Easton Show, A Sideways Step into Print and a Big Blue Bee

I have said before, if the blog is quiet it’s because my life is not. How true. Just two weeks before our Easton Group Show and I am looking at the pile of “stuff”, sketches, prints, half started paintings. etc. What to do with all this?

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I have regarded this year as one of experimentation, I have researched, studied, thought and made many, many sketches and notes, more than I could ever put on the blog.
It’s been a year to meet other artists and share ideas and to explore some new directions.  It has been illuminating.

So for me the Easton Show will be a sort of marker, the end of one phase and the beginning of the next. With a very exciting solo show at Easton arranged for a years time, it’s on with forward planning and a few changes in what I do and how I work.

Letterpress, Print and Books

Number one on my list will be my delayed side step into printmaking.
I now have my lovely small Rollaco Press, my big old Cropper Charlton nipping press and a little old Adana housed in the garage and we are ready to go.

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Rollaco Press with bee

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The big old nipping press with my much prized Boxcar Press apron.

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Adana poised and ready….

I had been exploring letterpress again when I was in Orlando with the very excellent guys at Mamas Sauce whose enthusiasm and dedication to all things printy was so inspiring.

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Mamas Sauce Printshop in Orlando

Although we are not there anymore I still keep up with what they are doing. See their site for some wonderful printmaking, links and videos. There will be planned returns to St Brides in London where I printed “Rook” …

 

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St Brides Foundation London Print Museum and Courses.

And a hopeful trip to the USA to the fabulous Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum next year.

There will be making small books, inspirational prints and maybe a ranting broadside or two. So adventures with lino and the press started just this week with a very simple bee! (what else).
The huge new queen Bombus terrestris are out and about. They were my inspiration and  I may call her the “Easton Bee” in tribute!

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Many bees

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And in other colours too!

Big Blue Bee for Easton

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Image 6×4”reduction print on Hosho paper.

I really do intend ( Yes ..I do know all about hells road..but a girl has to try)  to get back to the blog with a perhaps a bit of a printy make over for that too.

I hope you will join me.