Envelopes & Monoprinting

  I spent the day making monoprints that will ultimately become a set of envelopes. I made a template and drew out the pattern on several different  kinds of papers, different sizes as well.

As I worked, I realized I did not need to draw it out ahead of time, I can use my template as a pattern after the prints dry. I borrowed a few extra gelli plates from a friend to increase the scale I could print to make the envelopes larger while keeping consistency with the pattern and color palette you get with a single pull of a print. I put one of the predrawn papers underneath the plates as a guide, the transparency was perfect for that. I put the plates next to each other and lined the seems with the edges of the folds of the envelope.

I realized that the store bought gelli plates were not as generous with the ghost prints as the homemade plate. The ghost print is, in my opinion, the desired result. The larger surface area was challenging as well, I had to ink the plates faster.

I did continue to use the smaller plate as well. I want to make different size envelopes for comparison sake. I used the gear stencils as well as the stencils I made of the Capitol building and letters. I printed on two sides, but I am not sure if that is going to work out, lining that up was pretty tricky. I have plenty of prints for experimentation.

Stab stitch...

The stab stitch is new to me. Planning was going swimmingly. I am genuinely excited to make this stab stitch book. Paying attention to the details of the measurements and placement of the holes in for the binder. This is a challenge. I made a plan, reviewed all the documents and the video, cut all the necessary parts. Turns out that was the easy part.

The covers are monoprints that I made with gear stencils on the gelli plate and they are embellished with priority mail stickers. 

Assembling the book was easy, making the holes was not. I used the awl, and then had to employ a little more power, so I used the drill to be sure the holes were large enough for the multiple stitches, or so I thought...

I used binder clips and eventually a heavy duty grip on the table to keep the pages, spacers and covers together and the holes lined up.  

 This is where it has ended for now. I proceeded to break all four sewing needles, clearly my stitching holes were not big enough for multiple passes and the pliers I thought would be helpful were the demise of my needles. I will get back to this as soon as I replace the needles.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Accordion Books

Exploring accordion books I was reminded that you should always measure twice before cutting or folding. 

I started with a practice book. Above is a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" accordion book, using a monoprint for the cover and drawing paper for the accordion pages. It was a good trial run for a larger book. When constructing an accordion book and there is an abundance of folds, the bone folder is a critical tool.

For the second accordion book I wanted to make a pocket accordion book with a USPS theme. I used brown paper for the pocket pages, the same kind of brown paper used to wrap packages that would be mailed. The cover is paper, not fabric. Using monoprints and priority mail stickers I created a design for the book cover. The pockets will hold mail art, priority mail stickers and stamps.

 The most challenging part was measuring before folding and cutting... big take away, measure twice before making folds or cuts...I had a few do-overs in my haste.

Cicadas

Yesterday while I was making Cyanotype prints, I was looking for interesting organic shapes and I remembered I had some pristine dried out Cicadas. While they did not make the cut for the prints I yesterday, today they became the subject matter for my linoleum print block. 

The periodical Cicada emergence was rumored to be this summer, on top of the pandemic and the social unrest the possibility of being over run with cicadas seems par for the course. However, they have not yet revealed themselves.

Cyanotypes

Who needs a darkroom when you can harness the sun and make visually stunning imagery using the greenery in the yard. Once the paper is treated and dry, this is such a portable medium. It would be so easy to take along while traveling. 

 This was a perfect weather day spent experimenting with Cyanotypes. I printed digital negatives on transparencies, but really found that working with the ferns, dried out hydrangeas and grass was more appealing. I appreciated the opportunity to be outside all day away from technology. 
I may combine architectural digital negatives with layer of botanicals in the next iteration. 

Developing an Inquiry

Developing a thoughtful research topic has been tough, not because I could not think of worthy topic, rather I currently have a one track mind. I want to expand the idea of the November election and voting by mail. However, it is as if my mind is stuck on that loop. I finished reading On Tryanny, which contributes to the drive to make artwork to promote voting, it is my own personal call to action in this time of such pain and social unrest. Does voting really have the power to change our current vernacular? 

Today I also prepped the chemicals for Cyanotypes, they will be ready for use tomorrow.  I perused digital imagery from my photos that would be appropriate for the media, and printed 8x11 digital negatives. I chose these images, the top left a portrait of whimsical spirit animals on a platform where confederate statues once were. (General's Stonewall Jackson & Robert E. Lee) Although that was taken off the platform in 2017, very relevant given the statues being torn down in these last two weeks. The far right is a train track in Richmond, and the bottom most left are two of the large murals the city is famous for. I will also explore organic finds in my yard,  botanicals make for such rich cyanotyopes.

The linoleum block is a little trickier, I do not want to be so literal, however currently all I seem to see when I look at it is a mailing envelope, text stating the obvious or gears and patterns. I want to explore the gears and patterns more, as a metaphor for the system of democracy. I think as I am working with Cyanotypes and revisiting my gelli prints a more concrete design will emerge. I am intrigued with the life and artwork of Deborah Kass, and was definitely immediately engaged in this article that came out yesterday in Hyperallergic. She is ironic, sarcastic and timely. Kass's work invites challenging conversations. Her acknowledgement of power, who has it, and who deserves it? 

Printmaking in the sun room

So, today I set up in the sun room for printmaking. I walked inside for just a minute and Molly (my cat) decided I needed a studio assistant. She was so curious, sniffing everything and batting at the the tubes of paint. I have a feather I like to use in my prints  and she found it immediately and started playing with it. 

 Today I was just getting reacquainted with gelli (gelatin) printing. It has a been a little bit since I have explored the medium. I used stencils, some I made and others I had from previous art endeavors. Old photos are great to use as stencil paper, it is durable and up for the reuse. 

Earlier this week I picked up several Priority Mail stickers from the post office. These will make for excellent smaller prints and could serve as additional layers to other prints. I also printed on mailing envelopes, that I will eventually send off through the mail. 

After a few hours working and experimenting my assistant decided it was time to clean up. I will put it away for tonight and look at all the work with fresh eye tomorrow.