words + pictures from the studio of Joan Colbert
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Of the five planned botanical prints of Solanaceae pairs, four combine a poisonous plant with a vegetable. The remaining one is a floral, featuring Deadly Nightshade and Petunia. The edition of Loves Me Not is finished – and it’s a good guess that the romance is too! There’s no doubt that Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) is heartless, but the pretty Petunia? In the Language of Flowers it actually symbolizes anger and resentment.
Tags: belladonna, block print, deadly nightshade, linocut, petunia, poison, printmaking, Solanaceae, wasp
It figures. Last week I printed the small edition of the woody nightshade/tomato print and a day later decided I was somewhat unhappy with it. It was that darn black sheep, living up to his troublemaking reputation. Actually, it really was the black sheep, but the problem was my fault. His curly fur was too busy and too distracting. It was very tempting to just recut the block, but first I decided to try my hand at pochoir and change the existing print.
Using a stencil (the French/English translation of pochoir) I was able to lightly roll ink over the small area of white curlicues and successfully redeem the disappointing image.
Pleased with the results, I titled the print, Bittersweet, not just for the woody nightshade wallpaper, but for the happy ending.
Tags: black sheep, linocut, pochoir, poison, printmaking, relief print, Solanaceae, stencil, tomato, woody nightshade
Things are heating up both inside and out! Smokin’ Hot is the most recent addition to the Solanaceae prints, combining the fierce Capsicum (chili pepper) with its deadly cousin Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco).
For more information on the series visit As Potent as a Charm on my website.
Tags: block print, chili pepper, linocut, printmaking, relief print, skeleton, Solanaceae, tobacco
It’s exciting to finally begin printing the pieces in the Solanaceae group, the newest in the As Potent as a Charm series. Solanaceae contains both botanical bad guys and garden favorites, so each will feature an unlikely pairing, such as the Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, with Woody Nightshade, Solanum dulcamara, in this yet to be titled print.
Tags: block print, linocut, poison, printmaking, Solanaceae, tomato, woody nightshade
This year’s Open Studio was a delight! Once again the weather was at its springtime best (maybe the Sunday following Mother’s Day is magical) even though it rained for much of the preceding week. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and congratulations to door prize winners, Wendy, Dan and Annie Lou!
When asked, I normally say that it’s been about twenty years since my first open studio. Actually, this was number twenty-two. In the early 1990s Akron/Summit County artists participated in Cleveland’s NOVA (New Organization for the Visual Arts) Open Studio Days. When NOVA folded, many of the Akron area artists continued to host open studios, but interest waned after a few years. Apparently I never got the memo that the event had been discontinued. . . and I’m glad I didn’t!
After the last guests departed Dylan let me know just how much work was involved in being a semi-official greeter all day!
The little kitty caught me in his tractor beam stare and resistance was futile! Spirit World, by Roza Maille, came home with me from the Artists of Rubber City Postcard Show.
It was no surprise that sales were brisk during the Friday evening opening reception – the selection of small original art was incredible. A variety of frames were also available, with proceeds from all purchases benefiting The BOX Gallery. It’s difficult to contain the awesomeness of Spirit World, but this frame comes mighty close!
The Artists of Rubber City Postcard Show continues through May 3, 2015 at The Box Gallery, 140 East Market Street, Akron, Ohio.
Artists of Rubber City announced a benefit event to raise funds for The BOX Gallery and it promises to be fun. Artists were asked to donate handmade postcards, aka 4 x 6 inch art, for a show and sale. The first of my submissions, Thicket, is a monotype, while the second is a bit of mixed media using a windowed envelope with its printed lining, titled The Purloined Letter(s).
Like Edgar Allan Poe’s purloined letter, the contents are hiding in plain sight. Discerning the message is almost as puzzling as deciphering the meaning of Jacques Lacan’s writings on The Purloined Letter. His quote, “Which is why we cannot say of the purloined letter that, like other objects, it must be or not be in a particular place but that unlike them it will be and not be where it is, wherever it goes.” is lettered on the front. I doubt whether even C. Auguste Dupin could figure out that message.
For a few years now, art exhibits have been greeting travelers who pass through the Akron-Canton Airport thanks to the efforts of artist, Michele Waalkes, and funding from both the airport and Arts in Stark. Summit and Stark County artists are paired in the exhibits that run for about four months. Currently my work, alongside digital illustrations by Michael Weiss, is on display at the security gateway. Should you be flying through CAK between now and August be sure to take a look!
Black sheep and skeletons in the closet . . .
even the plant world has its share of family secrets, eccentrics and deviants.
Consider the family Solanaceae, commonly referred to as either the nightshade or potato family: members of this unwieldy clan run the gamut from the meek to the murderous.
The final line drawings of five pairings of Solanaceae are ready to be transferred to linoleum blocks – the newest in the As Potent as a Charm series. In each combination the virtuous shares space with the disreputable.
Look for mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) and the potato (Solanum tuberosa), deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and Petunia, henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) and eggplant (Solanum melongena), bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), along with tobacco (Nicotiana) and chili pepper (Capsicum). With about 2,690 additional species, the history of the Solanaceae family’s interaction with humans is one of dramatic trial and error, malevolence and goodwill.
The Solanaceae relief prints will be included in a solo exhibit late this year:
As Potent as a Charm
December 4 – 31, 2015
the BOX gallery
140 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
Tags: line drawing, poison, printmaking, relief print, Solanaceae
Avenue, the cat, has a wonderful carpet that provided a colorful backdrop to his recent portrait. Just for fun the image was translated into a block print – less color, more magic!
Avenue’s Magic Carpet
block print (linocut) in hand embellished frame
Tags: cat, linocut, linoleum print, pet portrait, tabby
