OLD AND NEW

I was able to spend a few hours down in my studio yesterday, first working on a practice etching and then doodling on my scratchboard. I want to start a new copper etching and have ordered another plate. Until it arrives I did this etching on a sheet of acetate. Also had time to put more scratches on the scratchboard I keep handy.

RON MUECK

My best friend from that parallel universe north of me finds great ways to keep my days exciting and fresh. Today she told me about Ron Mueck, an Australian sculptor who's realistic pieces are almost scary. Mueck was a model maker and a puppeteer (Labyrinth, Storyteller) and he has certainly brought those talents into his art. I actually found it hard to view some of his sculptures. Sort of like they were something I shouldn't be looking at. Like them or hate them, one can't help but admire the unbelievable detail. Thanks Anne!!!

http://www.life.com/image/95906368/in-gallery/38832/super-freaky-lifelike-sculptures

MOKU-HANGA

I received an email asking me about the picture I have in the header of this blog. It is a print from the first woodcut (Moku-Hanga) I attempted. I did it after returning from a trip to Vermont where I watched Matt Brown demonstrate his technique. I was fascinated with how easy he made it look. I have done a number of different prints since then, but nothing that compares with Matt's work.

I am currently working on a four block print but have only pulled one color (background) so far.

THE BIG PICTURE

My ramblings are usually art related with a little of my love for music (blues and jazz), both listening and playing thrown in. This post is a little off of that theme, yet maybe not as much as I first thought. One of the people who works in my real estate office has a son who is attempting to be the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. Jordan is thirteen years old, and a few years ago he set a goal of climbing all seven of the world's tallest peaks. Though it may sound like a lofty goal (pun intended), he has already scaled five of them! His determination coupled with his mother's courage letting Jordan follow his dream is inspirational to watch everyday!

Today he is at one of the higher base camps and was featured on some of the network morning shows through a live feed. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/36684818#36684818

BIG DAY TOMORROW

No...not tax day, Leonardo da Vinci's birthday! The original Renaissance man. Painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, musician, inventor, scientist, geologist, botanist, writer, mathematician. Seems like he just couldn't keep a job!!

Actually, Leonardo was probably one of the most diversely talented people that ever lived and I love reading about his life. Definitely on my list of people that I would love to have been able to spend time with.

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. ~Leonardo da Vinci~

PRINTMAKING TECHNIQUES

Below is a link to a very informative site that has flash demonstrations of various printmaking techniques. Included are screenprinting, woodcuts, lithography and etching. It also has finished examples of each technique. It is great information for anyone new to the art of printmaking.

http://www.moma.org/interactives/projects/2001/whatisaprint/flash.html

NEW WOODBLOCK

I have been frustrating myself trying to paint something with watercolors that actually comes close to what I had in mind at the start. It's possible that I may never get there...in the mean- time I am starting a new woodblock project. The plan is to use two blocks and do reductions on both. I'm guessing that I will end up doing about six different cuts.

QUICK LINOCUT

Found a small block of linoleum that I had started to use for a landscape print. It seemed too detailed and too daunting so I didn't proceed. Last night I carved on it for a couple of hours and came up with what I thought was a likeness of my wife. She says it looks nothing like her so, now it's a print of a woman that I don't know.

ZEBRAS - MICHELANGELO

Okay...the two have no connection except that they were a part of my day, today. I came in contact with a painting by Michael Sieve called 'Midnight on the Serengeti' which caught my attention. A few years ago I did an acrylic painting using zebras as a subject. It was one of the first attempts at acrylics that I was happy with.

Also, today is Michelangelo Buonarroti's birthday. He would be 535 years old today. Probably a bit old to be climbing ladders and painting ceilings!

If in my youth I had realized that the sustaining splendour of beauty of with which I was in love would one day flood back into my heart, there to ignite a flame that would torture me with out end, how gladly would I have put out the light in my eyes. ~ Michelangelo~

Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it. ~Michelanglo~

COPPER ETCHING

Spring cleaning time for my studio. I have stacks of art, both finished and unfinished. A quick inventory of all of the half completed paintings, plus lino and wood blocks, confirms that I need to work on staying more focused this year. I found this etching that I did from a beautiful photograph taken by my friend who lives on Lopez Island (how great is that?). She has so many great pictures of Angkor Wat in Cambodia that it was hard to pick just one as a subject.

Angkor Wat is temple complex built for King Suryavarman II in the 12th century. It has become the symbol of Cambodia and appears on its national flag.

On a more humorous note. I found this oil painting on Armand Bartos Fine Art. I think it's called 'Bird Thinking About Clouds'.