Monday, July 30, 2012

Monotype Prints - Seashells

A few weeks ago, myself and fellow artist Jeanette Jobson took to my studio (affectionately named "The Shed") and had some fun with monotype prints. For a complete definition of a monotype print, please see below for the reference from Wikipedia.

I had ordered a couple of Gelli plates from Gelli Arts and wanted to try them out! I also ordered some printing papers from Curry's Art Supplies....several thicker printing papers (Stonehenge and Velin) and a variety of Japanese printing papers (Okawara, Gampi, Kawairi and Kozuke). So I was all set to print.

I had an idea in my head for a while...seashells....I love seashells...so I made several prints....I did some other designs as well that I really liked. Over the next couple of days I made some more prints as well. Below is a sample of some of the shell prints I did....all are using acrylic paints.

We have another printing session scheduled for August 18th with the entire Arts Northeast group....can't wait!!!

Let me know how you like them!

"Callidoscope" on Subi

"Sandy Shells" on Velin

"Stars of the Sea" on Stonehenge Grey



From Wikipedia:

Monotyping is a type of printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The surface, was historically a copper etching plate, but in contemporary work it can vary from zinc or glass to acrylic glass. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together. Monotypes can also be created by inking an entire surface and then removing ink to create a subtractive image, e.g. creating lights from a field of opaque colour.

Monotyping produces a unique print, or monotype; most of the ink is removed during the initial pressing. Although subsequent reprintings are sometimes possible and are called "ghost prints." Oil and acrylic paints can also be used in lieu of inks.

Historically, the terms Monotype and Monoprint were often used interchangeably. More recently, however, these are now used to refer to very similar types of printmaking which are somewhat different. In the case of monotypes, the plate is a featureless plate that contains no features that will impart any definition to successive prints. In the absence of any permanent features on the surface of the plate, all articulation of imagery is dependent on one unique inking, resulting in one unique print. Monoprints, on the other hand, now refers to the results of plates that have permanent features on them. Monoprints can be thought of as variations on a theme, with the theme resulting from some permanent features being found on the plate—lines, textures—that persist from print to print. Variations are confined to those resulting from how the plate is inked prior to each print. The variations are endless, but certain permanent features on the plate will tend to persist from one print to the next.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Christmas in July - Last week!

Week 4: July 24 - 31

Last week of Christmas in July, and I saved the best for last...On sale this week...original artwork!


50% - 75% OFF

"The Grass is Greener"

Wild West - Regular $120 SALE $60 (50%)
The Window - Regular $290 SALE $180 (50%)
Forest Floor - Regular $250 SALE $63 (75%)
Calla Lily - Regular $350 SALE $140 (60%)
Canada Lily - Regular $350 SALE $140 (60%)
Blue Flag Iris - Regular $400 SALE $160 (60%)
Newfoundland at Night - Regular $400 SALE $160 (60%)
Trio - Regular $375 SALE $94 (75%)
Ducks at Dusk - Regular $500 SALE $125 (75%)
Hills of Torbay - Regular $550 SALE $220 (60%)
Morning Glory - Regular $500 SALE $125 (75%)
One - Regular $500 SALE $200 (60%)
Rainbow Falls-Hopeall - Regular $450 SALE $113 (75%)
Red Sky at Night - Regular $450 SALE $113 (75%)
Tulips - Regular $425 SALE $170 (60%)
Wired - Regular $600 SALE $240 (60%)
Mom's Favourites - Regular $750 SALE $375 (50%)
Simply Susan - Regular $800 SALE $320 (60%)
Truly Canadian - Regular $1,000 SALE $250 (75%)
The Grass is Greener - Regular $1,150 SALE $460 (60%)

Contact me directly.....Merry Christmas in July!!!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Christmas in July - Week 3

Week 3 - July 16-23

On sale this week...gift ideas! Limited quantities available

Handpainted Glass Christmas Ornaments
Set of 4 Large or Set of 6 Small
Rosebuds or Gold Trees
Regular $15/set
SALE $5/set

Handpainted Sleds
Regular $10/each
SALE $5/each or 3 for $10

Note Cards
Flowers or Christmas Small cards (set of 5)
Landscape or Monochromatics Large cards (set of 4)
"The Window" or "Hint of Yellow" Small cards (set of 6)
Regular $12/set
SALE $5/set

Handpainted Suncatchers (size 8" x 10")
Sunflower, Lighthouse, Santa, or Snowman
Regular $125
SALE $50



Sunday, July 8, 2012

2012 Update - Second Quarter

The second quarter of 2012 has also flown by quite quickly...Updates for the second quarter and in Red Text.
Artist Goals 2012: To continue to find avenues to learn, produce and display artwork.
Learn:
· Continue to increase my knowledge of various painting techniques and styles through online courses and/or local workshops. I've been participating in some webinar courses by Johannes Vloothuis, and will continue to do so throughout the year, as long as he keeps offering them...  Johannes has been quiet lately for the summer, but I've got a few new things lined up that I'm going to try, including monotype printing.
· Start a monthly painting challenge where we will focus on a particular technique or subject to explore. I have posted 2 painting challenges so far this year, not quite monthly... Ok, perhaps quarterly would be better....another challenge to be posted soon.
· Start a “create together” day once a month for the members of Arts Northeast to learn from each other, and perhaps have guest participants to increase our knowledge. Attempted, but have not been able to meet due to changing work schedules, snowbirds, and weather. Should start in June. More delays....but we have a date set for August 18th!
Produce:
· Create a defined body of work (10-20 pieces) using a theme. Have started this...a lot of research completed and 2 pieces painted. Distracted by painting for the Arts Northeast exhibition. I had anticipated if we had 2 shows this year with Arts Northeast, then this goal will span into 2013 as well. One more is sketched out and ready to go up on the easel to paint! Reviewed my list of ideas for next paintings....going to work on one when I finish this update.
· Create up to 30 pieces of artwork for 2 exhibitions in 2012 with Arts Northeast. Created 14 new pieces for the May show. On target if we have 2 exhibitions.... Another exhibition scheduled for November 1st....stay tuned for more info as it becomes available....target of at least 6 new pieces for this....
· Spend more time sketching/drawing by completing one small piece per week. Not quite one a week, but art is moving forward. Ok, not so much, but have plans to pack my coloured pencils and sketchbook for vacation!
· Complete more plein air paintings. It's Newfoundland....way to cold to venture out for this yet. This is strictly a summer/fall activity. Ok, so can you beleive its been TOO HOT? Yes, true.....so no plein aire yet....
· Complete several winter/Christmas theme artwork. One completed and one sketched in ready to go.... Too hot to think about snow...lol
Display:
· Increase my online presence through use of facebook, my website, my blog and online art stores, such as Kijiji, Fine Art America, Etsy, and Zazzle. Original artwork and photography online with Fine Art America, Etsy, and ImageKind. Prints listed on Kijiji. Now posting with Twitter. New blog set up for Arts Northeast. Completing free online tutorials on a variety of painting subjects for my website for student use. New tutorial almost ready to roll out on paint brushes. Keeping other online avenues up and running....
· Explore venues for two exhibitions with Arts Northeast. One exhibition complete...decision on second one for this year tomorrow. Second exhibition and sale a go for November 1st. More details to come.
· Explore venues for exhibitions outside of the Northeast Avalon. Contacted one gallery and working on a few others. Delaying until 2013.
· Submit artwork to juried and non-juried art competitions/exhibits locally and globally. Have passed on this so far this year...subjects of local exhibits have not struck my fancy at this time. Again, nothing has struck my fancy yet...tried to complete a painting for one local exhibition, but time was not on my side.
Progress in 2012 is still continuing....more to come.

Christmas in July SALE - Week 2

Week 2: July 7 - 13

This week's sale is on my matted original photography. Click on the Photography Gallery tab on my website and view the photos in the Christmas in July Galleries (there are 2 galleries). All photos are signed and named 5" x 7" in a mat that can fit into a frame that is 8" x 10". Regular price - $12/matted photo

SALE Pricing:
1 photo - $10
2 photos - $15
3 photos - $20
4 photos - $25
5th or higher photos - $5 each