Rooster and Winter Seascape

 Hello May!!

I don't think that I posted the final image from the Wild Kauai Rooster block print that I demonstrated in the last post. I added the details on the tail feathers in the last printed layer create more definition in that area. Here's the finished print:  

Kauai Wild Rooster

The print that I'm working on now, is the winter seascape photographed in Acadia National Park in February. I decided to use a linoleum block, instead of a Soft-Kut block, because I was able to sign up for

a printmaking class again, and had access to a printing press. I had forgotten how tough the carving of linoleum is compared to the rubbery Soft-Kut. Even with good blades, and a heated up block, I still found it took a lot of work to carve. 

I'm almost done with the Acadia print. I need to work on the trees in the background a bit, then I think it will be finished. I like the quality of the texture in the linoleum block, as it is somewhat sharper than the Soft-Kut block's texture, but I have to balance that out with the ease of carving.

Hope the month of May brings warmer weather, and new inspiration for the next project!

Travels' Inspiration

 The last five weeks have been very busy! I had the opportunity to travel west to the island of Kauai, Hawaii, and then east to Acadia National Park in Maine. Two separate trips, one by plane, the other by car, to explore very different winter locales!

The tropical beaches of Kauai were a welcome respite from a long, cold New England winter, while the trip to Acadia highlighted the beauty of the icy shores of northern coastal Maine.

Shipwreck Beach, Kauai

Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Maine

After a climb, up ice-covered trails, the reward of a mountain top view is exhilarating, in spite of the temperature!

I'm starting on a linoleum reduction block print of the Acadia coast. I love the textures and colors of the rocks, and the wild waves! I've transferred the image onto my block, and am going over all the pencil lines with a Sharpie marker, so that the drawing won't disappear after layers of ink.

linoleum block 11" x 14"

I will update my progress on this print, as I get more done.

Dwarfed by the giant palm!

I think this feller may be the subject of another print!

Otter Point print

I took a lot of pictures of the rocky coast on Mount Desert Island. when we visited Acadia National Park in August. I thought the colors of the rocks and ocean would make interesting block print images. This is a four-color print of a view at the end of the Otter Point trail. The trail begins at Sand Beach and takes you by Thunder Hole, and along the coast for several miles of easy hiking with spectacular views.