NZ Fretwork

I have decided my next piece will be based on some New Zealand fretwork.  This is actually based on a photograph from my home business Backyard Letters and represents a letter 'O'....but that is another story..

Not sure which building it is from, will have to check - I love the old fretwork designs.  Still trying to get my head around the negative/positive space.  I've traced the design onto the lino in preparation to begin cutting later on this week...I am thinking perhaps I should have used a bigger piece of Lino, not sure?

will keep you posted..

Dog Prints

Just getting a feel of the lino tools - here is a test print of 'Mr Shepherd' aka 'Shep' - thought it would be an easy practice piece because, after all - he is black and white...

I haven't finished cutting the background yet - but PS it out here to give me an idea of what it will look like when finished - also just used an ink pad to get an idea of shading..

make your own rubber stamps

I found this great tutorial by Geninne today about how to make your own rubber stamps.  Never thought about using rubbers as a print making machine - but seems so logical - must give it a go.  It looks great for quick projects and small stamps - make note to self to raid kids pencil cases for erasers...

Genninne has a great creative blog (and she has a border collie too!) think I will be visiting her place often!

Just too impatient to wait - so found an old itsy bitsy eraser and just had to experiment...

fun...!  I enjoyed that....loved how easy it was to cut - but somehow miss the difficulty factor with lino - but eraser cutting will certainly have it's place.  Popped into our local arts and crafts store today - the lady looked at me blankly and actually LAUGHED when I asked "have you got any materials that allow you to cut your own stamps?"  I didn't think it was that silly of a question....I should be the one laughing at her for not knowing...lol!  Perhaps Gorden Harris Art store will have something?  Anyway, a quick call into The Warehouse Stationary and picked up some standard erasers to keep me experimenting.

The dogs eaten the lino

In my last post I made the comment that the last time I tried to rearrange something in the home...the dog ate it.  Some of you may have thought I was 'just trying to be funny.'  But sadly - with a 7month old Border Collie in the house this is far from the case....  Look what I just found:

...the bloody dog has eaten the LINO.........

perhaps he is trying to tell me something...perhaps I should do a series of 'Mr Shepherd' prints....  onwards and upwards ....  !!

I found this adorable Dog Print today - totally awesome xx

Lino Cutting Tools

Yesterday I paid a long awaited visit to Gorden Harris Art Store in Newmarket to get my Lino Cutting tools.  I still need a Brayer, Printing Inks, Roller and Paper - but I can get those next time and it will be a good excuse for another visit.  I love the 'linseed oil' smell of the lino and had to take several deep inhalations of the stuff - got a few funny looks from the shop assistant...

Discovered that woodturning tools are basically the same as lino cutting tools - so treated myself to a small collection that came in their own little box - a few I won't really need - I chose the ones that came with their own handles rather than having to keep changing the blades, and I have my eye on a few other nice cutting tools to add at a later time.  I found a Bench Hook in my art cupboard (a cutting board that enables you to safely cut by securely holding the lino and cutting board in place so your tools don't slip and cut patterns in your skin..) so that saved me a few dollars - all set to go now... 

So what to draw?  I absolutely love the work of Angie Lewin - I think it was seeing her work that inspired me to rediscover lino prints, that as well as finding my first ever lino print I did at school!  My artist sister Cherry is also another inspiration to me - she is so naturally creative - even how she re-arranges her furniture and everyday stuff in her home is a masterpiece... Last time I rearranged something in my home, the dog ate it.... 

Not sure what my style is going to turn out like - I like the idea of licensing my artwork, so that will probably influence how I go about it - trying to imagine the image on products and not wall space.  Anyway - went for a walk with the dog this morning and found a few seed pods that might be a good starting point:  It is spring here in NZ, so lots of seeds and buds galore at the moment..

I am enjoying researching what I could be drawing - let's hope I enjoy the actual doing....

until next time

Jane xx