This weekend....

Books Glorious Books

Handmade books - what better way to display my monoprints than just framing them on a wall or chopping them into little pieces for gifts.... when I was at Woodgate last month I did lots of printing to make my prints into artist books.   what fun!

Here are the photos are promised.

 



These 3 photos above are of a concertina book, with a smaller concertina panel inserted into the folds (no glue!).  I used 2 different monoprints, with similar imagery.

For the covers, I used mulberry paper and ribbon closure.

The 3 photos above are of a book with a concertina spine with folded pages sewn onto the spine using pamphlet stitch.  I also added another print onto the spine when I was sewing it together; this really 'sings' against the black colour of the spine.

I really like this book due to its 3 dimensional structure; the loose concertina spine allows it to stand and be expanded out so the viewer can see lots of the print details.  Many of my monoprints have subtle marks and lines that can only be appreciated by close viewing, hence they are really suited to the book format.  Its much more intimate than a framed print on the wall.



The 4 photos above are of another concertina spine book, with folded pages glued to the concertina.  On some of the pages, I cut out sections and glued printed paper sewing patterns behind them, so they act as little 'windows' to another image.   I saw an example of this structure at the workshop I did at SLQ in May, so had to try it using some of my monoprints.  It works well in this instance using casuarina needles and Cotton Tree leaves.

And yes, the Cotton Tree again!  I was rather excited to see the trees at Woodgate, and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to print with their leaves.  I just adore their vein structures, they print beautifully.

Solar Etching @ Home

I recently acquired a new toy - a UV Vacuum unit which will allow me to expose my solar etching plates at home, with a high success rate.

 

I bought it from a company in China, it cost just under $500AUD including freight.

I set it up in a temporary darkroom in our main bathroom, I chose the bathroom as it only has one small window and I could use the bathtub as a washout area.

Note the black cloth over the window, stuck on with velcro and bluetac.  Unfortunately it had a bad habit of falling down but I didn't want anything permanent up there.  Might rethink that for next time though!

To use the solar unit, I also purchased a dot screen, the most expensive bit of plastic I have ever bought - $65 for an A3 sheet, but a necessary part of successful etching plates.

Based on timing advice from fellow printmaker, Liz Burton, I firstly did a test plate, which was hugely successful.  15 seconds vacuum which seals the plate etc against the glass, then 50 seconds for the exposure, for both the screen and transparency.

This is a print from my test plate (part of a drawing of various seed pots).....

I then exposed an A4 sized plate for a series of works for Impress Printmaker's Vie de Pacifique exhibition.  I will post some photos of the completed works soon.

I guess the only problem with a new toy is finding a spot in the studio for it!

Some prints from my Woodgate Trip

Last week on my 'printing' holiday at Woodgate, I produced many monoprints.  Some photos of these are below.... most of the prints I will be incorporating into book structures, most based around the concertina form - accordian with tunnel, back to back accordian etc.

 

I sourced my materials from the shoreline, trees on the sand dunes, and from the swamp lands near the Woodgate township.

 

I particularly enjoyed working with ferns, using the fronds as a pallete to capture the texture of objects used in successive print layers.  The magic of monoprinting really inspires me to push the boundaries and discover new ways of printing.  I have just perfected a new technique of printing from other prints - hence I only need to ink up my plate once to produce at least 4 prints.

 

I find its important for me to print regularly, even if its simple monoprinting, I can always learn something new and get inspired whilst I print.  Most of my prints are composed and developed as I work, not a lot of preplanning required.  This time at Woodgate however I carefully prepared my papers before I started printing so that the paper sizes suited the book structures I was aiming for.

 

Watch this space for the books I create. 

 

 

Fern collected from Tea-tree swamp

Cotton tree leaf and casuarina fronds

Guinea Fowl stencil with chine colle paper pattern

Andy Goldsworthy

I found this on the web http://vimeo.com/40558291 a 10 minute video giving insight into the construction of the new Andy Goldsworthy scuplture "Strangler Cairn" in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Its such an amazing work.  I love Andy's passion and respect for the natural world.  "Strangler Cairn" has become quite controversial in the current political climate in Queensland due to the amount of money spent (the previous Labour government's project).

Its definately on my agenda to get in and see it in its early stages, and to watch it develop over the years.  Fingers crossed that someone doesn't decide to interfere with it.

More information on http://www.artplace.arts.qld.gov.au/projects/completedprojects?gal=56

Woodgate Art Retreat

I'm blogging from the deck of my Woodgate holiday house.   I've got a week here with fellow artist Cathy Money, to inspire our art practices with the natural beauty of this sleepy little coastal town, 40kms from Childers.  To keep us company we have brought along our Mums.

So far, we have explored the banksias and wetlands of the national park, as well as tidal creeks and the exensive shoreline running the length of Woodgate.

We have set up a studio in the downstairs kitchen of the house.   Its a massive house with 5 bedrooms and 2 kitchens, so we each have a bedroom and we can keep our studio and working area separate from our living areas.

I'll post some images of  my work in the coming days.  Ok, now back to printing!

early morning on the beach

 

a morning walk with seagulls

Cathy working on location in the national park

in the studio, inking up a plate

Thumper set up in the downstairs kitchen 'studio',
using the extra long bed

Treading Lightly

This week I ran an Eco-dyeing on Paper workshop with 10 enthusastic ladies (plus my always helpful Mum, Jan).

I had 3 pots of 'brew' going throughout the day, and thanks to my bike rides in the Woodford forest the previous Sunday, I had collected plenty of leaves.  All of the leaves were picked from the ground or were on branches that had fallen.  Lucky for me the August westerly winds had provided me with plenty of fresh leaf matter.

At the workshop, we spent the first part of the day creating samplers using the different dye pots, then everyone made a large concertina book (snake format) using the Raines Watercolour Paper.  Experiments were made using different leaves, onion skins, strawberries, grapes, and metal.  I had 2 stainless steel pots and an aluminium pot, with the addition of iron and, in some brews, alum.  This created some varied and interesting results.  I just hope everyone took my advice and documented their experiments as they proceeded, this is really important if you want to replicate your favourite effects or learn what doesn't work.

Once again I acknowledge India Flint, its been 2 years since I did her workshop and I'm still enjoying and exploring the concepts she shared then.  I highly recommend her book EcoColour.  Its full of information and inspiration, I hope everyone who reads it gets a sense of what eco-dyeing really is and the spirit behind it.  Remember, WINDFALL and MINDFULLNESS. 

If you're interested in joining me on an Eco-dyeing on Paper adventure, please submit your name to my mailing list via my website www.sandrapearce.com.au




Some of the results - a beautiful snake format concertina book,
eco-dyed with leaves, onion skins, metal and other goodies

Leaves and onion skins on paper,
beautiful marks created by nature

These ecodyed samplers looked beautiful in the sun

Opening the bundles after dyeing,
joy, intrigue, 'not what I expected'....
but expect the unexpected when dealing with nature!

The 3 pots of 'brew' simmering and stewing...

Bundles ready to go into the pots,
a work of art itself

 

'Look at what we did today'!

Magnetic Island Retreat

Last week my partner Craig and I escaped to Magnetic Island, off the Queensland north coast, for a few days of relaxation and exploration in the warmth of the tropics.

Magnetic Island has national park, secluded beaches and stunning coral reefs.  I loved the ruggedness of the large granite boulders and tall hoop pines.  In contrast, I really enjoyed our luxury accomodation on the harbour, watching the comings and goings of the islanders and tourists!  We are normally campers but this time decided on an indulgent 'romantic getaway' package.  I even allowed myself the luxury of a massage.....nice.

But of course I can't go on holiday without my art fix, so this time I took a gelli plate and my paints (a total of 4 kilos of art materials!) and spent an hour or so in the afternoons printing with leaves that I had picked up during the day.

I'm currently working on making some of the envelopes into a travel diary book, using the envelopes to store postcards, photos and other memories of our trip.

A first print using gum leaves and netting
 onto white envelopes

Some of my prints from my first printing day

I'm busy printing, luckily we dined out every day so
I could take over the dining table for my printing station!

now, what have we got this time?

I'm printing onto large tags (thanks Karin!)
as well as assorted papers like cartridge and kozo

Printing onto envelopes.
 I worked with quick drying acrylic paint
so I was able to print on both sides in one session.

Craig & I about to embark on a snorkelling session.
The coral was beautiful but the water was COLD!

Eco-dyeing Workshop

For those in South-East Queensland, I'm running an Eco-Dyeing on Paper Workshop on Wednesday 15 August 2012 (Ekka Public Holiday for Brisbane residents).

Workshop details –

Date: 15 August 2012
Time:  10am to 3pm

Cost: $70 all materials included
Location: Former St Mary Magdalene's (Anglican church), 80 Boundary Road, Bardon

This day is an opportunity for you to play with eco-dyeing on paper, using natural materials to create exciting colours and marks on paper.  It’s a technique which is non-toxic and heaps of fun.  You’ll make a sampler first to experiment, then create a long snake concertina book which can be embellished after dyeing with printing, drawing and/or stamping.

This workshop will give you the knowledge and inspiration to continue dyeing at home, creating your own ‘witches brew’!

If you’re interested in booking in, please email me to confirm.

Eco-Dyed Concertina Snake Book with monoprints

Close up

Revealing the magic....

Eco-dyeing, the gold is from Bracken Fern

Putting the paper bundles in the dye pot

Samford Arts and Crafts

Have you been to Samford recently?

Well, on your next visit make sure you drop in to the Samford Slab Hut, an arts and crafts co-operative with over 60 active members.

Its located in John Scott Park in the main street of Samford, on the north-eastern side of the park.

The building is a reproduction of a traditional slab hut, with local timbers and recycled corrugated iron as well as a few modern conveniences like air conditioning.  The hut sits amongst beautiful gardens in the park and is a very relaxing place to visit and enjoy the goodies inside.

There's a big variety of arts and crafts by the members, who each do a day of roster each month. 

I am a member and I have my monoprinting artworks for sale, including framed prints and books.  I enjoy my day of roster as it enables me to meet the public and talk about my work, and see what they are interested in.  I usually buy something for myself because I have all day to browse and get tempted!

The Samford Slab Hut



Just one view of the art for sale, great for gifts!

Some of my work on display