Sketching project

I am making time everyday to get back to sketching live wild birds, here is one of my sketches from last week. Practice, practice, practice.

Monotypes from Late July Studio session

Here are three monotypes that came out of the late July studio session. My french tool press is a wonderful press. I am always amazed at nature and the patterns it provides if we just look.

Swallow-tailed Kite sketching

Here are three sketches of Swallow-tailed Kites that were at the Skeen's Farm near Glenville, Ga.

It was an amazing time watching these birds catch June bugs.

Strolling

This etching is going out to a Shorebird Conference as a silent auction item. I gave it the title Strolling because the Black-bellied Plover was strolling back and forth in a runnel on the beach. I sat down and sketched this bird. It was one of those magical moments.

The etching is done on a zinc plate. All most of the color is ink onto the plate. I touch the eye with just a little black.

I wish I was going to the conference. But since I can't it is nice to know my strolling plover is.

Have fun Abby and I expect a full report.

July 21, 2011 in the studio

After selling my monotypes at the last art show, I had to get back to work. I have been watching an interesting leave pattern. I knew it would soon be mowed down so I didn’t feel bad gathering it up. I did learn it is important to take these plants right back to the studio. They wilted before the session began.

My press is a French Tool press. For years I worked as a printmaker for other printmakers and artists. In those days, I worked nine to ten hours days, so my press has a motor to turn the gears. After getting out my Daniel Smith water based inks, I move the gears up to pull up the roller. I don’t need a lot of pressure when pulling monotypes as I do when I pull an etching. I ink the Plexiglas and the session begins. As I have said before, it is a kinetic process. I begin with an idea of what I want and work toward that idea.

Here is an idea of what the process looks like.

Here is the plate ready for the first pull. I soak rag paper and blot it and place on this plate.Here is my press doing its job. The rag paper goes thru the press under pressure. It needs special blankets. I also put newsprint between the paper and the blankets.See the embossing! I love the idea of part of nature captured in the monotype.This is a few of the monotypes that came out of the studio time. Now there are other steps. But today it was a good session.

Painted Bunting sold

Here is one of the four monotypes of Painted Buntings I just completed. I enjoy doing these monotypes for they are a part of my experience in nature.

It is a process which requires a block of uninterrupted time in the studio. I work with Daniel Smith's water based etching inks on Plexiglass. It is a kinetic processes. The paper is damp so it is wet on wet. It is a challenge to get the crisp lines so I am thrilled when I do it.

What do you think?

This one and two other of these monotypes sold at the Georgia Coastal Artists' show this past weekend.

Red White and Blue

Monotypes are my fun art. I love walking in the woods, on the beach, near a marsh, where ever there is outside nature. When I walk, I see things. Textures, colors, plants and birds all catch my attention. Sometimes these things stick and I go to the studio to work. Here is one of those monotypes.

The size 10" x 20"