Illustration Friday "Safety"

Just a little sketch for this week's IF prompt, "safety"

Birch Tree Print

Another semester of Printmaking at NHIA has begun, and I'm busy working on a new sunflower print. Only printed one layer so far, and I'm carving away those areas so I can print layer two.

I did finish the Birch tree block print last week. I printed on black Strathmore paper using Akua inks. The black paper underneath gives the inks a bit different tone. I had done another similar design a few years ago for a print exchange, and I didn't have any left. This one is a little bigger using an 8" x 10" EasyCut block.

Same prints-just a little variation in the colors

I'm not anxious to see this view out my window anytime soon. We're having a very humid and mild weekend here. It doesn't feel like October! When you live in New England, they say, "just wait a minute and it will change." 

Where did September go?

I can't believe a whole month has gone by without a post. I started teaching again at the end of August, and have been out straight with work, printmaking projects, and everything else that has to be done just to keep home and family in some kind of order.

A few fun notes: I have my work in three exhibits right now---the Plymouth State University Alumni Show, the Hopkinton Historical Society Art Show, and through October, the Castle in the Clouds "Finding Place on Paper" Contemporary Poets and Printmakers Exhibit.

Block Island Sunrise is one of the block prints hanging at the Hopkinton Historical Society through December.
I'm working on a couple of new prints that revisit previous subject matter. I have one more layer of inking to do on an updated birch tree theme, and I'm starting another sunflower print.

These were some sunflowers my husband photographed for me, while we were on a day trip to Portsmouth NH. I also grew a few sunflowers in my garden this year. They are starting to droop a bit now, but here are a few images from when they were just opening up.

         

It's rainy and dreary here today, but tomorrow the sun is supposed to come out a again with warmer temperature in the 70s. The weather in New England is unpredictable! Last weekend the temperature was in the humid 90s, and today it was 49 degrees this morning. I'm trying to convince my husband that we may need to turn on the heat later. He says "bundle up."

Enjoy the weekend!!

New Prints in the Studio

Ever since I converted Daughter #2's bedroom into my studio, I have been enjoying my new space. Before, I was kind of spread out into several rooms in the house. Now I am able to store most of my materials in one place, and use the area for projects I am working on. I also have a nice view of the back yard! Here's an image of my current printmaking projects in progress...

Illustration Friday "Mail"

Something new for Illustration Friday.

Mail

Does anyone get real mail anymore?

Wiley is hanging out with me while I'm working on a new print!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy 89th birthday Dad!

Illustration Friday "neighbors"

Just finished my illustration for this week's Illustration Friday prompt, "neighbors."

                  " Neighbors"        

                                          Black Prismacolor pencil, watercolor