Artist in Residence @ Curtin Springs - Part 6- The Magpie

There's a lot of bird life around the Curtin Springs Property, some the birds also live my home town in coastal SE Queensland, some I've  never seen before.

The Australian Magpie is already one of my favourites and has featured in many of my prints already.  But this is the first time I've sketched one from my own photo.

It took a few goes to get it right, I worked in pencil first then went over it in black pen, then finished with watercolours.

Australian Magpie, searching for food

Sketching from my photograph via my laptop

Putting a bit of colour into it

In the field, sketching

I've borrowed some bird books and plant id
books so I can add botanical information
in my sketchbook.

Monoprinting over the Christmas Holidays - Part 1

I've been busy printing over the Christmas break, exploring a few different monoprint directions.

Firstly, for an upcoming hospital exhibition, I needed to print very large - my plate was 68cm x 46cm - the largest monoprints I ever done.  The large size provided a few interesting compositional challenges, and I also had to make use of my large studio etching press (which is always a pleasure to work with!).

I also wanted to try a new style of just one major colour, highlighted with a black image.  That's quite a challenge for me, given I tend towards 4+ colours and tons of mark making.  Holding back and keeping it minimal isn't easy!

Because I was working big, I did some smaller test prints just to see how my theory would work.  It turned out to be a great idea and gave me plenty of confidence when I had to tackle the bigger prints.

Three of the six successful prints will be exhibited for six months in a local private hospital, alongside some scrub turkey and leaf prints.  I have titled this Magpie series 'The Sentinel' referencing the territorial behaviour of magpies. 

This was my paper soaking 'tray' - a garbage bag as I didn't have a tray or
tub large enough!  Not perfect but worked OK.

In progress - leaves and Magpie stencil

Of course I printed with my favourite colour - Aqua....!
I just love it on these gorgeous gum leaves.

One of the finish prnts.  I couldn't help myself and snuck a
bit of green in there to add a bit of 'pop'!

This print is just aqua with the black caroling Magpie.
Simple and as minimalist as I can get!

I'll blog next week about the second series of monoprints that I did over the holidays.