Better late than never
A print finished and other jobs jobbed
Ta dah!
At last, I was able to get the final layer down on that reduction linoprint I mentioned last time. Here it is - Bluebell Glade.
At 40 x 25cm this is nearly twice the size of my usual reduction linoprints. I worked a bit larger this time in response to suggestions and requests. I’m not sure I’ll make a habit of it though. Twice the area means twice the carving and I’m going to have to take at a least a few days off now to let my hand recover (even holding a pen is a bit ouchy). Printing each layer also took longer as I print by hand with my Sláma press so that’s twice as much heavy rubbing with the press and was even more of a workout than normal.
Anyway, as promised here is a video compiled from wonky phone photos taken at each stage. Rather than start at the beginning, for a change this sequence starts with the completed print and then peels away each layer to blank paper… and then goes back the other way building up the layers again.
The edition is now drying for the last time and should be in my shop next week. I’ll let you know when it’s available.
Getting around to things
On a more personal note, I’m really pleased with a couple of small bits of progress made outside the studio in the last week.
Firstly we (by which I mean mostly my husband) got around to moving the sundial which had ceased to perform its function several years ago thanks to the over-enthusiastic Rambling Rector* rose which had grown up, around and over it.
*the clue is in the name
It turned out to be a slightly bigger job than anticipated as we had completely forgotten that when we first installed the sundial more than twenty years ago we (again I mean my husband) had conscientiously cemented it in place. Still the job is done now, and the sundial is back out in the sun and telling the time (GMT), though perhaps shouldn’t be relied upon for catching a train or joining a Zoom meeting, and its pertinent inscription, ‘Tempus fugit’, can mock us again.
Another job which had been on the to-do list for a long time was addressing what to do with my mother’s wedding and engagement rings which I inherited in 2021. They had both worn thin and fragile and the precariously high claw settings of the engagement ring made me very nervous. In June I got around to taking the rings to a local jeweller and asking if it would be possible to use the gold and stones of the two rings to make one practical piece which I would be able to wear without anxiety. They understood exactly what I wanted and a few days ago called to tell me my new ring was ready. I am absolutely delighted and can now keep my parents close at hand every day.
(The jewellers who did the work for me aren’t on social media and don’t even have a website, so I can’t link them, but I’m very happy to pass on the necessary info to anyone in York who wants it).
If you have any jobs that have been niggling at the back of your mind for ages - you know the sort that actually take very little time to do but forever to get around to - maybe writing them down in the comments below will help spur you into action? It’s worth a try.
Heads up
My online shop will be closed for a while in September because of a combination of family commitments and the York Printmakers Autumn Print Fair. I’ll give specific dates nearer the time.
Meanwhile I’ll be popping back next week with information about purchasing Bluebell Glade, should that take your fancy.
As always, thanks for reading.
Jane
I cannot stop watching that! It's mesmerising. And utterly beautiful.
As the layers added on to each other and we reached number 5 I found myself spontaneously smiling as the dappled sunlight emerged.