Friday, May 22, 2009

Collagraph prints as collage


This photo includes both the plates and prints for my compass series. I'm using the compass as a metaphor for searching for my new direction in art making. I took an afternoon to create the plates using matt board as a base and adding "stuff" to create the compass with texture. After sealing the plate, I inked and printed using my old off set press with a crack in one of the wooden rollers and a big wrought iron turning wheel. I even overprinted with other plates for more texture. I used a thin paper that didn't require moisture and I used acrylic inks in just red & black . The blue compass was from rubber stamping on blue paint. I haven't printed in a long time, it was fun, it was focused and it was hard work and messy! Each print was a surprise with some disappointing and others interesting. I cut the circle shapes out and will use these in my next painting/collage. I'm sticking with my three days + studio days and I see a shift where I am moving from my center now and feeling stronger. I am a believer of taking first steps and the powers, the Universe, the muses step in with more strength and energy until it's a symphony of art making....my studio is humming again!
I hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day weekend, I don't know all that we are doing but I do know I'm making potato salad and maybe we will go to a barbecue or just stay at home and eat our potato salad! The weather here is morning fog and afternoon sun...I'll put out the flag!

23 comments:

  1. interesting to see these all together like this. most compasses are so metal and neat and orderly and these are so whimsical and earthy. They sort of "contradict" the pre-conceived image of a compass. I hope you find your direction. Maybe I should make some compasses for myself re: life direction. happy holiday.

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  2. Great to see what you are doing here...The photo is such a treat in itself. Texture! just fantastic...even though the roller has a crack, you seem to have some good prints here. (would love to see a pic of the press)
    I like the idea of a compass series...Enjoy your weekend :)

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  3. I love this ritual, in fact I am a ritual person and find them very powerful. The compasses are beautiful! I feel a new direction nearing birth and a painting ritual would be a very good thing. Thank you for your inspiration.

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  4. These are great compass images! Perfect metaphor for looking for your new direction. We are luxuriating in the long weekend as well. It feels relaxing to enjoy studio days and comfortable evenings. I’m making a grilled potato salad as well. Happy Weekend Mary Ann!

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  5. Oh I love the press!!! It's gorgeous.
    I noticed there are no blankets. You can increase the pressure by placing a few pieces of woolen blanket material between the top roller and your print paper. (you probably know that already...
    Thanks for posting pic Jo :)

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  6. Love the photo of your press Mary Ann.

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  7. wonderful textures here Mary Ann and of course your colors as always, so rich - your studio days sound like they are definitely full and satisfying - much going on here :)

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  8. Wow! I love your brave explorations. I'm imagining a mad scientist at work with equipment and materials laying about!` I'd love to see you at work.
    Miss you,
    P-

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  9. Suki, Yes, my take on the compass would be more playful, not so orderly. We all need an interior compass, a guide to direct us to where we need to go and what we need to do.

    Jo, Thank you...it had been several years since I used this press, Oh, the dust! A friend built this table so the second roller sits below the table which gives me a wonderful surface to set a plexiglass sheet along with the plate and roll the prints. I have used wool blankets and most times very thin sheets of dense foam. I found this press on the floor of an antique store years and years ago. It's great for monotypes.

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  10. Katherine, Ritual, alchemy all part of the artists tools, I believe, as well as imagination and play. Artmaking can be magical at times don't you agree?

    Leslie, I like being captured by an image, a metaphor. For me it takes simple tasks and elevates them to art making quests both individual and universal. I admit to living in my own world most of the time... lucky for me Pablo is in the den writing life into his world...we meet for dinner! ha

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  11. Jeane, I feel so fortunate to have studio time and yes, things are humming along. Although my first compass piece went a little too dark on me...I'll be back in there today scrubbing life back into it using a fair amount of Phthalo Blue and white! ha

    Patrice, Mad scientist/artist turning the wheel, pressing compass images, yes, good description. Paper, ink, brayers and wet prints all over the place...sometimes I scare myself! ha

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  12. Love the direction (excuse pun) with the compass'. I think this bodes well.

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  13. I enlarged the photo of your compasses and they are amazing... and I love the story of creating your prints... I hope you have a lovely day as well... Roxanne

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  14. I'm entranced by your compass series. Compass, finding one's direction, is a great theme -- one both personal and universal. We're all looking for directions in our endeavors, in our life. Great that you reactivated your offset press .. It still does the job!
    -Pablo

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  15. I love the idea of using the compass as a theme... beautiful colors those are....

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  16. Pat, I agree, the compass seems to suit me for now.

    Roxanne, I'm glad you enlarged because you can then really see all the texture. The fun of possibilities.

    Heartfire, Thanks for dropping by and yes, the compass is really speaking to me in shape and meaning.

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  17. Pablo, Thanks for stopping by with your encouraging words. Glad to know the squeaky wheel turning out each print didn't bother you. Enjoy your Reno trip!

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  18. I love to feel that sensation you describe when the muses, the force, the universe takes over, Mary Ann. Exciting project...it's unique and captures attention. The blue compass is particularly intense...like a button of joy. Great to see your creative energy flowing. <3

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  19. homemade potato salad - that was the best part of the whole weekend ...yum

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  20. I'm late to the current blog post but we had the American flag flying and enjoyed the weekend at home. Thank you, to all those soldiers that gave all for the freedom we enjoy. Your compass piece is alive and old-world at the same time. I think I could use a compass right about now. Ha.

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  21. Cynthia, You have such a great way with words...thank you, very inspiring.

    Jules, Memorial Day and Potato Salad...perfect combination!

    Karen, So glad your holiday was a good one. We all need a compass, mapquest and interior urgings!

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  22. "A symphony of art making" ...wonderful thought! Love the direction your work is going, Mary Ann.

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  23. Hello! I found your site via Jo's blog - mystory, where you had commented that you wished you could see some of the tv show's she mentioned. They are actually available here for download free - http://www.abc.net.au/tv/video/downloads.htm#?vid=video1. So now you can see them :) (The ABC offers many of its best shows as free downloads - as you can see, I'm hooked!)

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