The very first Linocut I ever did... early last December....
I waited so long to try this technique... gathering the tools, the ink,the blocks, the paper... all I needed was the nerve.... these materials had sat in a box on my shelf for several years and I continually would not let myself use them... I didn't know how to do it... I never saw anyone do it before... all I ever saw were finished pieces...
...with their crisp strong black & white lines.... beautiful lines...
Then one day came.... I had no other task vying for my attention.... I took the box off the shelf and started making myself familiar with the tools...... and at last began.....
cutting into the block with the sharp "V" tool felt so good.... it was one of those activities that when you start it is hard to stop............ I was afraid of that!.....
I loved it!...
I chose a Sunflower for its boldness and the feelings they conjure up when I see them in bloom...... joy... warmth... happiness.......
..... their heads turning with the sun as they follow it..... from early morning till sunset.... you really can't feel sad when you look at a sunflower... They make you feel good.... They almost make you smile....
But then it happened again...... it took a couple of months for me to get up more nerve to actually print it....
It just sat there on the shelf looking at me... I saw it every time I passed... I looked for it.... I liked looking at it.... I picked it up several times & wanted to print it.... I liked holding it... I loved it... the texture felt soooo nice... but something held me back.... suppose it was fear... of the unknown... maybe it wouldn't work... I never did it before.... would I have time for it...
Funny thing to be timid of trying something new.... something as simple as this... I couldn't stand it any longer... I dove in & did it... rolled on the ink & printed one after the other....
Ahhhhhhhh......... What a relief........
.........I have found another art form that I have fallen in love with....
approx. 2½" x 2½" printed on white card stock
11 comments:
wow! you go gurl!!!!
Beautiful print.
I too taught myself how to cut and print. A few hundred, (probably closer to 300), images later and I'm still printing away. I seriously can't stop at this point.
I guess it helps having a small press in my studio, no excuses, it's always there waiting for me. :0)
I've even managed to utilize the images from my printmaking into set and costume designs for a friends short film trilogy. If you want, you can check it out here, towards the end of the montage are the films, you may recognize some of my work.
http://www.dancerink.com/dr-videos.html
I almost went into costume design. Love making clothing with intricate detail or sheer simplicity.....I always though that set & costume design would be such an stimulating area of work... they encompass so much.
thanks so much for the link.. I'll go and check it out...
I'm the same way...leaving things on the shelf..with some projects I wonder if I'll ever get back to them...
i can totally relate to this post!
I have found another art form that I have fallen in love with maybe this was the hold up. :) there's a part of me that holds back from learning how to sew because i know there will be no holding me back from all the fabulous facbric stores out there!!
Thanks for visiting my blog recently. I really appreciate the comments you left me. Thanks again, I'll be back to visit for sure!
Your blog is lovely, another new find for me today! Your house is beautiful and so is your jewelry and I hope to visit often! Roxanne from River Garden Studio
Like your sunflower!Yes,sunflowers have this absolutely positive character:sun,summer,warmth,smile,smile,smile..
When I was a child we were doing a lot of linocuts at primary school and still now children are working in this technique..this is very often here..my older daughter who is studing a graphics design works also often linocuts.
OK, so now, after extended procrastination and making excuses even my three year old wouldn't fall for, I have come across your post and been inspired to take the plunge. Like you, I have tools and paper which have teased me softly from a shelf. Why does linocut have this influence on people. How intimidating could it really be, after all?
So, here goes. This weekend will be my first cut into the virgin lino square. Wish me luck, and thanks for sharing your first cut.
~Sonya
(Sagoontuesdays)
Sonya, Great, one more addict... I really enjoyed your comments... and am very interested in seeing what you are going to do..
there now you have to do it!! Good Luck!!
I have just started making some lino cuts for prints. I have gone and am going through exactly the same processes as you! I have three tiny stamps made and there they sit (for the last month), waiting!
Funny us humans, aren't we? holding back from something wonderful...
Have fun! I know you will!
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