Mermaid Print

I just started working on a new reduction block print. The topic is a little different from my usual subjects, which are often landscapes and birds. I like drawing mermaids, but I haven't tried a multi-colored print before. Here are the beginning steps of the process.

 First move the cat out of the way

 Tracing paper pattern is placed on the block and rubbed with a spoon

 The light image on the block needs to be outlined with a Sharpie marker

The block is ready for carving and printing.

Illustration Friday "The letter A"

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is "The Letter A". I haven't been posting on IF consistently, but it is the NEW YEAR, so I'll try to get back on track.

                                                     A is for Avocado

The Eastern USA has been going through a long, terrible frigid weather spell. The temperature has been in the teens with below zero wind chill. Today it was 4 degrees F when I got up to go to my Saturday morning yoga class. Surprisingly, the class was packed! I imagine everyone is getting cabin fever, and can't stand being inside for one more day. On Thursday, there was a nor'easter that dropped a foot of new snow in most of New England. Lots of flooding on the coast, and anything that wasn't cleared away in now encased in frozen ice and snow. We are pretty tough here, but I'm looking forward to the milder weather forecasted for later next week. Weather in the 30s and 40s sounds pretty balmy at this point!

We love to feed and watch the birds that come to our yard. A partial list of birds include, blue jays, chickadees, juncos, cardinals, gold finches, white-throated sparrows, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, red bellied woodpeckers, downy and hairy woodpeckers, mockingbirds, crows, Carolina wrens, and mourning doves. Of course the squirrels are in the mix too.

This is a red-bellied woodpecker. You would think it would be called a red-headed woodpecker, but that name was already taken, and this guy has a bit of light red on the lower belly.

Hope everyone is staying warm and cozy!

Christmas comes and goes...

How quickly the holidays come and go! We celebrated Christmas 2017 in the midst of a snowstorm, and are approaching the New Year in a deep freeze. Fortunately, my sister and her husband were able to navigate my parents' Subaru through the 6" of snow, to get them to my home for Christmas morning brunch. My girls were both here for Christmas Eve, and we had a lovely night together before the big day.

                                                        The night before Christmas

I've been on the Holiday break from work this week, and enjoying some time to catch up on projects, and relax after the busyness of the last few weeks. The area is in the midst of a long stretch of frigid weather. The temperatures haven't risen above 15 degrees, and the wind has made it feel even colder! We've been feeding the birds and squirrels a copious amount of birdseed. I took a picture of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that's been hanging around the yard. It looks all fluffed up against the cold.

                                                                   Gold Finches

Aside from errands and a few workouts at the gym, I've been staying warm and toasty at home.


I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas! Best wishes for the New Year!

Happy 60th Anniversary!

December 7th is a special day for my family, as this year it is the 60th anniversary of my parents' wedding.                                   
                                                   Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Fun Time at the Art show

Last Saturday, I spent the day with fellow teachers selling our wares at a Pop Up Shop. My friend Lori and I set  up our tables with prints, cards, and her felted animals and birds. Others had photographs, batik scarves, ceramics, jewelry, bags, snowmen, and gnomes. It ended up being a fun day with lots of people crowding into Corey's Victorian house to sample yummy snacks, and purchase a few Christmas presents. Here's a couple of pictures of our little corner.

I also finally finished printing the last layer of the sunflower print that I've been working on.

Sunflowers and Pop-Up Holiday Art Sale

I'm still working on the Sunflower print that I've been posting on previous posts. Here is the latest stage of the print.

I think that there will be one more color after this---the background.

One of my art teacher friends is hosting a Holiday Art Sale at her home on December 2, 2017.

I'm joining other artists for the fun event on 779 Beech Street in Manchester, NH. from 12-4:30.

I will be selling prints and Holiday cards. I guess I'll be busy over Thanksgiving break, putting the final touches on my wares!

Sunflower Print Layer # 5

Over the last month, I've been working on a linoleum block print of sunflowers, and I've  just printed the fifth color layer. Here are a few images of the process so far.

Yellow, light green, and ochre layers

layer 3

dark green layer #4

printing plate with brown layer #5

lifting off the print 

     

A drawer full of sunflowers layer #5

Now I will have to carve away the areas that I wish to remain brown, and print layer #6. Another dark green, then the background color should finish it up.