulled last week. The drawing is from a photograph I took in May when I was visiting the Portland Head Light. The fog was settled in out over the water, but not on the land.

Spent a fun weekend in Boston visiting with friends who were in the area for a few days. Got to go to the amazing fireworks display on the the 4th! It was a beautiful weekend weather wise, not too warm or humid. We did a lot of walking especially around the North End, the Greenway, Faneuil Hall, and the Waterfront District.  I measured 9.88 miles on my Fit Bit tracker just on Saturday!

Danger--Cuteness Alert!

                                                           Danger--Cuteness Alert

Watch out! This is what happens when you go to the animal shelter just to look. Of course there's a cat there to steal your heart. Today I brought home "Polly". She's a ten week old gray and white kitten with interesting markings. She sort of looks like a little fox from the side, as she has a rather pointed snout. So far we've had some play time, but now she's sleeping under a chair. I think all this excitement of finding a home has worn her out!