There has been four weeks between my last event, Printfest and North Yorkshire Open Studios, which was last weekend and the weekend coming up, the 11th and 12th June see here www.nyos.org.uk
I will admit that I didn’t settle to anything constructive in the studio. Four weeks isn’t enough time to design and construct a plate, print it, fold the paper and bind the book. So I pottered in the studio and spent time walking and gardening. I was often thinking about possible projects, but none got as far as even being scribbled down.
Here are two images of my studio ready for the first visitors. Thank you to all that came and viewed my work and I hope that there will be more visitors next weekend. The garden was much admired as well, creativity takes many forms!
This is an image of my stand at Printfest, Ulveston in the Southern Lake District.
I had kept a low profile over the last couple of years and in many ways it was daunting to go off, sleep in a strange bed and be amongst lots of people, but I’m pleased to say that all went well and that it was a wonderful event and so busy, I feel as if I’m only just recovering.
I did enjoy myself, with lots of lovely conversations with both visitors and fellow printmakers.
I always take along a textile piece from my collection and this time I incorporated into the stand design, the front of a gentleman’s waistcoat from the middle of the C18th. I felt that it helped visitors to make the connections between the original and my interpretations.
And here all 44 printmakers are together just before it all it all started. Image by the Official Photographer.
Next it’s North Yorkshire Open Studios, the first two weekends in June, it’s an event that takes place in artists studios throughout the largest county. Do take a look here. http://www.nyos.org.uk
When I had completed the books that featured in my previous blog, I realised that there was no time to complete more books before my next event, see below. Spring had arrived here in North Yorkshire and the garden kicked in, I have enjoyed the physical work and the day to day achievements that gardening provides and consequently I have spent little time in the studio, my mind has drifted.
I have set myself a task, not really ideas based but a method of getting me back to printing and book construction. All my plates have been long landscape shapes, all the better for making concertina books etc. So I thought a square design would be a challenge. The size of the square was determined by some lovely Indian Cotton Rag paper that I have and to compliment the paper I have selected as my design source a piece of early C17th Indian embroidery, slightly larger than a A4 sheet of paper. The silk embroidery is worked onto fine woven cotton with a rough silk Tussah backing to support the stitches. It would have been a coverlet and probably made for export into England.
I have got this far and we will have to see what becomes of the project, I usually know where I am going with an idea , so here I am somewhat in uncharted waters.
But deadlines will prevail, the props for my stand have been designed and freshly painted, cards have been organised, books still to sort and lists have been made.
Do visit the Printfest website, see http://www.printfest.uk , and see details of the event and the other artists that I am privileged to be exhibiting with. Maybe you’ll be able to visit, it’s a wonderful event and this will be my third time exhibiting.
Annwyn Dean 