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.

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!

Going to Japan

Hooray!

I will be receiving a MEXT Research Student Scholarship!

The award is from the 文部科学省 (Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology) to study for 2 years at a Japanese University.

I will be leaving for Tokyo on April 1, spending the first 6 months at Saitama University studying Japanese.

After finishing the program at Saitama, I will start studying printmaking at Tokyo University of the Arts.