Exhibition and new work at Truro Arts Cafe

Christmas exhibition for those who would like to purchase my work over the holidays. There are new prints from the Peacock Plume in silver and plum to my lovely cockerel collagraph all framed for the first time!
Merry Christmas Everyone :)

Apologies for absence, I've been creating new work!

Firstly I suppose I must explain my absence from my blog! I have been busy designing art and have my very first exhibition in Truro. I sometimes find time away from the computer helpful when I need to be creative as it can be a big distraction. So what have I been doing? Mainly linocuts and one series of prints I am particularly excited about are the ones derived from a short story:
The Peacock and the Moon...
To see my current exhibition visit The Truro art shop/cafe next to the museum.
More updates soon...

Elephant collagraph

A playful print, simply made.

I am very excited this morning as I am hoping that the press that my farther-in-law has made with a car jack will work!

New Lino Print

Mice in Cornfield:

I had the opportunity to print on an old book press today, with a great space to work and hang my prints. This week has been a rare opportunity to do nothing but printing thanks to my lovely husband who has been 'daddy day care'. So here is one of the new prints created this week...soon to be listed in my Folksy shop;

How to make a simple collagraph (part two)

Wow I should rename this blog post- 'How to combine art and a workout!'...

Once the image is dry the next stage is to add the colours that you want. Be prepared to use a lot of etching ink as the rough surface literally drinks it! Then follows your workout.. 1 and 2 and ...wiping the matrix clean.
I added further ink (red and gold) 'on top' with a roller as you would when printing in relief.

The matrix inked and ready to print.

And here he is.... I won't be able to print another like him so he is unique!

Collagraph Cockerel Progress...

I am currently exploring ways to add texture as well as colour to my prints in the form of a Collagraph. It sounds a very fancy name doesn't it? But it is something very simple to do. 
Through the use of Collagrah  (gluing materials to a matrix ) there are endless opportunities to create texture and tone. I am particularly interested in producing a fine line print similar to a drawing and combining it with dense textured areas.

First i used a thick piece of card, drew the image and then surfaced scratched the drawing with a sharp pointed tool a dart is useful for this if no etching tool is handy! I then painted with PVA glue and sprinkled it with a fine grit called carborundum. (Very similar to fine sand. A great word though, I dare you to say that fast three times!)

The varying tone is only the different coloured grit i used, graded from coarse to fine which also creates tone when inked. (This then needs to dry overnight)

 

The next step is to add a sealant such as shalack (I think that's how it's spelt) or varnish which seals the matrix. You need wet paper to make the print, if you don't seal the matrix the PVA will become tacky again in the press = disaster!!

The matrix sealed with a brown coloured shalack.

I am printing this image tomorrow so I will keep you posted with the results...

Doodling in the sunshine.

Nothing beats sitting outdoors on a sunny day with a sketchbook and pencil in hand. It feels like summer today and not a cloud in the sky.















With the odd insect having a browse at my sketchbook and the sound of the chickens clucking now and then the page soon filled up and I was away in a corn field before I knew it...

Design for new lino

Cockerel Blue

Drying and waiting to fly to a new home...

New work- Inspiration behind the owls...

New Lino Print

When I first had children I felt like a night bird, during the baby stage, days and nights seemed to merge. The owls for me, seem to capture those special moments that mums know so well, even when you are so tired there is nothing like a good old snuggle...

If you wake while I am gone,
Just call my name I'll hear your song.
Hush little baby don't you cry,
For I will sing you a lullaby.

Soon to be in my Folksy shop...

Art Competition- Cockerel Lino Print Giveaway

 Signed Original Print Giveaway



OK guys Competition time, thought that it would be nice to give something back.  Today I finally finished my Cockerel print that I have been working so hard on.  I think it would look stunning in any kitchen or make a lovely gift for art lovers and especially for Mothers Day.

The Early Bird

How To Enter in:
1) Go to my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanart
2) SHARE and LIKE this COMPETITION.

Good luck everyone!  I am selling the second edition of this print in my Folksy shop, if you would like to find out more information about the print please see this link: http://folksy.com/items/3072558-Cockerel-Original-Lino-Print
Winners will be pulled out of a hat and announced just in time for Mothers Day on Wednesday the 15th of March.

Work in Progress- Day 3 of carving the Lino Cockerel

When carving a lino it is the negative (what will be white) that I am removing from the lino. With no tone it can be difficult to see what lines you want to keep, the positive (colour) and visa versa. 

TIP: I find a really good way to see what the image will look like as you are carving is to use at least a 9b pencil and rub over the lino surface, similar to a paper rubbing. Saves ink and paper if less proofing is needed.

What I find irritating about paper rubbings, when you want to see the positive line impressions as it would print,  is the paper moving and also it doesn't pick up the finest detailed lines.

I think about another half a days work and then it will be time for proof printing. Really excited about this print, will keep you posted as the first print will be given away in my first big freebie and we all love those right? :)

New work...

Carving a beautiful bird lino tonight, a sneak peek... Think I may give the first print away in a competition, watch this space :)

Collagraphs and Inspirations

Collagraphs and Inspirations

Ursula Leach- Seeds Escaping

When I attended university I experimented briefly with creating collages which I then went on to print images from but never really pursued this method further and focused on etching. Having come back to my roots recently and studying different methods of printing I have been particularly interested in Collagraphs.

Brenda Hartill and Anita Klein-Heavenly Bodies 

This method is largely experimental and can combine both intaglio and relief techniques. A good book which illustrates some of the techniques involved is published by A C Black;

"The Printmaking Handbook, Collagraphs and Mixed Media Printmaking" by Brenda Hartill and Richard Clarke.

Above: Sean Harris, A series inspired by retelling childhood nightmares and Welsh Pagan Folklore and Legend

I am looking to combine plates and methods in the coming months and I hope that using Collagraph techniques will allow me to explore texture in a much more experimental way using found materials rather than acids involved with etching.

Handmade with Love... Folksy collection

Stuck for ideas for Valentines?
Want something unique?

Deborah Jones Jewellery

Love Felts

Thought i would take on the challenge of making a collection of gift ideas I liked from the lovely world of Folksy and send for the competion...It was hard choosing only 18 items as there are so many lovely original handmade items but here they are...lets hope they get choosen!

Prickly Pear cmpany...from who...?

Under the thistle

                    

Zebedee Lino

Kirsty Elson Designs

Tubsuds- hot wax massage! ooo la la!

Kate Boyce-House of Chintz

Chamignons

Bread and Butter by Bev Jennings

Peony & Thistle- great for guys

Personalised Treasures

Heart cup by Emma Desborough-Hartly

Crafty Pagan Designs

Jar of Handmade Hearts

Reclaimed Time

Bloominfab

Wychbury

I wanted to include a couple more though these shops are on holiday... Pete Weaver Prints and Vintage Heart:

I have just designed and made my first print for Valentines which is in my Folksy Shop- Sheridan Art perhaps it will make someones elses collection!!!  www.folksy/shops/sheridanart.com

My favourite from the above would have to be the clock from Bread and Butter and the notebooks which are great for guys as gifts.

My blog was not happy with placing the images together but i hope that they have given you a little inspiration for the 14th of February... Love Dawn XXX

Valentines gift:

Some birds stay together for life, printed today and ready in my Folksy shop.