Friday 25 May 2012

Linocut

Well as I mentioned in last weeks blog my friend had shown me a beautiful illustrated book that she had just bought.  The book in question is The Alphabet of London by Christopher Brown.  Christopher Brown is a linocut artist who I had never heard of before though I feel I should have. Such stunning linocuts of the not so usual and usual well known landmarks and figure heads. People like Amy Winehouse, Charlie Chaplin and Mary Poppins pop up as well as a zoo keeper from London Zoo.  Sorry no images to show you of this beautiful book (mine hasn't arrived in the post yet) but this link should take you to Design Week newsletter page which gives a lovely write up to whet your appetite http://www.designweek.co.uk/blog/an-alphabet-of-london/3034107.article


















All this got me a little excited about doing my own linocuts.  I remember doing them at Art College and not being particularly good at it. I'm sure the linoleum that was provided at College was much tougher then because I have had a go and found it a lot easier than before.  The tracing of the image and cutting was all very straight forward but the printing was a little harder.  I didn't have printing ink so used Acrylic paint instead which didn't coat the lino well.  Julia came to the rescue with her pot of water soluble printing ink,  the result is above. Not perfect but a start.


Also as promised is Fish completed with water colour wash.


Wednesday 9 May 2012

World wide web here I come




I have been inspired by my friend Julia's new venture www.becreativedaily.com. She is on a 30 day challenge to be creative everyday and set up a website promoting this (well worth a visit).  I decided to be brave and start work on my website, something I've been wanting to get going for a long time.  I think I must have spent all day last Friday looking into the best deal and best choice of designed templates.  I finally went with Moonfruit and have spent the majority of spare time changing and tweaking things.  I managed to get www.lambandfox.com as my name but as yet it doesn't come up when you google it so help is needed with this.  Also I need to connect Facebook, Twitter, beloved blog to the site.  I have asked my friend Tim who hopefully will solve these computer mysteries for me.  He is a very busy man so it might not happen soon. I do still need to upload all the prints yet
anyway.  It is very exciting and frustrating in equal measure
but I am enjoying it.



I had in mind that I wanted to do an illustration of myself for the 'All about Lamb and Fox" section.  Thought that would be nicer than a photo.  You wouldn't believe the amount of time I took doing the face to get a likeness.  I think it looks a little like me?  My girls seem to think so, Mr.B said it didnt do me justice - sweet!  I also did another one, the smaller one shown.  I got a bit carried away though and have ended up looking like a smiling Madonna!  I have a book of European folk art that I sometimes use for inspiration and had been looking at the Bulgarian religious icon section showing the Madonna with amazing rays coming out from behind her head representing light.  This made its way into the little portrait, I think its clear I was obviously feeling good about myself on Saturday!

A million things still to do on the website.  Last night I sat down and thought to myself I need to do another word picture as I'm in danger of getting bogged down with computer stuff.  So started on Cat, hopefully I will finish this for the next blog.  Also the thermo fax screen arrived this morning, testing will begin soon! Busy, busy, busy.




Thursday 3 May 2012

Avoidance

A strange uncreative week really.  I didn't have much time to sit down and create which is always very frustrating.  Also after sending the designs to the thermo fax screen company I was disappointed to be told the designs were not suitable as they were too, "fussy".   They needed to be more simple with cleaner lines to avoid bleeding.  I find it hard to do simple designs!   Also my dear friend Julia discussed with me the possibility of exhibiting my work at the Nellie Dean in Dean Street, Soho.  Available space from the end of May.  I don't think I could be ready for the end of May (panic seeping in just thinking about it!) So I have done the classic Laura thing of avoidance so not to face the problem (sorry Julia for not getting back to you about this X). When will I feel ready - most probably if I'm honest mid - late summer.

























Anyway back to the thermo screens I managed to illustrate this, in between re painting floorboards (a true avoidance task!). Yes a simple design. Okayed by Claire, "perfect to be made into a thermo screen".
YAY - onwards and upwards.  Julia I will be in touch X