Drawing a line under it

 There are times when I'm sat at my desk where I challenge myself to make something from the items that are within my reach, just for the fun of it. It could be a collage, a book or a print usually. The other day I was determined to put that series of simple collagraph plate shapes to bed once and for all but as I sat at the desk I picked up a stack of 4 inch square mat board pieces. Now, I'd cut them for a sample of a stiff leaf binding that I was making and they were left over so I browsed the mess that is my desk and also eyed the sheets of ring re-inforcers and sticky labels stacked there too.

The quickest idea is usually the one that's uppermost in your mind and of course,that's the tea bowl/pot shape in my case, so I made another two collagraph plates.  I can't look at these subsequent prints without knowing the circular motifs are those ring re-inforcers but what I enjoyed most was using the shiny sheet that's left when the rings are removed. I used it as a background to the print above and the finish repelled the shellac sealer and gave me some interesting effects when viscosity inked. It seemed to pool in the unseen holes and almost looks like a deconstructed screen printing effect to me.

After making these two plates enough really is enough and I need to move on. Other things are in my head and gestating on the printmaking front. I recently made these two prints exploring copper sulphate etching and they serve to show that I obviously have a bit of a 'circle' thing going on whether it comes from a manufactured shape or via my own hand. I have some ideas to develop my mark making repertoire on aluminium and I've been playing with some unusual resists which I'll share another time.

I also spent a great day last week with my friend Sue working on a collagraph plate that is intended as a gift for someone. It's under wraps at present in case she reads this blog although that's unlikely.... but it's also under wraps because I can't get it to look how I want it to. I'm going to try printing it again tomorrow and seeing how to improve it. Wish me luck!

Don't think, just make.....

 You're probably looking at the above picture and thinking what on earth has she got in that bowl? Nothing but a hefty solution of Lapsang Souchong is the answer. I think I used the last 12 or so teabags in the box to tone some cyanotypes that I produced on Saturday afternoon.
I'd intended to do some printing but that plan went awry so I took advantage of some great sunny weather and made a few more cyanotypes with the dodgy solution that I made last year. Now every time I use it ,  it gets less and less predictable and I know I should throw it away but I can't seem to let it go. Somehow the imperfections of the process are what I am enjoying. I don't care that the blue isn't deep or that's it's patchy, I just love using it. Of the few that I made, one was a book cover I'd already constructed from watercolour paper and it turned out OK but I decided to try and tone them instead.

 Firstly I made a solution of washing soda to bleach out the iron in the blue but that did nothing so I resorted to good old household bleach  which turns the prints into yellow and white, although as you can see above, my book cover held on to some of the blue and it doesn't look that yellow! The results were not promising at this stage but then I placed them in the tea bath and  they all turned various shades of brown. As my whites were not that clear to start with there is not much definition between the lights and darks but I still like the random patchy effect of it all.

 Time now to make the book with the constructed cover and I'll probably do the same with the others after I've given them a coat of acrylic wax just to liven them up a little. I'll show the books when they are finished but that will be next week as I went back to the printing press today instead.

 I was intending to print some copper sulphate etchings but I  again got sidetracked with a simple little collagraph plate that I made recently.
I had a large A2 drawing that I cut into squares at random to see what serendipitous images I'd get and this was one of the shapes I was left with so I decided to make the simple plate as it reminded me of a tea bowl. Then my husband said he preferred it the other way up looking like a pot so that's where these will stay.... for now. I quite like them either way and have had  fun messing about with different viscosity mixes of ink all day. I think I've done about 20 prints and some are disastrous, whilst others have possibilities. Quite a few look like they will be interesting to draw into later or use for collage so I'll let them dry and go from there.

Today has been one of those days that remind you it's not about perfect outcomes. Unless you get out there and make something you'll end up making nothing. The majority of today's play will come to nought most probably but I feel itching to get back up there tomorrow and do some more. The last thing I did was print a couple of plates in metallic ink and then paint them immediately with indian ink to see if it would resist. Might work, might look rubbish but could be brilliant. Who knows? Whatever the result, it will lead my thinking onwards. Surely that can't be bad?

and he has picked.....

The draw was made by my husband this morning for the book and it is on its way to Australia. Look out Fiona, it will be posted in the next few days.
Thanks to  everyone for their comments. I appreciate them. Sometimes I wonder why I'm still writing this thing after so many years. My output diminishes year on year but I still can't quite give it up. I still love reading and commenting on the small number of blogs that have been in it since the early days, people I've never met, yet consider good friends. Long may it continue. I can't promise another 500 posts but I'll keep a giveaway up my sleeve for another milestone number. Many thanks again.