Book Making, General, Printing, Uncategorized

The Magic of an Idea – 20th August 2024

For many years my work has centred around fragments of antique textiles. They have provided me with numerous stories for me to translate into artists books and opportunities for research and learning .

My printed paper fragments themselves form a different set of stories, they relate to each other and explore different pathways.

Whilst considering different arrangements between these tiny prints, I had the spark, the magic of an idea and I have called it ‘Conversations Pieces’. This has led me into a new body of work.

So I designed two different printing  plates and began to consider the inter relationships between a mass of printed fragments.

‘Face to Face’

125 x 13cm. Hosho paper Collagraph printed background and printed fragments.

When folded the prints lie face to face.

‘Tete a tete’

40 x 13cm Somerset 250gsm paper

Two prints stitched together with linen thread. Added printed fragments.

When folded the two halves squeeze up together.

There are more ideas emerging to be resolved in the near future.

Book Making, General, Printing, Uncategorized

Fulfilling the Ideas – 11 June 2024

When the spark of an idea comes its a moment that brings a smile to ones face, the only anxiety being the need to write it down or draw a sketch before the idea has evaporated!

The two books that I completed this month both fell into that category.

‘Weaving Silk’ – Edition of 4

The loom punch cards that I had purchased last year inspired me to do some more work with them. The 68 cm long card was embossed onto Somerset 250gsm paper  with indents for the collagraph prints and then folded, the half folds became the covers and had the holes punched into them.

‘Validating the Everyday’ – Edition of 2

My Son had wondered why a friend and I exchanged emails most days and I quipped back, “We are Validating the Everyday”. These words remained with me for some days and then I realised that I had to create something. I used Indian Cotton Rag paper, with hand printed days of the week, blind prints in black for the week days and silver for the week end.

Thank you Bea!

And this is what my table looks like, sorting out ideas for the next project

Book Making, General, Uncategorized

Fragmented Folds – 15th May 2024

It has been a mixed few weeks as the weather has improved and become Spring- like, gardening has occupied much of my time and spending time in the studio has been spasmodic.

I had received a wicker hamper full of edible goodies and when they were eaten I wondered what use I could make of the basket. I lined it with felt and white linen and have used it as storage for most of my archive of books. It looks good sat on a shelf.

Then I refocussed on my printing and book construction. 

The fragments that I use in my books are called blind prints, I rip the paper to the size I want and then place the paper within the inked up plate. This method allows the ink to run over the edges so giving a different effect than one if  I had ripped the print up. I then thought that I would cut up a plate into squares, join them together on the reverse and then use them to print.

This page from my notebook shows the result. I decided that I preferred my original method of blind prints as I feel that it’s more lively with extra texture.

And so on to making a differently constructed book, called Fragmented Folds. The book is constructed from 7 pieces of Indian Cotton rag paper stitched together. A recess has been made in the centre fold with  and a collagraph print fragment placed within and embossed linen to the reverse. There are stitched holes to either side. It measures 8.5 x 8.5cm.

Happily there are more ideas spinning around my head waiting to be fulfilled!