Collagraphy

Collagraph Class

Mid-June this year I took a class from printmaker Jenny McCabe entitled "Creative Card Collagraph." Collagraphy is a printmaking technique that allows a more painterly application of ink than traditional linocut does, and you can use materials that might be headed for the recycling bin or trash to make it, such as offcuts from mat boards. Jenny has made a short video that gives a great introduction to the technique: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wTODbqgVoZg

My favorite piece that I did in her class was of a chickadee. (Yes, it's time for an intervention.) I created my plate out of mat board, carving and tearing and cutting it to make the image. Here is my plate with the ink applied on the left and next to it one of the prints from that plate.

     

Such a fantastic effect from such everyday materials. I definitely plan to make more collagraphs.

Exploring the Lake District

As you may already know, the collagraph class was part of a self-designed printmaking trip to the U.K. (See this post for more info: printmaking trip.) This particular class was in the Lake District, and I had five whole days to explore the area before the class began. I got around by bus, riding out to a lovely village every day and circumnavigating the nearby lake. Below are some of my favorite photos from that area.

This is Derwentwater, near Keswick, where I also visited the surprisingly fun and informative Derwent Pencil Museum. 

 

Many of the trails look like this. Lovely, no?

 

I came away with so many photos of adorable sheep. This one was outstanding in her field, so a photo was definitely required.

 

Upcoming

I'll share more about other places I visited, classes I took, and art I made in future posts. Don't forget my studio will be open Aug. 23-24 10AM-4PM for the Studio Tour. (You can find my address and information about the other artists here.) I had so much fun during last year's tour, meeting people who were interested in printmaking or printmakers themselves. I will have prints for sale, including some collagraph chickadees, but there is no pressure whatsoever to buy anything. I just enjoy talking about what I do and hearing about how others get creative. Hope to see you!