I've BEEn gelli plate printing....

I've just wanted to share with you the results of a quick session of monoprinting using my gelli plate.  I needed some pages to cover some books I'm making for Xmas stock, and wanted to give my bee stamp a run.  I handcarved the bee stamp from an Ezi-Carve block.  I used a 'chicken wire' stencil in the background to imitate a honeycomb effect.

A very enjoyable and productive hour........

My handcarved bee stamp and honeycomb stencil.

 

Bee prints everywhere!

I used a combination of monoprinting and stamping

Repetition of the image adds movement

You can see the effectivess of layering the
bee image, slightly off centre each time

The honeycomb stencil used as a resist
lets the white of the paper show through,
adding light and breaking up the background

Embrace the Shake - video

Hi all

It seems that the utube video that I imbeded in my previous post may not appear if you have my posts emailed to you.

So follow the link to my blog to watch the video:

http://sandrapearce.blogspot.com.au

Just scroll down past this post to get to it.

Cheers
Sandra

Embrace the Shake - an inspiring video

I don't usually publish UTube videos on my blog, but this was shared with me and I had to pass it on.

Phil Hansen is the speaker, an amazing artist.  I was really struck by his words that reminded me why I make art.  A very grounding and inspiring lesson.

Please view it, its worth the time.

Inspiration and Reconnection

I realised this past weekend that there are times where you don't need to make art, but to use the time to THINK about it.  Which is quite an unusual thing for me.  I always need to be making art, thinking as I go, composing, make decisions on colour, how I want to present my ideas and thoughts.

Last Friday we travelled to Canberra for Craig to compete in an MTBO event (mountain bike orienteering).  I tagged along for company and to have a few days to relax and make art.

I took along my gelli plate and paints and papers, and whilst Craig was out riding, I set up my art studio in the motorhome and got to work.  But it didn't flow, it didn't work.  I wasn't producing anything I really liked.  And I hated that feeling! 

But after another walk in the fresh air amongst the trees and bird calls, I realised that my inability to print (anything that I considered worthwhile) was not a disaster.  What was more important was allowing myself the space and time to reconnect with nature. 

My few days in the forests near Canberra gave me the time to collect leaves, play with my gelliplate, think, think and think.   To listen to the bird sounds floating on the air, feel the stillness at dusk, blowflies buzzing, surrounded by air not walls.   And not being stuck in my normal 'daily' routine.

I am truly thankful for the opportunity.

 

Relaxing outside our motorhome at Namadgi National Park

 

My temporary art studio in the motorhome

Some of the prints, beautiful gum leaves with
lots of damage from caterpillars

Craig checking his GPS on a walk at
Namadgi National Park.
I love this photo as it really shows off
the gorgeous landscape - tall white gums,
wildflowers, and grasses

 

A Satin Bowerbird checking out our offering of
a piece of blue rope. 
He had already taken of our blue pegs back to his bower.
Unfortunately he rejected the rope -
 not good enough to impress his girl I guess!



 

Swamplands at Namadgi National Park

Blue Tongued Lizard by the side of the track.
Didn't get a good photo of the brown snake unfortunately!

Passage - an exhibition of printmaking, papermaking and porcelain

Artists Pattie Murray and Sandra Pearce

Dates: 9 October to 2 November 2013
Where: Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, Hub Gallery, 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture
Times: M-F 9-4; Sat 9-3

Come along and view my exciting new exhibition with porcelain artist Pattie Murray. Our theme is 'Passage' where we each are describing our different journeys into the tidal zones - past and present.

For this exhibition I have used paper and natural fibres to explore my relationship with the tidal zones of Moreton Bay. By incorporating natural materials into my papermaking and printmaking processes, I have created sculptural works that describe my journey revisiting my childhood perceptions and experiences in Moreton Bay.

I've made some large freeform sheets of paper (over 2 metres long!) using natural fibres such as mulberry bark, lemon grass and silk cocoon strippings. Pattie has made some beautiful, fragile and colourful porcelain pieces.

Pattie and I will be at the gallery on Saturday 12 October from 10am to 3pm, please join us. We will be available to talk about our work and show you around.

Unfortunately the cafe at the Hub will be closed on the 12th, but there are other bakeries and cafes nearby.
If you visit during the week, I can highly recommend the cafe for coffee and cake!

 

Artists Night at Hanasho

Last night we opened my exhibition 'Nature in Print' at Hanasho, Boundary Street, West End.  A great night talking about my art with a few sales in between drinks.

Thanks at all who came along.  My work is at Hanasho until the 31st October, please come along and take a look.  I've also got some cards and bookmarks on sale.

View of my work along Hanasho's wall

View of Hanasho's - an exciting visual display

Craig and I with my work in the background

A trio of butterfly monoprints,
the lime green one is my favourite!