Preparing for Oxton Art Fair

The kitchen table has been a hive of activity lately - I have been doing heaps of mount cutting and framing in preparation for a Christmas flurry of direct selling events. To keep costs down I will be using off the shelf frames as well as showing some pieces in bespoke frames. A theme in my work in 2013 has been to explore dry point etching techniques and apply metallic flakes to certain areas once the prints have dried here are a few examples that will be exhibited at Oxton Art Fair and St George's Hall 

                                                

                                

                                                 

Preparations for Movember

On the 12th November 2013 we will be staging a drawing event with students in Animation & the Faculty of Art and Creative Technologies.  Its for "Movember" http://uk.movember.com/ and the aim will be to wear/grow moustaches, to do lots of Mo portrait drawings and to raise funds for Mens Health Organisations and Charities here is the flyer for the event and some practice mixed media portraits I have been trying out in my Moleskine sketch books. We have been inspired to do this by some of our talented Alumni: Rob Cureton http://www.orfulcomics.co.uk/ Malcolm Mole http://www.linkedin.com/pub/malcolm-mole/a/81/893?_mSplash=1 to name but two.......

                                                  

                               

Works on Paper - Exhibition

Over the summer I have spent most of my time running around after my Kids but I have found time to "disappear" into my printmaking and drawing too. I was preparing for a group show at Staacks Gallery in West Kirby Wirral. Most of the Intaglio work was proofed at the Bluecoat Print Studio in Liverpool but I also managed to make some work during my short visit to Artichoke Print, Brixton. 

The show of Intaglio and Relief prints, runs throughout September and features work by Frieda McKitrick & Elaine Adams. 

                        

                       

                        

Acorns

Was out walking in Handbridge,Chester and we found an acorn tree by the river. The acorns from the tree were the most beautiful shade of green and gave me further inspiration to progress work on a print. I have got to the proofing stage so far. 

                                

                               

                                

Metallic leaf flakes

Finally got hold of some metallic leaf flakes which I have applied to a print. First I applied PVA glue to the two colour print on Thai Three Flakes paper. I used a small soft brush to pick up the leaf and apply it to the area. Used a large soft brush to wipe of the excess. 

                                 

Trelowarren Owls

Been away on holiday for two weeks in Cornwall with very erratic Internet so neglected blogging but did plenty of drawing and framed  up 10 prints for the up coming group show "works on paper"  in Staacks Gallery West Kirby in September. worked on a new print on Thai Three Flakes Paper using foam stencil technique "Trelowarren Owls." 

                            

                             

This is a shot of Lamorna: 

                             

Ten colour separations

Just finished my first ever large 10 colour relief print on Thai Three Flakes Paper. It was a new challenge. One of the advantages of working from home is that as each colour dries I could get on with neglected domestic chores - I averaged about two colours a day - it has made me recollect the time I started printing in December 2009.  For several years  I worked on one or two colours striving to perfect that.  In summer 2011 I made my first three colour mini prints and worked for a year on that. In 2013 I did my first 5 colour print. Now I am starting to have ambitions to work in multiple colours to produce larger prints. Printing is such a satisfying and intriguing process, you make a mistake and it sets you off in a totally new direction. It brings together the technical and creative. It demonstrates two of my favourite things -  art and design.