Saturday, July 28, 2012

Catching up!

Hello everyone!  I have now finished 'open access' at University and the printroom is closed until the end of September!  I feel quite bereft... I dream of having my own press... hopefully one day....  but now it's time to paint.

It has certainly been a busy few weeks, lots of printing and filling of orders, experimenting with spit bite and soft ground, travelling up and down to London twice, and watching the City Bumps.  

And the sun finally came out!
Melanie's Garden - I drew the Agapanthus first and didn't really like it, so I sanded it down and drew the seedheads on top of the image.   This has pushed it into the background and it's something I am going to develop further I think. 
Drawings from Melanie's garden
Experimenting with colour and two plates.  The aim was to learn how to register two plates.. the key is to use a large sheet of paper to trap under the roller and register blocks.  All very tricky!
Drypoint in Progress
Spit Bite - not terribly successful, but some nice tones




The reason for the London visits was because I got shortlisted for the 'Bite' Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.  The whole process entailed submitting images online, then waiting to hear if they wanted to see them in reality.  Three were pre-selected, which I then had to get framed and carry down to London for them to view.  The wait to hear if any of them had been chosen was quite stressful but I am thrilled to tell you that I got two out of my three selected.  The exhibition dates are 3rd -15th September with a Private View on the 4th, 6 - 9 pm which of course I shall be going to!  I believe that about 220 prints have been chosen out of 1500, so I am more than 'chuffed' to have two of mine included!  It's a real honour.

I also sold my painting at the Cambridge Artworks Call for Entries!  No wonder I am feeling a little more cheery these days!

Cambridge City Bumps - my friend Melanie is fourth away from the cox with her daughter, Joss is the 'stroke' (next to the cox)  Photo by David Ponting.

On the River Cam during Cambridge City Bumps




Monday, July 2, 2012

New Website & Facebook Page

Barry has now returned to the US and I do miss him, but life goes on and I am back in the print room again, as we have open access this month.  I am also trying to finish up some paintings to send over to the US.  Plus I have finally finished my new website,  and have created a Facebook page for my work.  I hope you will take a look and 'like' my Facebook page!  Thank you!

Below are a couple of photos of some glorious roses from my Dad's garden.  Plus a finished painting... I think... although using oils again I have reverted back to my tighter style... it's so difficult to break old habits.. does anyone else find this?
Trees on a Hill 6 x 10 Oil/Panel