In Love with Screenprinting

The problem with trying new things is that they can quickly become addictive and I am certain this will be the case with screenprinting on fabric.

Last weekend I attended a workshop given by Boston Handmade member and fiber artist Linda Branch Dunn at her studio at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, MA. The class was titled "Improv Screenprinting" and we learned how to make screens using a thermofax machine, and various ways on printing on fabric. I brought the fabric that I had previously dyed using gelatin printmaking methods, and layered over it with a screen of one of the tree photos I took at Brooksby Farm. And Linda let use some of her screens as well.

The result? I am in love with screenprinting and surface design in general. So much so that I have registered for classes with fiber artist Wen Redmond in New Hampshire. Her work is stunning (as is Linda's) and I can't wait to absorb some of her expertise.

A March through the Marshes

Joe had an art class assignment this weekend that involved taking panoramic photos which he will eventually reference for a watercolor painting. We went to a few places in Salem that he wasn't happy with. I wasn't happy that it was so cold, I was hungry, we had marched all over the place, and as always, it was a last minute thing. That's high school I guess!

Anyway, out of nowhere he said, "the marshes! the marshes behind the school!" behind his high school in Danvers, MA. So we went, and while Joe took his panoramic photos, I took photos of Joe.

Apple Orchard Mixed Media

I had some leftover canvases so I thought I'd try to do something with some of the photos I took of Brooksby Farm. I made a black and white line print of one of the shots of brances and printed it on rice paper, then adhered it to the canvas. From there it took on a life of its own with many, many layers of acrylics, pearlescent pigments, and fiber. The result is definitely inspired by the orchard in summer. One can just wait for the warmer weather.

The piece is listed on etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22506235.

Goodbye Back Issues, I'll Miss You

I remember the first time I saw "Somerset Studios" magazine and still remember how the art and craft inside immediately struck me. I was hooked! Since 2002 I have been collecting these magazines (not ALL of them) but dozens and dozens fill my studio. Not just "Somerset Studio" magazine, but also "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" and "Quilting Arts" and many others.

My tastes have changed. Now I'm reading "Surface Design" and "Art New England" and some others. And since I can't seem to stop buying magazines, I need to make room in my studio. So I am listing dozens and dozens and dozens of back issues on EBAY.

As of this moment there are about a dozen, and I will be adding more over the next few days.

Goodbye old friends, I hope you find good homes and continue to inspire.

Notes for Spring

Well, there wasn't much to do today other than wish the snow away. So here are some new digi-collages that I'll convert to gelatin fresco prints. The birds and trees are all from photos I've taken this winter from my deck, and from Brooksby Farm in Peabody.

Disintegration Part II

Back in January I joined in a collaborative effort instigated by Seth Apter of The Altered Page called "Disintegration." Says Seth, bundles of every imaginable material, shape, and color are hung, tied, buried, and submerged all around the world. Nature is working her magic with snow, rain, hail, sun, wind, earth, fire, and water all interacting with and disintegrating bundles of bundles. On May 1, each artist will reveal the results on their own blog.

I am periodically updating my original disintegration blog post which you can read about here. Ahhh, the trials and tribulations of paper and string.

Last year our friend Evelyn brought a lovely bouquet, which I of course photographed and layered with a photo of an acrylic mess I had created. Today I used that image to transfer to a glazed gelatin fresco surface. This is the result. I like the depth from the variety of layers.

Available on etsy.

Exhibiting this Summer

Is there such a thing as application season? I know right now it's tax season, but for artists looking to exhibit at shows this summer, it seems like all the application deadlines are here or approaching soon! 

So far I know I will be at the South End Open Market, and semi-related shows like the South End Open Studios and Baked Fresh. I just sent my application in for Twist Fair in Northampton, which I hear is fairly new, but fabulous. And there are all these other applications in front of me...

Here's one of the new pieces I've been playing with for upcoming shows.

Stay tuned!

Remember when there was just ONE?

Remember when most people just had one online presence? Just the website? When there was just the one place where you could find out what was happening with your favorite artist? Now there are so many online options available...so no matter whether you are a facebooker or twitterer....you can most likely find out what I'm doing. On the other hand, I'm trying to figure out when enough is enough....shops...social marketing sites...blogs. What has become of my lonely old website?

As evidenced by the growing list of "where to find me" links on this blog, here are the many ways you can find me online nowadays, where at least ONE of them may be up-to-date.!
My Blog (You are here!)
Etsy . 1000 Markets . Trunkt (You can shop!)
Facebook (You can become a Fan!)
Twitter (You can Follow Me!)

New Horizons in Printmaking

Just heard about this today, and am heading off to Bedford for the Artist Talk and Demo of "New Horizons in Printmaking." I took an alternative digital printmaking workshop with Mary Taylor a few years back...today she will demonstrate techniques for creating unique monoprints using non-toxic block printing inks and gelatin, then collage the prints into concertina style book binding.

Something the economy has me acutely aware of is the cost of art materials. Thanks to tips from Bonny Lhotka, one of the authors of Digital Art Studio, I have begun using MDF (medium density fiberboard) as a substrate for my artwork. Using an alternative digital printmaking process, the digital collage is transferred to the MDF and I'm so happy with the results. One example is above. It's part of a triptych. The other 2 pieces are drying. I'll post the full piece when it's done.

"energy" digital collage

How about a vibrant, energetic collage to brighten an otherwise grey February day?

Do you see colors in music?

For the longest time, my son and I have not been able to understand why my husband doesn't "see" the shapes and movement we do when listening to music. Then today I read an article about "synthesesia" which is a neurological happening that can take many forms (not necessarily what happens to my son and I), but where you can "see" colors in sounds.

In the article I read, this particular child would go to the symphony with his parents and assumed that the lights went down so that everyone could see the colors better. "I mean, why else would they do it?" he said. He didn't realize that his parents didn't see any colors based on the music. According to the article, he never knew that his condition had a name until he happened to be researching the genetics of perfect pitch, which has been anecdotally linked with synesthesia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synesthesia

No particular point here, other than it's fascinating to me how our brains work. I'm thinking again about my fascination with how Temple Grandin describes visual perception as an autistic person. And how animal language is complex and intricate, conveying an intelligence that we can't comprehend. I'm wondering how, with all of these comlexities, standardized tests are used to put kids in nice, neat, labeled boxes. The mind boggles...

BE MINE: 2nd Annual Boston Handmade Valentine Show

I'll be selling these sweet, original Valentine cards, along with several new works at Be Mine: The 2nd Annual Boston Handmade Valentine Show.
Friday, February 6 ~ 5pm to 9pm
450 Harrison Avenue - Gallery #31 - 31 Thayer Street
South End, Boston, MA

This one-night-only event coincides with the First Friday open studios and gallery receptions in the SoWa arts district of Boston's South End. Local artists, artisans and craftspeople will be exhibiting their one-of-a-kind and limited edition works, along with live acoustic music by Peter Paulousky and new exhibitor designs created especially for the winter season and Valentine's Day.

Hope to see you there!

Disintegration

Inspired by Seth Apter of The Altered Page, I've begun somewhat of a mystery of a project called "Disintegration." The idea is to be inspired by the natural evolution of time, in collaboration with nature. I chose to use signatures from an old "1939 Supplement to French's Catalog of Plays" which I have been holding onto for quite a while. I have a feeling that our New England winter will be a wonderful collaborator! I have absolutely no idea how this will play out, but I look forward to the big reveal in spring, when I will figure out how to use the results.

2/26/09 -- Checked my bundles today and it looked like two of them were missing! There were four to begin with, including the cover of the 1939 booklet that I loved so much. And that one was missing.

So, I looked all around, and found both of the missing bundles. One was about 10 feet away huddled against a bench underneath my porch, and the other was hidden underneath a sled! How did it get there? Does it not want to be part of this project? Does it want to come back to the studio where it was nice and warm?

Anyway, I tucked both bundles back where they belong, and hopefully they will stay there this time.

in celebration

River of Hope
1/20/09

I just love this new print...another abstract based on those gelatin prints a while back, and incorporating a photo I took of trees (I think it was in Gloucester, MA). This is available on my etsy shop at http://chrisenc.etsy.com.

People, Places and Things: Documenting Our World Through Art

Getting ready for a new season of art at the Salem Arts Association! CinemaSalem will exhibit member works throughout February 2009.

My studio companions

I know some people would go stark raving mad if they had to work by themselves and not have much daily contact with co-workers or clients. Much of what I do involves working alone in my studio...and it suits me just fine. Of course, I do have these constant companions each day to keep me company! Sammy (the cat) and Little Bit (the mini-daschund) -- my favorite lunch partners -- were willing participants the other day while I tried out my new Canon Rebel digital SLR camera. I'm looking forward to a day when the weather is above 20 degrees so I can take it out for a spin!

New Online Shop at 1000 Markets

I've recently joined 1000 Markets, a new online market of small, independent, artisan businesses built by people who love their craft. Many of my Boston Handmade friends have joined as well. So far I've listed prints of my new abstract designs. Stay tuned for more!

More fun with photos and frescoes

I've been veering more and more to these abstract images which combine my photographs (this one incorporates an image taken from high atop Boston at the Harvard Club) with scans of gelatin monoprints, which are so fun to make. This whole series will soon be available as frescoed, textured panels.