Fabulous Flat Files

Spring cleaning is underway in the studio. It's amazing how quickly things begin to pile up and before you know it there are so many stacks of paper and prints laying around that you can't fine what you're looking for. So I decided to go on a mission to see if I could solve my print storage problems.

Everyone I spoke to said that flat files were the way to go. However, after a little on line research I was convinced that I was out of luck; the price of a new flat file was over $800 for one 5 drawer unit! I was beginning to consider other storage alternatives when someone suggested craig's list.

After a quick search on craig's list, I found just what I was looking for. Less than 2 hours away in Massachusetts, was a Stacore unit in great condition, with a base, for only $400. My husband and I picked it up yesterday and it is now sitting in the studio ready to be filled. Sometimes lady luck is on your side!

Spring Fever

Spring is a time for new beginnings and I enthusiastically welcome the opportunity for a fresh start. After traveling and being away from the studio for few weeks, I'm more than ready to tackle new projects. In fact I have so many ideas running through my head that I'm experiencing a creative brain freeze! My plan for the week is to get organized; review the options I have for upcoming shows and exchanges, track due dates and set some REALISTIC goals. With any luck, I'll have a couple of pieces underway by the end of the week

As the old Irish Proverb reminds us, "If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn."

Time Away

Last week I was fortunate enough to spend some time on a beautiful Caribbean Island. Needless to say, it was wonderful to get away from the drab and rainy New England weather, bask in the sunshine and drink in the sights and sounds of a tropical paradise.

As I write this post, it is another gray & rainy day here at home so I'm making it a point to think about last weeks beautiful weather and remind myself that spring is on its way.

Layer 8

I just finished adding a darker value to my little girdled figure. (The print is only 3.5" X 3.5".) The image has a impressionistic, painterly quality to it but at this point I'm contemplating creating a second plate to add dark outlines. I'll let it sit for awhile before I call it finished.

I did however accomplish what I set out to do; that is just have fun with the process, move along and not worry about the outcome. A few more of these exercises wouldn't hurt.

Print Underway

Moving right along. Started out with a pale pink and layered on 6 more colors. I'm using Akua Intaglio Inks with a small amount of Akua oil converter to thicken them slightly to facilitate rolling. I like how they're working out and appreciate their slow drying.

Time to stop and access my progress. I'm thinking one final color; darker value.

Getting Started

This is the set up I decided to use. Since I'll be doing a reduction print, cutting away and printing as I go along, I need to have a good registration system. I decided to employ the same system I use when doing a serigraph.

I punched "dots" out of a scrap of matt board, glued them to another strip of matt board and then taped the unit to my linoleum. Next I punched holes in my paper - in this case Arches 88 - to correspond to the dots on my linoleum.

A window was cut out of a piece of mylar to act as a stencil as I inked the image area.

Playing Around

I haven't done a linoleum print in awhile. It was my intention to do something different, just have some fun with the process and not worry about the outcome; something that I'm inclined to do. I'm constantly slowed down by my propensity to focus on the message and perfect execution of a print. I tend to toss out prints that don't meet my high expectations. My goal is to loosen up, throw caution to the wind and focus more on the journey and less on the destination. We'll see how this goes.