If John Cage were a printmaker
would he present a blank piece of paper?
Now obviously I don’t spend time printing images that can’t be seen; that would be SILLY and when have I ever done anything silly, hmm? (People who know me in real life, please step away from the comment button). The John Cage reference, however, came up when I posted a photo on Instagram of the first stage of my current print. You see this print has lots of clouds and the thing about clouds is there is a lot of white that isn’t really white and would be too white if you left it white, so you have to print something that isn’t white. This is the top section of what I printed, after carving away the few spots that should, in fact, be white.
And these are the inks I was using: two different shades of not-white, with lots of added extender so they are extremely thin not-white.
Hopefully after seeing the next three layers below this will make more sense.
The sky is finished now. There’s another layer of grey to go on that mountain you can see poking up and then I will be bringing in much stronger colours for the foreground landscape (this is only the top bit of the print). The image is from a wonderful trip I had to Thailand last year - in fact a year ago today I was enjoying cocktails under a tree by a blissfully warm beach. As I look out at another grey day of cold Yorkshire rain I try not to think about that or I might cry. I must focus instead on a trip to the Loire Valley booked for later this year. There will be fewer beaches, elephants and cocktails but more châteaux, vin rouge and Renaissance art.
Things I wasn’t expecting
To see my own face looking back at me from the Google news feed on my phone. Unbeknownst to me the organisers of York Open Studios had sent out a photo of me with their press release about the forthcoming event (April 18, 19 and 25, 26). I doubt if my image was broadcast around the world - I would imagine the algorithm knows I’m interested in art and York - but it was odd to see myself listed alongside international news and the latest political developments. Click the image below if you would like to read the article in the York Press.
To win some very nice printmaking paper (Somerset Satin 300gsm) in an Instagram giveaway by the splendid St Cuthberts Mill who make excellent paper for both printmaking and watercolour. That was definitely worth the time it took to hit ‘like’ and add a comment. I currently use the 250gsm version so it will be interesting to try the heavier weight.
Well that’s all for now; I will write again when I have more of that Thailand print to show you. Thanks as always for reading and I’ll see you soon.
Jane
I’ve just been to see Constable and Turner at the Tate. Constable was criticised for his clouds and too much use of white so you’re obviously in good company