Start the press!

I've taken a detour back to printmaking. And I'm having a blast!

I started out as a printmaker, and although I incorporate a lot of printmaking techniques into my fiber and mixed media work, it's been quite a few years since I printed onto paper with a press.

I had a revelation for a new series that is based on combining classic yet quirky patterns (like the fun hexagons below) with nature forms, in almost silhouette-like dark colors. I mixed up a set of colors in a refreshing palette.

I began by etching my background plates and applied them with two different colors to create the pattern.

It's amazing how old skills can sometimes come back to you so easily, like muscle memory, where your body remembers what it feels like to perform a task, plus the smells bring you right back.

If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen some sneak peeks of this series in progress (and if you're on Instagram, please let me know in the comments so I can follow you - I'm addicted!)

The first in the series, escarabajo i, completed and signed. The image size is 4" x 4" and I immediately cut a mat to see what it looked like (another hold-over skill).

Then I decided to try another pattern, a sort of modified chevron, on a smaller scale. I auditioned different color combinations for backgrounds.

Then I added a block printed beetle to each background. The completed images are just 2" x 2".

I will be adding these prints to my etsy store soon, stay tuned! (mats included :)