OLDER THINGS

Sorting and cleaning my studio area yesterday and found two prints that I had done last year. The tree stand is a reduction linocut print that didn't work out very well but gave me some good lessons and experience for future attempts. The other print is one of my first solarplate etchings. I hand colored one of the prints from the edition, but I think I like this better. Has an old feeling to it.

ANOTHER GREAT PRINTMAKING SITE

If, like me, you love the art of printmaking, you will enjoy Stephen and Sabina Alcorn's website. The are husband and wife artists living and creating in upstate New York (Cambridge). Stephen makes fantastic block prints while Sabina paints beautiful botanical watercolors. Definitely worth a visit.

http://www.alcorngallery.com/#

LIAM'S SURPRISE

I hung the finished pastel I did of my grandson above our fireplace mantle. It will be perfect there except it needs to be in a larger frame. Kind of gets lost in all of the space!!

MUSIC AND ART

Two of my favorite things. My son and daughter in law are changing my grandson's bedroom and want me to paint some pictures for the wall. Liam loves music so that is the theme they would like. Over the past month I have been doing some pastel sketches to run by them.

BUILDING YOUR OWN PRESS

I am constantly watching Ebay and Craig's List for a larger etching press. I have even set up "etching press" as a Google alert. The finds so far have either been priced above what I felt they were worth or the expense to ship was insane. I found a website that looks very promising. It has plans that you can buy for three different press designs, and loads of information and help in the building process. Also lots of pictures of presses built by other people. Most were built for under $2,000.00. Considering the fact that everything I've seen comparable has been in the $8,000.00 range, this is a great idea. If you are serious about printmaking, you might want to take a look at this site.

http://www.dougforsythegallery.com/EtchingPress.html

GOOD AND BAD

I have mentioned in prior posts how I struggle when trying to use watercolors. I have read books, watched DVDs and taken online lessons with very little growth. I can paint with acylics and now pastels and end up with something I like, but watercolors frustrate me to no end. Here is the same subject, a floral, I did both with watercolors and then with pastels. For whatever reason I feel much more freedom with the pastels.

NICE WEEKEND

My son and his family spent the weekend with us here in Big Bear. My grandson loves to play my drums so I know he had a fun couple of days. I also finished a large pastel painting of him that we are hanging above our fireplace.

KOI AGAIN

My pastels are getting quite a workout over the past month. It's an instant gratification thing!!

I received a good printmaking information link from a nice person named Erin

http://www.youdesignit.com/resources/printmaking-glossary

MY WATERCOLOR NIGHTMARE

Making yet another attempt at painting with watercolors. I think I have become my own worst enemy in this area. I am thinking this thing to death. Kadinsky said "...lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting, and...stop thinking! Yeah...bite me!!