"Adirondack Chairs" Block Print

 Just taking a break from my studio work, to post the block print that I finished today. I've been working on the "Adirondack Chair" image this month, and I'm generally pleased with the way it came out. I incorporated a few stencils, as well as a small brayer to ink individual areas. 

Prints hanging up to dry

Akua Inks

                    The finished print (fuchsia edition)

The location of the original photo, that inspired the print, is Little Squam Lake in Holderness NH. 

I'm enjoying the beginning of this summer! The mask wearing is mainly over (had to wear one today at the post office), and the weather has been lovely for the most part! Picked strawberries at one local farm, and have been working a lot in the yard. I planted a variety of herbs--now have to remember to use them. When you live in New England, you have to appreciate every summer day! 

Happy Weekend!

Feels like summer!!

 We had some very hot weather over the past seven days, with high humidity and temperatures in the 90s. Finally today, it's just perfect! Sunny and much cooler with low humidity! I was able to get out in the garden for a couple hours, doing some weeding and mulching. Our perennial beds are doing very well this year!

I've also been working on a new print. The inspiration comes from a misty October day, when I took some photos of empty Adirondack chairs at Squam Lake in Holderness. I've been experimenting with stencils to block off some areas on the print.

I didn't take a picture of the first layer, which was the blue-gray water and sky, but I used the deckled edge of some heavy watercolor paper to define the sand, water, and sky.

Stencil in place(above)

Inked and ready to print (above)

Printed and drying (above)

I cut out a stencil for the trees and the reflection (above) For this step, I inked the block first and laid the stencil on top before printing. In the image below, you can see the paper being pulled back. and the stencil in place.

This shows the print in its current state.

Next, I'm going to attempt to put a layer of light gray over the trees, water and sky, to create a more misty, foggy effect. If that is successful, I'll begin working on the chairs. It's all a bit experimental, so sometimes I have to figure it out as I go along. 

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the weekend!