Return to the Seaside...

Hello!

I hope you're having a good February so far. I've been enjoying some leisure time at the seaside! After visiting Saltburn By The Sea last year for a commission, I went back last weekend and was inspired again by the beautiful beach and splendid buildings. Watch this space for some new coastal designs.

Even though it's not seaside inspired, I have made a new big piece this week. I found a beautiful map of Wensleydale in my drawer of maps and fancied making a new edition  to my hot air balloon series.

Here are some mid-work snaps...

And the finished piece!

In other news, I am delighted to say that I have been accepted into the North Yorkshire Open Studios this year! I will be exhibiting my work over two weekends in June at ArtisOn along with Charlotte Morrison, Ian Scott Massie and Josie Beszant. I'm so pleased to have this oppurtunity and look forward to seeing you there! For more details visit the Open Studios site.

Thats all from me for now, bye!

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

New(ish) Year, new plans....

Hello there!

It's a bit belated, but happy new year to everyone. I've been focusing on some of the less exciting aspects of being self employed for the last few weeks (paperwork basically), but am now back to cutting and sticking - hurrah!

First on the list is a commission I have been working on, which will hopefully be finished by the beginning of next week (should've been the end of this week but I had a mount-board ordering mishap). I don't want to give away too much before the intended recipient sees it, so here are a few super close-ups.

This next few weeks are all about development for me. Firstly, I am currently designing some linocuts, and am hoping that this discipline may become a permanent part of my practice. I was inspired in part by the wonderful piece I was given for Christmas, which is by Pam Grimmond. I absolutely love it.

Other inspiration comes from the likes of Angie lewin, Lynne Roebuck and Helen Peyton, who uses a method called Reduction Lino Printing, which I am particularly keen on trying.

The lino is ordered and the drawings are mounting up, so watch this space for results.

I am also developing a website, using an incredibly easy and FREE service called Weebly. I have already got quite far with it but may add a few more pages in before I publish. I'll let you know.

So as you can see, it's all plans plans plans at the moment, so I better get cracking.

Bye!

Rosie x

Happy New Year!

Hello there!

A happy new year to everyone reading this blog. I had a fantastic (if slightly tiring) festive break, travelling to and from the following places in the following order:

York

Masham

Isle of Wight

Farnham

York

Masham

Birmingham

Evesham 

York!

Lots of time in the car, but worth it for Christmas in a new place and lots of time with lovely friends and family.

Anyway, it's back to work time, and unfortunately number one on the jobs list this January is sorting out my first ever tax return. Brilliant! I will be working on some far more exciting and creative projects later on the month, so watch this space.

Have a good Jan...

Rosie x

The year was 2011.....

Hi there!

For some reason I had the urge today to spend some quality time with my dear old blog, giving a fresh lick of virtual paint. What do you think? It's quite spring-themed in it's colour scheme, which is a little premature, but then the weather as I write is not exactly beautiful (and I don't really fancy a grey blog), so I think I'll stick with it! I have added a few extra bits to the blog - you can now enjoy a mini slide show of my flickr page (which incidentally I have also just updated with loads of new photos). I have also decorated the blog with a few images of my favourite pieces. Lovely stuff.

Christmas is drawing ever closer and things are about to go crazy in my house. For me, social events and festive preparations officially start tomorrow night and don't really let up at all until about the 2nd of January. I am spending my very first Christmas out of Masham this year, and will be travelling down to the Isle of Wight on the 23rd to enjoy the festive weekend there. As a result of the busy times ahead I may not have another opportunity to blog before Christmas, so I'm making this the official Christmas post.

 I want to extend a massive THANKS to everyone who has read this blog, attended any of my workshops, bought any of my pictures or jewellery, or has simply taken an interest in what I'm up to. I've really loved my first year of being a full-time artist, and when I look back to the crazy retail environment I was in this time last year, I feel very fortunate to have been able to do this. I have lots of plans and ideas for next year, including a whole new collection of work and new workshops at ArtisOn, so I hope you all continue to keep an eye on me!

I thought I'd make a little gallery of some of my best bits this year (indulge me - it makes me feel good to see all the work I've done!):

A more detailed archive of my work is now on my flickr page underthecoldtap.

Merry Christmas everyone, have a fantastic holiday!

Rosie x

Saltburn collage needs a home!

Hi there!

This week I'm going to be heading up to The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle to change round some work before Christmas. I'll be taking up a bunch of smaller pieces and bringing home one of my (much) bigger original works, this beautiful deconstructed map collage of the seaside town of Saltburn By The Sea (situated on the north east coast). The piece was made in spring this year, while I was working on a commission, and unfortunately lacked just one or two details that my customer wanted in her piece. It has been on display in Newcastle for a few months and sadly has had no takers. I love this piece, the colours really evoke the seaside-y spirit, and there are a number of details, such as the pier, which you will not find in any of my archive of previous works.

I would love to keep this piece, but that's not really in keeping with the whole 'making a living from selling paintings' thing, is it? So, I just wanted to make an appeal on it's behalf. The picture (which is approximately 45 inches tall and 35 inches wide) will be back with me by the end of this week, and will be residing in my flat/studio indefinitely. I would be more than happy to give seriously interested parties a viewing of the piece, and I may be persuaded to negotiate the price. Please get in touch by leaving me a comment either here on on my Twitter feed @underthecoldtap.

To see more available works please visit my Flickr site here.

Thanks!

Button wreath giveaway and handmade christmas cheer!

Hi there!

Just a quick one today, firstly to invite you to enter a fanstastic giveaway to win one of my handmade Christmas decorations.

The giveaway is not being hosted by me, but by the lovely Kathryn Sharman, the author of the excellent Katgotthecream blog. Kathryn is a blogger and freelance journalist, who tirelessly seeks out creative makers, vintage clothes and accessories, and beautiful home products, and gives them the spotlight on her addictive blog. Kat generously agreed to host a giveaway for me to celebrate the relaunching of my etsy shop Underthecoldtap, which features handmade jewellery and home decorations.

The item up for grabs is this:

A handmade vintage button wreath, made with collected vintage buttons and silver-plated wire. This decoration is perfect for Christmas, but frankly it can be displayed all year round! It's completely unique and there is only one to give away, so for your chance to win check out Kathryn's blog here. If you miss your chance, but would like a button wreath, there will be more listed on my shop very soon, but here's one already up for sale.

In other news, last night we decorated our flat for Christmas, and I felt I had to show you a few snaps. I've been making a lot of decorations this year in preparation for my last two workshops at ArtisOn, so there's a bit of a sheet music/map/tissue paper theme going on here, but being able to work next to a Christmas tree all day is just grand. The paper baubles are on sale in The Gallery, Masham, should you be interested in investing....

Thats it today, have a great run-up to Christmas, shop locally and support your neighbourhood businesses, and don't forget Etsy and Folksy for great handmade gifts.....

Rosie x