New Baby!

I have often dreamed about having a table top press. Something fairly portable that could be taken on the road for printmaking demonstrations and most importantly, a press to use at the beach house. This weekend my dreams came true!

A printmaker, in the process of moving, advertised their press for sale. I called the minute I saw the ad and the purchase was confirmed. So, a weekend trip to Cape Cod was planned and I'm now the proud owner of a Conrad etching press. E15  It's a little beauty in pristine condition and she is now sitting in my workspace at the beach. I can't wait to give "Moondance Press" a try.

Not only did I acquire a press, but my husband and I took some time off to just enjoy a nice weekend trip. Rather than turning around and heading home from Wellfleet, we decided to stay over in Chatham, at The Captain's House Inn. Inn
 

Take some time to relax, dine out and enjoy the sunset.

We took a detour on the way home and stopped in at The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, Ma. museum to see the Boston Printmakers' members exhibition - "Look Again". slide show
This regenerative exhibition challenged BP members to create response pieces to one of 42 works from the museums collection. I chose to respond to a print by Ken Kerslake.

 And ended up with this.


The distinctive composition and title of Kerslake's "Sense of Place" inspired me to explore an idea I've often contemplated. If you had two places that you loved, how could you choose one place over the other?

Two locales I call home are distinctly different. One a secluded nest-like sanctuary surrounded by tall oaks. The scent of the woods surrounding you, sounds of birds and wildlife and glorious seasonal transformations. The other with a majestic view of the Atlantic ocean; infinite space, salt air, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets accompanied by an endless soundtrack of surf. When I'm in the woods, I'm thinking about the beach. When I'm at the shore, I'm thinking about the woods.

"Conundrum; Woods or Water?" addresses the dilemma of choosing a favorite.

It was interesting to see the three responses to Kerslake's print hung side by side.

One of my favorites in the show was this piece printed on Post It Notes.

This large bee triptych was quite impressive.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend and it felt great to break up our routine and get out and about.