Printmaking without a press, with Bonnie Mineo

This past Saturday I took an inspiring workshop with Bonnie Mineo at Fort Point Studios in Boston. Bonnie is a painter, printmaker and and mixed media artist with a prior career in graphic design (hey, that sounds like me!). This was a "printmaking without a press" class using water-based inks and foam plates to create one-of-a-kind prints. It was fun and informative, and Bonnie is a fantastic instructor.

Before lunch Bonnie explained all of the supplies she uses, and demonstrated her process. Then we spent some time creating a variety of plates...different shapes and textures.

After a delicious lunch at Flour, it was back to the studio to begin creating. I had a tough time with the inks because even though I was using the same colors as the acrylics I use, they didn't mix the same, and the results weren't exactly what I had in mind. But, the process of layering different plates and colors was a lot of fun.

I think there were about 7 or 8 of us. Everyone had their own style and we had a little critique at the end. The prints above are a few of the pieces we had finished at the end of the day.

Of course, when I got back to my studio I wanted to continue with the process, but I didn't have any of the inks we used in class. But I do have Golden Open Acrylics, which I love, and thought would work in a similar way. So I made a few new plates and expanded on what I learned in the workshop. I can see that I'm going to like working with a variety of these prints and making collages with them.

Introducing the Studios at Porter Mill!

Does anyone recognize the entryway above? It is in the old Redbrick Studio building in Beverly...soon to be dubbed the Studios at Porter Mill in the same space. I am one of the first artists to have signed a lease on studio space in the building. And I am really excited about it!!

Stealing a bit of info from the Studios at Porter Mill facebook page:

 Porter Mill was first occupied in 1895 and was associated with Beverly, Massachusetts' rich shoe industry. Through the years the building housed Decoron Plastics, Superior Hat Company, Superior Real Estate, Criterion Shoe Company, Lion Leather and Plastic and recently Porter Sewing Machine Corporation. Now, Porter Mill is home to twenty-two artist studios.

In case you're wondering why I am moving my studio (AGAIN) so soon, it's located nearer to my home, within walking distance of the ocean, with many shops and restaurants nearby. The light in the building is fantastic. Studios range in size from 115 to 375 square feet, with plenty of windows, common areas, an on-site gallery and printmaking facility. I'm really looking forward to being part of an organized creative community. With room for workshops and other programming, the possibilities for gathering and sharing here are wide open.

My particular studio is on the third floor, and while it doesn't look like much now, I have six weeks to plan for redesigning this empty room. Move in date is May 1. Check back in May for Before and After pics!

And just to show how easily excited I am, the shelf here was left in my studio and I get to keep it! Hey, extra storage is always welcome.

Busy Art Weekend Ahead

So many things happening between now and Sunday! Let's see...

• Today I am visiting my future studio in Beverly. I know, I know...I just moved into my current studio, but those of you familiar with the old Redbrick Studio building will understand. As of May 1, I will be a resident artist at the new Studios at Porter Mill. More to come on this in future posts.
• Tomorrow is First Friday in SoWa and I'll be popping into Galatea to see vibrant works by fellow Galateans Marsha Nouritza Odabashian and Lieby Miedema. Hopefully it will be warm enough to stroll around to some of the other galleries and studios.
• Saturday I'm taking a printmaking workshop with Bonnie Mineo at the Fort Point Studio School.
• Most importantly, on Sunday I'll be attending the Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Ceremony with my son Joe, who won FOUR Gold Keys for his portfolios in art and photography, and works in painting, and film. Go Joe!! More to come on this in future posts as well.

See you soon with updates from all of the above!