Monoprinting Demonstrations

At the end of this month I'll be demonstrating monoprinting at 2 locations around Brisbane.  My focus is on how monoprinting can be done at home with everyday objects, leaves and paint.

Lately I've been experimenting with making gelatin plates again.  I gave up on gelatin plates after some disasters I attributed to our hot and humid weather, it just wasn't a practical way of working for me, having to keep refrigerating my plate, problems with condensation etc.  In recent years I've been monoprinting with my etching press Thumper and also using my permanent Gelli Plate.  And I've been more than happy with the results.

But recently I came across some discussion on the internet where people were adding other ingredients into their gelatin plates - like alcohol, sugar and glycerine.  All of these products are supposed to improve the quality of the plate.  So I've been testing out a new recipe for a plate with gelatin and glycerine.  So far, so good.  I used the plate quite extensively yesterday in over 30degree celcius heat, no problems.  The plate's been sitting on my bench all day today with just some plastic wrap over it.  I'll give it another run or two over the next week without refrigeration and see how it goes.

I'll be using this new plate at both my upcoming demonstrations, producing a heap of wonderful prints using everyday objects, leaves and paint.

Details of the demonstrations:

Location:  Caboolture Hub, 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture
Date:  Thursday 30 January 2014
Time:  10am
Cost: FREE
Bookings: 07 5433 3710

Location:  Level 2 BCC Brisbane Square Library, Brisbane CBD
Date:  Sunday 2 February 2014
Time: 10.30am
Cost: FREE
Bookings: not required

Sculpting with Books

This week my Mum Jan and I flew to Sydney to attend a 2 day 'Sculptural Books' workshop with Lizzie Buckmaster-Dove. The workshop was held at Art Est Art School in Leichhardt.

Lizzie works with paper and found objects to create assemblages and 3-dimensional works.

This workshop was to learn about creating sculptural and 3-dimensional objects using old books, exploring techniques of cutting and folding.

I went home with plenty of ideas on how I could incorporate the techniques into my existing art practice, though I'm certain my short attention span and lack of accuracy could be a problem!

I'm busy cutting, cutting, cutting, cutting,
and cutting some more.
The days went quick though!

Yes I've still got 5 fingers,
luckily no band-aids required this time.
The tool is a surgical blade, VERY sharp but
necessary for this type of work.
 

Lizzie (right) and I with our 3D sculpted books

My completed book, "Honey, from flower to table",
hence the reason why I cut hexagons to
represent a bee hive.

Another book I completed, with
a moth motif cut from the pages.
Each page is cut by hand.
Great therapy.

The cut out moths make an artwork in themselves.
The possibilities......!

A close up of the cut out.

A book I folded on the plane on the way home.
Shame I couldn't do some more cutting, but
scalpels are definitely off the carry-on list!

Mum's book, the theme was 'Circles',
hence her choice of motif.

Mum's other work, cute little birds!
Simple but very effective.