New places and new work

Hi!

It's amazing how long it takes to really get back to normal after a week away - I seem to have spent the last few weeks not really concentrating and finding the prospect of Christmas far more interesting than work. Having said that, I've got a decent amount done, and am pleased to say I'm soon to have my work in a few more places, so I can't complain!

I've finally turned my attention back to printmaking, having got so carried away on a wave of pinned papercuts that the old lino has been shelved for some time. Given that follies have started to completely dominate my work I thought I'd give one a go in print, and have come up with this piece. It's my third picture of the Temple Folly, near Swinithwaite in Wensleydale.

The Temple Folly, Wensleydale

I'm pleased to say that my linocuts will soon be on display in a brand new store called Chirpy in Chapel Allerton, Leeds. Chirpy is a lovely little place, stocking quirky home items, prints, and lots of lovely accessories created by independent suppliers. The store opens this weekend, and owner Harriet will be there celebrating, so if you fancy joining her visit the Chirpy website to find out more. I will be dropping my work off next week, and I'm really excited to be part of an exciting new project.

I am also really pleased that I will be supplying the Heart Gallery in Hebden Bridge with some new pinned papercuts as of early 2013. Back in 2008, when I had just started making and selling a few collages, Alison at the Heart very kindly supported me and included some of my pieces in an exhibition. 4 years on, my work has changed a huge amount (though having said that I'm still obsessed with maps and gouache paint) and couldn't be happier to be taking some pictures to such a lovely gallery, in one of my favourite towns. All I have to do now is find some exciting subjects in the west Yorkshire area to re-create in papercut form!

If you fancy having a closer look at my latest collection of work, my pinned papercuts, they are currently in Masham Gallery as part of the Treasure exhibition. So if you're stuck for a Christmas present for someone with exceptional taste, you know where to go....

The Fox Tower, Brough

Thats all from me, have a good week.

Rosie x

Back to Normal

Hi!

The last few weeks have been very busy, what with the preparation for North Yorkshire Open Studios, and then the event itself. I was really excited about my first open studios event and I wasn't disappointed; we had plenty of visitors, all really enthusiastic, and a good few sales too!

I can't believe that after all the preparation it is over so quickly, but now there are more things to focus on. I have just entered my first ever printmaking competition, BITE, I have another event to prepare for , Art in the pen in skipton, and I have work to do for a lovely gallery in Rutland, called the Itch Gallery, who will soon stock a selection of my collages and prints.

Right now I'm also preparing for my final workshop this term. Basic Beading and Jewellery Making is this Saturday at ArtisOn, after which I will be having a teaching break for a couple of months before I return with another papercutting course in September.

Busy busy!

Rosie x

HMS Floaty...press-less printmaking

Hello there,

In the last blog I mentioned that I am trying out some linocutting, as a possible development of my work. Well, The materials came yesterday, and even though my plan had been to get the designs good and ready before printing, I couldn't resist having a little practice...

I don't own a printing press, so I wanted to try printing without one, using a baren to impress the images onto the paper. I've never tried this before, and got it wrong the first few times, but once I realised that the paper needed to be on top of the lino, I was really pleased at how effective it is.

I decided to conserve my supply of lino and start with a reduction linocut (another thing I've never tried before - I like a challenge), which requires only one piece of lino. It's a slightly messier process, as each layer of the picture must be printed before you cut the next one, and it's a bit tricky remembering when to cut what, but it was really exciting watching the image evolve.

Any how, this here is the finished masterpiece: HMS Floaty!

Ok...so it's not a masterpiece - it's not perfect by any means and the design was pretty simple, but as a first try I must say I'm pleased! It's certainly made me very excited about doing more.

I hope you like it too.

Rosie x