Wednesday 30 May 2018

MOTHS, MOTHS AND MORE MOTHS

I haven't drawn or made a collagraph of a bird for months. Instead I have been working on a project which will be exhibited at the Museum in the Park, Stroud in October. 
I will be part of a post MA group of artists call IN-Sight. 'Into the Light' will be our 3rd exhibition together and will be about items kept in the museums stores.
The preparation for the exhibition has been on going since last year...yes, it takes that length of time to create an idea and then make work from it. I have chosen to look closely at the museums collection of moths, I am never too far away from a wing or two.
We have been allowed behind the museums scenes and I have been drawn to the rows of specimens collected by local enthusiasts...when it was not frown upon to do so.
It would have been easy to then make collagraphs from this resource material, but IN-Sight is a chance for all of us to try new ways of working and push our practices.
With this self imposed challenge I decided to print onto silk.
I experimented with collagraph plates covered in carborundum and plaster to create backgrounds, did you really expect me not to print? But these samples made the silk loose it's soft diaphanous qualities.
Frustrated I went back to look at the museums moth collections.  
I loved the shadowy cases of slightly crumbling exhibits.
Then did more drawing.
I wanted to capture the soft faded look to the exhibits.
I like the idea of the labels and scientific reason for how 
they are set out.
The natural colour palette also became alluring. 
Using collagraph to print first onto the silk,
then by layering on top with gum arabic transfer images, 
I am beginning to create the delicate effect I want.
 I am beginning to add rust printing
which is adding the natural colour I am looking for.
Potassium permanganate is also creating depths in the layers.
I can't wait to get the lemon juice onto this one!
These are all still experimental, there is more rusting to be done
and a bit more exploring before I start the 2 large pieces that will go into the exhibition. But so far so good, although I have dissolved one piece through over bleaching, I have so much to learn and many decisions to make...do I add stitch for instance. The jury is still out on that one! 
But am loving the process.I just love my job.
Want to know more about gum arabic transfer and collagraph? Check out my Esty Shop, MadeBySueBrown for leaflets about the technique or join a workshop at www.theyardartspace.com












Tuesday 8 May 2018

SILK AQUATINT WORKSHOP


The sunny bank holiday weekend bought with it a Silk Aquatint workshop at the yard:ARTspace
Silk Aquatint is a sophisticated collagraph version of Mezzo tint.
Mount board is covered with chiffon which holds a rich velvety amount of ink.
By using layers of glue, details and tones can be achieved.
Despite the warm weather there was a great deal of concentrated gluing as layers were applied to make different tones. 
The weekend was used to explore the
plate making processes and then
chine collee, and viscocity
inking was added to the mix.
With the studio doors flung open
lots and
lots
of prints were made. The next collagraph workshop will be 23 September, Printing Collagraph and Lino together.

Before I head off just a quick word about the up and coming GDPR legislation and how it will effect my activities. You will have had lots of communication from organisations sorting all this out. If you are on my mailing list please update your preferences as requested on my last newsletter or unsubscribe if you no longer wish to hear from me.
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MATERIAL MATTERS

So far the summer term at the yard:ARTspace has been about textiles. I have been lucky enough to have Viv Sliwka and Kathleen Murphy visit, bringing with them bags of stitch goodies and deliver gorgeous workshops.
The end of April saw Viv inspire a group with stitch and 
vintage tins. We all made a delicious stitched collage
adding vintage bits
held down with french knots
and running stitch to create small
encased worlds.

Everyone completed their projects and we 
were all thrilled. Viv is a gently persuasive teacher, very generous with her materials and knowledge.
With the change in the weather Kathleen arrived, suitcases in hand
and mystery packages for her signature workshop, The Sewcial.
You just do not know what you will be signing up for with this workshop.
Kathleen challenges and inspires you to think outside of the box and this workshop did not disappoint. Everyone received a sieve and a thing from a light fitting.
From there Kathleen makes a few suggestions and off everyone goes in a variety of directions.
Deconstructing,
creating from
resource material.
Show casing skills
in new directions.
Everyone produced extraordinary pieces
Much admired at the end of the day.
Missed this workshop?
Kathleen will be delivering a Seasonal Sewcial at the yard:ARTspace on the 16 November, book early to avoid disappointment.