Jumping from one thing to another

 

This blog post shows how my art related work can jump around. The three projects I was working on was a bench seat 'commissioned or whatever' by Graham; a post to hold a hose reel for a friend; and production of cement objects and letters for the 13 March open studio at Deckled Edge Press. 

The bench is in the photo above - the cube below is a by-product from making the simple bench. The timbers in the top of the bench are 160mm square - took quite bit of cutting. The timber is milled from trees knocked down in a storm. 

The plank for the friend was cut from a 2m long and 50mm thick slab of salvaged rose gum timber - cut with my battery operated saw. A meandering stream embellishment was routed into the timber and coloured with Japanese black ink to create a bit of interest.

Moulding cement bits was a production line.

Quite a bit achieved over the couple of days

Third in the series

 

I have printed the third poster in my patriarchy series. I have been given some suggestions for wording by folk who read the blog and fellow artists. The third in the series is one of the suggestions.

I some instances I will also print some tea towels - quite novel and a challenge to print the tea towels on the proofing press using wood type and letterpress ink. The ink takes a very long time to dry. The photo above is a last poster I pulled off the press after finishing the tea towel run - I love how the texture of the cotto-linen is seen in the print - one of my favourite posters!!!

Posters spread out on the work table with Fiona's 'Not just a daughter' poster; and the textured poster.

Printing tea towels

Tea towels in the sun in an attempt to hasten the drying process.

Another photo of that texture from the cotton-linen weave.

Brilliance of orchids and other bits

 

Very grey, soft and misty morning today. It made for a gentle quiet walk - apart from the raucous lorikeets - lots around this morning  particularly on the yellow grevillea - but always grand to see them - though fleetingly.

s above and below are some newly opened beauties in G's orchid house.

Photos of a couple of new stepping stone paths we installed through and into the bushes below us. Waiting for a shower of rain to wash the dust off the recycled pavers.

A couple of those lorikeets... only glimpses though.

A few other fragments.

Experimenting with cement

 

Fiona and I have been experimenting with cement. We have many ideas how we might use it in our art - as addition to outdoor pieces; as letters-words; and small sculptures.

We experimented with the letters over a month ago - but on Wednesday we decided to test some other silicone moulds we have purchased. The photo above is a faceted heart; and the photo below shows Fiona getting her hands well and truely dirty.

Following are some finished bits. The tiny house is a pencil-pen holder - very cute.

I excavated a rusted metal peace dove out of the cube of cement - releasing peace? It was bit off centre but another lesson learnt.

Today I attached the word love and a heart to a cube of timber - more lessons learnt on how to attach the cement letters to the timber.

Whilst waiting for glue to dry I mixed a small batch of cement and filled a few moulds - including the tiny house, hearts and new pebble moulds.

I love peeling the silicone back to release the cured cement. Now we know how it works we will get into a bit of production I think.

Almost all my own work

 

For the last couple of years I have had the goal to write a poem, print it and bind it myself - all steps from beginning to end.

Well this week I have finally achieved that goal with some editing and tuition from Fiona.

I wrote a poem or piece of prose called IN THIS TIME. The work is a statement about the climate crisis and what might the future look like. The poem is in full below. Fiona edited the poem and made suggestions for alternate wording - thanks Fiona.

I am doing a limited edition of the work - most likely 20 copies all being well. The booklet is 92mm wide and 144mm long.The photo below shows the paper and font used. The paper for the cover and inner pages were hand torn; and the pages for the poem were cut on our hand guillotine. The torn pages give the booklet a soft edge; the cut pages puts the focus on the printed words. The booklet has a blind embossed title on the cover; and with have a printed band to keep it closed.

Fiona also gave me a quick lesson in three hole pamphlet stitching. The booklet is stitched with waxed linen thread.

Photos below are images of the process and textures and layers.

I'm pleased that I have achieved my goal and in the end created a work that makes a statement and is also a gorgeous little book.