Cat in a Tree Block Print

Happy February!

I just finished a new reduction block print, and am shipping it off to its new home today. This was a custom order of a cat hanging out in his favorite tree. 

 I worked on the orange cat first, using stencils and a small roller, to keep the colors of the cat separate from the tree.

Then I did a couple of green layers for the leaves.

Next was the gray layer

The final layer was black

I am happy with the finished print. There are about 8 layers of ink overall, as well as the white of the BFK paper in some areas. I used Akua inks which are easy to clean with Dawn detergent and water. The printing plate is Soft-Kut, which is sold by Dick Blick. I prefer that material because it is so easy to carve, and it holds the details very well. All of the prints are hand printed without using a press. I usually use the back of a wooden spoon to impress the image onto the paper.

Enjoy the weekend! We are having a relatively mild one coming up! Might be in the 50s.

XO Jane

Maine Coon Cat Print (finished)

This is the finished reduction block print that I've been working on. I posted the earlier steps in the last post to show the process. The final layer of darker brown/black brings it all together!

Summer vacation is swiftly coming to a close, as I'm back to work next week. It has been a great couple of months, with trips to Virginia, Washington DC, and Maine in the mix. I always miss the flexibility of free days to work on my own art, but the structure of another school year is inevitable, and makes summer such a treat! One more day at the beach this weekend, and I'll be ready (I think).

a new print and a trip to Maine

It has been a busy early half of the summer, and I'm finally home from my travels with the sorority girls. Thirty-five+ years, and we are still having fun!

     A couple of sights from the Marginal Way in Ogunquit Maine

I also finished a block print of my cat "Wiley," right before I went away for my beach vacation.

 The plate with all the white areas carved away

 First layer of gray

 second layer

Final print

Poor Wiley is laying low today, as it's very hot and humid here! It has been a glorious summer so far, but we really do need more rain! There is a prediction for a few thunder showers tonight but the 10 day forecast shows little chance of rain through next weekend. I don't like air conditioning, but I may
have to break down and put the unit in our bedroom.