Jewel Beetle Woman signed off

Most of the past week has been spent hand colouring the edition, plus various proofs (Artist Proofs, APW Proofs, Presentation Proof, Viewing Proof, etc) of the linocut Jewel Beetle Woman. It was a satisfying, pleasurable process, despite being rather more time consuming than I'd anticipated. As a rule, I hand colour with watercolours, but for the first time ever, I used pigmented drawing inks. The result was a far richer and more luminous surface.

Based on past experience, I was wary of accidental drips and as a preventative measure cut stencils for two of the high risk areas: the body and hair. The greens of the beetle's upper body and legs were applied without benefit of stencils, but fortunately there were no mishaps.

Jewel Beetle Woman, 2014, linocut, hand coloured, 56.5 x 38 cm, edition: 20
Printer: Simon White. Photograph: Tim Gresham

Today was a red letter day: the edition was delivered to the Australian Print Workshop, where it was numbered, titled, signed, dated and the relevant paperwork completed.

As always, it was great to catch up with the folk at the APW. I've really appreciated their enthusiasm and encouragement throughout this project, particularly Simon White, who so expertly printed Jewel Beetle Woman. I was delighted that APW Director Anne Virgo picked up on the influence of the artist-naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717). It turns out that not only does Anne share my deep admiration for this artist, she actually owns one of her exquisite hand coloured woodcuts. 

B.A.T. at A.P.W.

Yesterday morning I met with the Australian Print Workshop's Simon White to check the proof he had made of Jewel Beetle Woman (pictured above).

Overall, we were both pleased with the result, but were concerned that once editioning was under way, some of the finer lines might begin to fill in. Over the next couple of hours, I reworked the areas in question and Simon made a number of trial proofs until we arrived at a B.A.T. (bon a tirer, or "good to go": the last proof to be checked before approval for editioning). Signing it off was an enormously satisfying moment. 

Nature in Print: Selected Highlights

My past three days as a special guest artist of the Australian Print Workshop have been a joy. The ten participants in the Nature in Print linocut workshop were all eager to learn and make the most of the three days allotted to them. I couldn't believe how much they achieved in the relatively brief period, which certainly went by in a flash.

The class instructor Simon White was a fountain of knowledge. After the first day I sat towards the back of the room to keep out from under foot, especially when the others started printing in earnest. Meanwhile I worked diligently on my own linocut, Jewel Beetle Woman (see directly below). Periodically, however, I'd join them to watch one of Simon's demonstrations or have a look at the progress of everyone's work. The enthusiasm of the group was both infectious and inspiring. I tend to work in solitude for most of the time, and had almost almost forgotten how energising a print studio can be. This group made it especially so. 

Left to right, looking into the distance: Linda, Jini, Bronwyn, Gaele, Richarda and Chris

From left to right: Tristana, Marie, Linda, Gaele, Simon, Margaret, Bronwyn, Thea and Richarda

Left to right: Gaele, Simon, Margaret, Richarda Marie, Thea and Jini

Bronwyn rolls up her lino block

Gaele and Simon

From left to right: Simon, Bronwyn Linda, Jini, Marie and Tristana

From left: Bronwyn, Richarda, Simon, Linda, Margaret, Jini, Gaele, Tristana, Thea (behind Thristana) Chris and Marie

On the second day Thea brought in some specimens from her remarkable insect collection to share with us:

Thanks so much to the APW and especially Simon and our wonderful printmaking group: Marie, Thea, Linda, Chris, Margaret, Bronwyn, Jini, Tristana, Gaele and Richarda. I learned such a lot from everyone (all artists are perpetual students, no matter how many years we put in). It was a pleasure to spend time with you all. Keep up the great printmaking.

For more photographs of the linocut workshop, visit Moth Woman Press HERE.

Nature in Print: Jewel Beetle Woman

As those who have read my two previous posts will now be well and truly aware, tomorrow I begin a short stint as a special guest artist of the Australian Print Workshop Summer School’s Nature in Print. The workshop instructor is APW Master Printer Simon White. Like the class participants, whom I very much look forward to meeting, I will be making a linocut during the three-day course. I'll also discuss my research methods and the ideas that have directed the current work.

Over the last few years I’ve accumulated a considerable collection of natural history books and journals, as well as studying insect specimens first-hand. The website of the CSIRO has also provided rich source material, particularly in relation to Australian moths.

My image has already been drawn onto the block in readiness for the workshop; I’ve documented its development to indicate the process involved up to this point.

In preparation for this linocut I made three small working drawings and from them chose Jewel Beetle Woman. The image was outlined on the block in pencil and completed in brush and ink. In addition, I applied white acrylic paint in order to facilitate some alterations and corrections. The linocut will be printed by Simon White and I will hand colour the edition with watercolour and pigmented drawing ink.

Pictured above: 

Jewel Beetle Woman, 2014, lino block in progress, 45 x 30 cm

Sketchbook images: Pencil on paper, 15 x 11 cm (paper size)

Ways of seeing

As the Nature in Print workshop at the Australian Print Workshop is set to commence, so is another heat wave. Thankfully the APW is air conditioned, as is the fabulous Melbourne Museum; the three-day workshop kicks off tomorrow morning with a field trip to its natural history section.

Directly below is a further selection of snapshots from my recent research trip to the museum. (See also previous post).

2014 Australian Print Workshop Summer School: Nature in Print

I’m delighted to be one of the special guest artists of the 2014 Australian Print Workshop Summer School. Fellow guest artists are Vicki Couzens, Juan Ford, Tim Jones, Roslyn Kean and Lisa Roet.

Cover art above left: Louise Weaver, le tigre, photo-lithograph

My workshop includes a field trip to the Natural History section of Melbourne Museum. Its remarkable insect collection has been a rich source of inspiration for much of my own work:

Homo-insecta, 2013 (images only): Portfolio cover: 33H x 24W x 1.5 D cm Cover art: linocut, hand coloured 22.5 x 12.5 cm 

Contents: 7 linocuts, hand coloured, 29.5 x 21 cm; edition: 10

During the workshop I will produce a limited edition print, working in collaboration with Master Printer Simon White. This week I visited the museum to do some preliminary research:

For full details of the APW Summer School workshops, visit the links below:

Linocut and the Melbourne Museum

Instructor: APW Printer Simon White

Tuesday 28 January – Thursday 30 January

10 am – 4 pm each day

Australian Print Workshop
219 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy Vic 3065
03 9419 546
http://www.australianprintworkshop.com/default.asp

Download the enrolment form here:
http://www.australianprintworkshop.com/education/pdf/APW_Summer_School_2014.pdf