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“It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.” Aesop
Aesop was right – these little birds are fashioned of upcycled/recycled wool sweaters, felted and dyed, and embellished with a variety of materials. Paula Singleton’s felted flowers, available at What a Great Hat and in her Etsy shop, were the inspiration for this series of blackbird brooches.
The basic brooch uses both black and grey felted wool for a two-tone look. The fashionista crows then don feathers, embroidery, buttons or beads to add a bit of pizazz to their look. A selection is currently available at Joan Colbert Studios at Summit Artspace.
Winter Night
monotype
Summer Moon
monotype
Both monotypes are available at Joan Colbert Studios at Summit Artspace.
The choices of methods and materials for creating monotypes is unlimited, but the process is basically the same: a plate is inked and a print is made. The magic happens between the application of the ink to the plate and the pulling of the print – the results, often unexpected, have an exciting air of spontaneity.
The cold winter nights have provided many opportunities for moon watching. January Moon recalls an incredibly windy sky with a crescent moon appearing through the scuttling clouds. On a quieter evening the Man in the Moon kept watch.
January Moon
Man in the Moon
In Ohio there is nothing unusual about a brief January thaw – this year’s came with a couple days of downpours, closer to what would be expected a few months from now when the Rain falls on a green landscape rather than melting snow.
Rain
The inks used in these monotypes are Createx Monotype Colors. After the ink dries on plexiglas plates dampened paper is used for printing. Below are undercoated plates ready for ink.
Each January The Bath Church UCC graciously opens its doors to artists and the public for the Epiphany Arts Festival.
“Epiphany occurs as nature begins to move from shorter and darker to longer and brighter days. It is in this special time that the church seeks to celebrate the artists among us who offer their insights and talents to the world.” from the Epiphany Arts Festival Statement of Purpose
It is always an honor to be invited to participate in this exhibit which features a tremendous variety of styles and media. This year’s entries are two small monotypes with a decidedly spring-like feel:
Morning Dew
Windflowers
Hmmm. . .
according to James Lipton’s An Exaltation of Larks or The Venereal Game, a group of turkeys is a rafter, while a congregation of roosting crows is a murder. Given the season it’s quite possible that this turkey decided it might be safer to hang out with the blackbirds despite the ominous name – after all, most everyone avoids having to eat crow!
Turkey + Crows
hand colored block print
Brothers Pete and John are certainly a delightful pair! These mixed media portraits were completed this past fall, commissioned as a gift for their parents. Matted and framed to 11 x 14 inches, the paintings are large enough for the wall, but can also be accommodated on a shelf or table.
initial watercolor wash
Tags: portrait
There have been some incredible night skies this fall. While the city lights make stargazing a bit difficult, the moon has at times been so big and bold that streetlights seem dim in comparison. A recent monotype fast forwards to winter branches sillhouetted by the coming Winter Moon. It is now hanging outside the studio at Summit Artspace with two earlier prints, bringing a little moonlight indoors.
Winter Moon
La Lune
Autumn Moon
Each day during American Craft Week Don Drumm Studios & Gallery offers an afternoon workshop for anyone who wants to try a new medium or learn new techniques. First up was the Monotype Workshop, held on a very chilly Monday. After a brief intro on relief printing by hand, the enthusiastic participants gave monotype printing a try. Despite the falling temperatures and the temperamental ink everyone enthusiastically embraced the unpredictable nature of the medium and went home with an impressive selection of prints.
photo courtesy of Don Drumm Studios & Gallery
The monotypes below are among new work printed before the workshop.
Windflowers
monotype (Createx ink)
Autumn
monotype (Createx ink)
Other workshops included Feather Earrings with Renee Armstrong, Felted Flowers with Paula Singleton and Creating with Found Objects with Shannon Casey. American Craft Week at Drumm’s ended with the 4th Annual Light-UP Lantern Festival on Saturday evening.
In recent years Child Guidance & Family Solutions, a behavioral healthcare agency in Summit County, chooses work by a local artist for its annual report. Rephrasing that: artwork is chosen for a poster – with the annual report printed on the back. What a super idea! The original artwork, if donated, is auctioned off at their fundraising event, Growing Up Akron. The posters/annual reports are distributed to their many supporters and associates.
For 2012 I created a new mixed media piece in the Imprints series just for CG&FS. In keeping with the agency’s mission and this year’s theme of community, I included a bit of childlike imagery and used a bright palette to keep things upbeat.
Imprints/Out + About
mixed media
2012
Child Guidance & Family Solutions poster (detail)
