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?

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. 

 

Rollaco Press with bee

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

  

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.

 

 
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” …


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!

 Many bees

 

And in other colours too!

 

Big Blue Bee for Easton

 

Image 6x4”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.