Instant noodles

Although I prefer to draw unpackaged food items rather than containers and labels, I keep returning to the image of instant cups of noodles. I sewed a cup noodle into my 2010 prints Sweets, instant noodles were the focus of my 2010 christmas card, and they made an appearance in an untitled linocut made last year. For me, they are the perfect symbol for convenience and are just as important as sashimi, tofu or soba the spectrum of current Japanese food.
I also seem to have made a copy of my Canadian themed print, Common Interests, just with slightly different subject matter.

People often ask why I print with such light colours. When you look at the finished product you may not be able to see all the layers (sometimes I can't even believe it) but it makes a huge difference. Both prints are the same black but the one on the left has a slightly blue-grey tinted flat printed on top. Colours don't always have to be bright to have an impact.

I ended up adding 2 more layers (impossible to tell, I know) giving it a much more desirable revolting feeling.

Title has yet to be decided, suggestions welcome.
I will scan a better image of the print once I have signed and editioned it.

Summer is on it's way

It's almost July!
July will first bring an international student trip to Nikko, followed by 2 group exhibitions. 大学版画展受賞者展 at Bumpodo Gallery, July 7-24, and an exhibition by the printmaking department faculty and grad students at INOAC Ginza Namikidori Gallery, July 14-31.
More info to come!

版画集

今年も芸大の版画集を作ります。

制作中

ボール馬連

ボール馬連を作りました！使ってみる為に木版画を作ろうかな：）
We had the ball baren workshop at school yesterday. A baren is used for printing woodblock or relief prints by hand. Instead of the typical bamboo leaf covered flat surface, we made barens with balls that roll along to create pressure. They work well not only for waterbased woodblock, but also for linocut and wood engraving.

This drawing gives an idea of the structure. On top is a rounded wooden disc.

 On the non-curved side you glue a 2cm cork ring. Then you cut and glue a rubber sheet and plastic sheet to fit inside the cork. The important part is that the rubber and plastic sheets are not the same height as the cork.

 Then you have to arrange the balls, leaving holes for screws. These are the type of metal balls used for ball bearings. Putting in the screws also proved to be a challenge. I dropped the baren at this point, sending the beads flying all over.

 Once the bottom was secure, we made handles out of twisted leather held in place by bits of copper.

 Finished product looks like this... can't wait to try it out.

Here is the artist, seemingly pleased with her creation!

copper plate printing on plaster - 石膏刷り

愛知県立芸術大学の井出先生の石膏刷りワークショップに参加しました。石膏に版画が刷れると全く知りませんでした。とても貴重な経験でした。
We had a special lecture and workshop run by Sotaro Ide, a printmaking professor from the Aichi University of Art, about printing copper etchings on plaster. I had no idea such things could even be done!!!

 Plates were made using bits of plants pressed into soft ground and etched overnight.

 Then they were all inked up and wiped and placed in a water bath to speed up patination. Professor Ide uses the green and blue oxidation of the copper to create monotype-like prints

 The plates were then taped into a cube

And filled with plaster.

Once the plaster dries, remove the plates...

And voila! Copper plate etching on plaster! Incredible!

Group shot after the workshop

Baren Workshop

I am very excited for the baren making workshop at school this week. We will be making ball-type barens.

Step 1: Round the edges on one side of a wooden disc (I think mine turned out a little different than the typical shape of a baren)

Some things just never change

Sneak peek of my new lino with sewing... very familiar imagery.

やっぱりアイスのモチーフ飽きない！

Side project?

I think my side projects take up as much of my time as my "main" project. While I do love litho and its potential for interesting mark marking, I just can't get over my love of lino.

Not that there is any reason I have to.