Author: Printmaker

Greeting cards are a great way for me to use my portfolio art and my favorite pictures.

I found a great printer in Culpeper Virginia.  He helped me every step of the way.  The greeting cards so far are just what I was shooting for. An added touch is the Sperryville Printmaker’s individually embossed seal on the back of each one. Here are some of them.

I found a great article about  autumn energy and  improving your mindset in readiness for the winter. The artist part of me feels a little urgency with holidays approaching   My projects will turn into presents, cooking or putting up liqueurs in fancy little bottles with hand made labels are on the list. All the ideas that simmered during the year come to a head about now! So eating and exercising well will get me through this busy season. This website will offer some good advice for autumn and winter health and eating!

Preparing for engraving or etching a print requires sketches and rough drafts. I often turn my roughs and preliminary sketches into a peice that I can eventually frame or use in some other form. . .like the birds below! pencil sketch, then a little chalk, colored pencil and waterproof pens – fine point. Continue reading “Current works”

It’s official! Summer has ended. It’s been put on clearance in shops and stores. Time to get ready for the autumn shows and exhibitions. Artists & crafts people are busy in their studios creating. Same for me.

The RAAC organization coordinates a  county wide event every year that showcases  artists and craftspeople working in their studios and presented in galleries. It is well worth the trek to Rappahannock County You can visit their web site for more info.

During that weekend  I’ll be pulling some prints on my Griffin etching press. If you’re not familar with the etching or engraving process, now’s your chance to get a closer look! It hasn’t changed much since Rembrandt’s or Albrecht Durer’s time.

This year I’ve made several trips to the National Gallery of Art research rooms. We were able to get up close and gloved hands on with original Rembrandt’s etchings and M.C Escher’s work. What an opportunity to examine closely the  lines, details, a series, and artist proofs of these masters, that you only see in text books or online. All it takes is a phone call to the Print Study Rooms at the  Nat’l Gallery, set your appt. talk to the curator and get ready to be slightly awed on your visit! It would make a great field trip for an art class.

My printmaking studio is at the rear of our coffee roastery.  After your visit you can enjoy fresh roasted coffee and snacks. I’ve posted some drawings and engravings that you can check out. Enjoy. Don’t forget to mark your calendars!

The one thing that I can count on even before I start work in the studio is a freshly roasted and brewed cup of coffee. It goes perfectly well  with a piece of fresh baked Baklava from Triple Oak ovens up the street! Life is challenging enough that these little pleasures shape up a morning. A short walk to the river to see what’s new. One morning my husband called to me to grab the  camera.. but I was too late to get back before the young black bear had scooted down out of the mulberry tree and splashed across the Thornton river. But he was back another morning browsing along the edge for something sweet. I will seriously work on a drawing of him one day. There are plenty more subjects waiting in line for sketching.

Two drypoints , an engraving, a few sketches to work from for later.

Continue reading “The press.”

Spring and cool weather for working in the  outside. Been plenty of mud and stones flying here at the roastery and studio Building a nice patio and flowerbeds with the help of the family. By the end of May we’ll be finished! I’ll get some pictures up to share later.