Barbados Again!

We loved Barbados so much, we went back! This time with some days set aside to do some printmaking with students at the Barbados Community College and artists from the community. 
Heidi Berger put together the list of artists and met with the all the right people at the college
to make sure that everything would work out for all involved. We were a big group and excitingly diverse in art practices. I convinced them that monotype would be fast and fun and help to open up any areas in your creative life that were maybe a bit stuck. It did not take us very long to get going and the response for anyone hesitating too long was, ' just dive in'. We completed 160 monotypes (most with chine collé) in four days. The whole experience for me was breathtaking. I think it revitalized so many good feelings I have about printmaking, through the sharing- and with such a diverse group, we covered so much!

Much thanks to Allison for helping to make it happen, Terry the technician for making sure
everything was just right for us when we arrived and Aurelia for hanging out and making sure everything was just right every day! Last but not least, our most wonderful super assistant (and my husband), Chris. 

These are some of the photos Heidi and Chris took of the process, prints made and of course lots of happy artists. 

A Little Bit of Monoprinting

I have been promising Heidi Berger and Becky Comber a short monoprinting how-to, when the three of our schedules allowed. Luckily we found some time last week to get started. I think they both enjoyed themselves with the new techniques and we stayed later than planned. I think we will have to do some follow up sessions soon.

Becky's second print, experimenting with texture and colour.

These last four lovely shots were by Heidi and Becky

Becky trying to find a little corner of the fine gampi to lift up

Heidi's first monoprint with chine collé

My concentrating face...always a bit more nerve wracking with other people work.

January Print Workshops

This is the last session of workshops that I will be able to do until the Summer... or possibly the Fall.  I have long lists of people interested in printing and trying new art techniques but then some of you get cold feet. Don't be afraid of printmaking, you will have loads of fun and there is always a great crowd of lovely people who make up my classes. All of that and you will take home some pretty wonderful art that you made yourself. Classes are small so that you are able to work on the press lots. If you are interested and the dates and times listed do not suit you, please let me know. Occasionally I have had enough people request the same times and could run a workshop at an alternate date and time. 

Workshops in January:

Monoprinting with chine collé:  Tuesday January 13th, 20th, 27th, 12-4pm

This workshop is open to the beginner as well as the more experienced artist, with a focus on water based etching inks (Akua and Charbonnel) for monotype printmaking using the etching press. We will explore the many ways in which we can create a one-of-a-kind painterly print; additive and subtractive methods of applying ink to the plate surface, the use of brayers, brushes and stencils, chine collé, texture transferring, multiple plate printing and registration.

Monotpe printmaking can be a very spontaneous and satisfying way to work and often inspires work in other mediums because of quick results and the variety of techniques used.  Lots of wonderful papers and only the best of inks will be available for inspired experimentation.

Collography with chine collé:  Thursday January 22nd, 29th and February 5th & 12th,  6-9pm
The collagraph print is made from collaged materials that make up the printing plate.  The collagraph print begins with a cardboard plate that we build on with various found materials to create the impression we want. We will be printing the plate as both an intaglio and relief print, which will allow us to print multiple colours in one pass. This workshop is open to the beginner as well as the more experienced artist.

Etching with chine collé:      Sunday January 11th, 18th & 24th,  12-4pm

This year I am introducing an etching workshop. We will be etching in copper plate with line and using aqua tint to create tonal variation as well as some drypoint. The technique we will be using is, I won't say non-toxic but, very low toxicity. In the end we will produce an edition of prints from our etched plate as well as a number of monoprints.  Different chine collé techniques will also be covered.

*only two spots left for this workshop

*all materials are included and each course is $180. +hst

Open Press times: I am going to leave these open as they tend to be more flexible. Please get in touch with me if you are looking to use an etching or book press (or both). *some basic studio materials are included, excluding papers.