Leftovers Again

For a few years now I've been participating in WingTip Press' "Leftovers" print exchange. It's a fun way to use up small scraps of paper and plates and helps support a good cause: The Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force.

I usually end up with a stash of small photopolymer plates along with odd sizes of paper. This exchange is a great way to put them to good use.

I was having some trouble working the plates because some were so old that I wasn't able to get a good plate exposure. A few pieces were the old dark reddish color, some were the newer copper color, and a few were the new gold color. Needless to say, it took a number of trials to finally arrive at a good exposure time to achieve a satisfactory print. I need to remind myself that when I stash scrapes of plates, I should date them on the back and make notes of exposure and developing times.

It took a bit of trial and error but after a mornings work, I had the edition completed.

When I was working up sketches for the image, I was thinking about all of the ideas I have flying around in my head that don't often get realized due to life's everyday interruptions. Personal "leftovers" that hopefully I'll get around to exploring.

I think I'll spend the afternoon cleaning up my messy studio. It's way overdue for some organization!

Continuing the momentum

2018 is quickly running out of days and there is the numerous obligations and usual holiday preparations underway. I was determined to keep my progress moving along in the studio so I began work on a second exchange portfolio print. Working on these small plates is perfect for this time of year when studio time is limited.

Moondance Studio

I was away from TreeTop Studio for a couple of days so I just brought everything I needed to print with me.

A few years ago, I was very fortunate to get a hold of a small second hand Conrad press. Its perfect for the beach house and even though the studio space there isn't totally resolved, I managed to clear an area to get some work done.

Solarplate and first proof

Every year I enjoy participating in this international print exchange. This image is based on my grand-kids enjoying the final days of summer. The silhouetted figures and elongated shadows from the setting sun really emphasized the fading season.

After an afternoons work I had an edition of 15 plus completed. Nice to know that if I put my mind to it, and with a little preparation, I can print when I'm away from my main studio space.