Hello
This is a new thing for me: offering priority shopping to my newsletter subscribers ahead of a print’s general release. (OK I admit it, I’ve wanted to do this before but have only just worked out how it could be done).
‘Rolling’ is a reduction linoprint using 10 colours printed in 8 layers. You can see all the layers further down this email if you’re interested in the technical side.
Rolling
Reduction linoprint
Image size 20 x 30 cm
Paper 26 x 36 cm Somerset Satin
Limited edition of 9 (see further down for why)
£120
For the next 48 hours people with the link in the button below (that’s you) will be able to see the listing and make a purchase. On Friday it will be going in the public area of my shop for everyone to see. Only a few will be available online at this stage as I am holding some back for York Open Studios, including one I took to the framers yesterday.
The perils of reduction printing and the perils of volunteering
A behind-the-scenes bit about the human messiness of studio life.
As I often do, I started this process with 12 pieces of paper, aiming for an edition of 10 prints and one or two artist proofs. I have ended up with 9 good prints in the edition and one less than perfect one which I am keeping as an artist proof. Two prints were complete write-offs because while printing the sixth layer I answered the ping of my phone and allowed myself to be upset by the behaviour of an artist emailing me in my voluntary capacity as an organiser of York Open Studios. This person was angry that we had printed the ‘wrong’ details for them in our directory, and even when presented with screenshots refused to believe they had actually provided those details themselves and accused me of deliberately ‘overwriting’ the form they completed online. (Perhaps I should add ‘computer hacker and evil genius’ to my cv). I shouldn’t have let it rattle me so much that I lost focus on what I was doing. What is more, after messing up one print I should have had the sense to STOP. I should have known better and consequently I have priced this print as if there were a full edition of 10 rather than asking buyers to bear the cost of my error.
But two productive things came of it:
1) I now turn off notifications on my phone when printing.
2) I am feeling much better about my decision to retire from the committee in June.
And breathe….
Yours in restored calmness
Jane
Hi Jane,
I would be inclined to ever-so-politely cancel that artist's YOS membership. I can understand your annoyance and frustration that you spoilt two prints. Good advice regarding concentration too (telephone off, etc.). Best wishes, Keith