altered board book

Tonight I finished the basic bones of an altered book for my course
this summer.This one originated as a children's board book.  I sanded
the pages, gessoed with a light layer of heavy body gesso, sponged on
acrylic paint then stamped the pages with hand carved house stamps.
I've added quotes and now will embellish with  paint, ink,and gel pens.
The cover is collaged with painted  newsprint and other papers.

do not be afraid

"Do not be afraid to go out on a limb ... That's where the fruit is."
                                                                         Anonymous

Translation...... take a chance and explore the possibilities presented in 
artwork.... that is where the excitement begins! 

styrofoam printmaking tutorial

It's easy to make a print from a styrofoam plate or meat tray.

Start by drawing a simple design on the styrofoam with a ball

point pen. Impress the design just hard enough to make an indentation 

without going through the styrofoam.

Next roll out some printing ink (or acrylic paint) on a tray. If you don't 

have a breyer you can roll the ink or paint with a small sponge paint roller. 

Roll out a thin layer of ink (or paint) over the styrofoam.  Notice the ink
lays just on top and doesn't flow into the grooves of the drawing.

Lay down your roller or breyer (on its back not resting on the roller) and
carefully lay a piece of paper over your inked design. Use the back of a spoon
or your fingertips to rub in circles over the whole design. (This ensures that
all inked areas of the design are transferred cleanly to the paper)

Carefully peel the design off of the styrofoam plate and voila! you have made your
first print.  Repeat the process as many times as you wish.  Be sure to clean off
your plate so that later prints will not be clogged with dried ink or paint.

Good luck and happy printing!
I love comments and sharing.  I have lots of different ideas if you have questions about
other printmaking projects!

trees

Trees seem to appear in so much of my artwork..... they are lovely, inspiring
and where I live they are surrounding too.   This three colour print is deep in the
forest where only a few rays of sunlight peek through.  

bark

One of my favourite picture books is the Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

The tree loves a little boy. She gives her fruit, shade, leaves and branches.

When she has given all she has, her trunk bears a heart of love in remembrance.

Getting the bark just right was easy here..... I took a photo of the tree trunk, 

printed and photocopied it then used gel medium to transfer it to the battleship 

linoleum ready for carving. 

It is printed with waterbased ink on japanese printing paper.

texture

The challenge of one colour lino prints is to find a way to 

incorporate every texture.  Grass, bark, water, sky..... they all have

their own unique texture and it's fun finding a way of carving it 

so it looks just the way it would feel!