Exploring new media

I have never made a woodcut before...the idea is a bit intimidating, so I went for the easy starter version of block printing.

Using my Pop's 20+ year old speedball set, I carved my first two blocks yesterday in the studio.

I used the easy carve blocks, they are essentially giant rubber erasers...so carving is a breeze!

I took a couple drawing with me, hoping to copy them onto the rubber blocks easily, but the carbon transfer paper does not work on them. So I re-drew the images and started carving.

After making this first block, I began to realize how to think of black and white and vary the lines and shapes...

the second block went a little better and made me realize that I want to make more of these.

New workspace and new work

Well it has been quite an exciting time for me, creatively speaking.

I have been accepted to a local printmaking group, Inkspots.

This exciting news allows me a place to print on a flatbed press and work with other printmakers in a creative and supportive environment.

Super exciting and a big personal step for me, as this now means I am an artist with a workspace! Aside from my kitchen table!

I took this photo of the work area yesterday when I signed the papers of rental agreement.

As for other news, I am currently working on some new images for solar plates; class has started again, giving me the ability to use the press in Santa Barbara as well as experiment in a classroom setting and not be afraid of "wasting" valuable art supplies.

Here I am working on one of my newest ideas:

One of my solar plates was even featured on a website!
Here is the link:
http://photographersofetsy.blogspot.com/2008/09/welcome-new-team-members_24.html

New images coming soon to the shop and some of my photographs will be for sale REAL soon.
Honest!

Thanks for stopping by