Shells on Rocks Print

 I haven't posted on this site for several months, but I have been busy working on a new reduction block print. This new print is another version of the On the Rocks theme that I created last year.

For this piece, I used a photograph of beach stones that I superimposed with actual shells, a couple of rocks, a sand dollar, and a sea urchin.

Then I traced my design and transferred the image onto a 6" x 9" easy cut block, and drew over all the lines with a permanent marker.

I carved away all the areas that will remain white on the print, and printed the first layer of ink.

I made a stencil to block out the background rocks, and worked on each shell individually, as I wanted to use different color schemes for each one.

This is the result of the mini prints using the stencil.

This is the state of the block itself after the printing of the shells.

I put little stencils on each shell, to block out the areas already completed.

This is the light gray layer for the background rocks.

The next layer is defining the rocks more.

I'm working on carving out the background rocks now. It will take a while  to finish this stage of the process. Hope to show the finished design by the end of the week. 

Check back in!

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

Holiday Greetings!

 Merry Christmas, and soon to be New Year!

It is nice to sit back and reflect after the hectic and joyous Christmas of 2023. It was wonderful getting the families together for a big feast at my sister-in-law's house. We lost the family matriarch last January, and every holiday since has been a first without her. Despite her physical absence, the traditions and love goes on.

I had been working on a small block print for my annual holiday-themed design. I usually create something new each year, and this idea came from a friend's yard display. 

I customized some of the designs with the addition of snowflakes, or a little paint here and there for definition.

I really enjoyed our own Christmas tree this year! It was just such a pretty shape and size. Each ornament is a memory. Many were made by my grandmother, or given to us by special friends.

We still like a real tree, and hopefully will until we can't physically put one up anymore! 

Best Wishes for the New Year!💚

Seascapes

 I'm just going to post a few pictures of possible future print ideas, from photos taken over the last couple of months. 

                                            Acadia Sunset

Acadia rocky beach

Rye, Driftwood Wedding Altar

More rocks

 Gray's Beach, Cape Cod

                                                                  Odiorne State Park

Working on my Christmas cards at present, but will be ready for something new soon! 

Jane

Strawberry Basket

 Finished up a little print that is only 5" x 5", but involved the use of multiple stencils and color layers.

The subject is a humble cardboard basket full of strawberries.

These are the two variations of the finished prints. One has a white background and the other a light green one.

Some of the steps that I followed for this design are below:

Red berry stencil used to print over the green.

Carved leaf design in the background.

The final prints drying on the line.
 

"On the Rocks" and Uncommon Arts!

I hope everyone is having a good summer in spite of the wide range of weather issues that we all have been dealing with this year. (Rain and flooding, super hot weather, just to name a few...)

I did finish up the "Rocks" print that I had started in the last post. I ended up using quite a few stencils to block out areas of different color tones.

A little hint of purple in there.

The final stage of the block

The final print!

Tomorrow I'm setting  up my tent for the "Uncommon Art on the Common" event in Goffstown. I'll be selling prints, and my friend Lori will be there with her incredible felted animals (as well as prints). 

It is local and fun!!  The forecast is for sunshine and low 80s for temperature. We're good to go!

More Rocks

 Greetings on this humid and showery day! It's been very rainy this month, and I'm looking forward to some sequential days of sunshine. Unfortunately, the extended forecast looks like more unsettled weather ahead.

I'm working on a new idea for a block print that incorporates my fascination with rocks and the seashore. This time I'm going for a close up of some colorful textured stones. I'd like to keep the colors more pure as I add the layers, so I'm experimenting with stencils for the initial colors.

Two of the shells are real (not part of the photo)

Sharpie marker over pencil on a 6" x 8" Soft-Kut block

Tracing paper stencil

Layer 1 printed using stencil (some of the marker lines show up in the first prints)

 This is what the plate looks like now. I still have a few more to print of layer 1, as this will be an edition of 16. 

No matter the weather, best wishes for a great weekend!

Jane