Space to Ink: March 2012

Tuesday, 27 March 2012

All Prepped Up...

My current work space - ready to go...

It looked so nice, I thought it was worth a photo.

The paper is Fabriano Tiepolo. I soaked it for five minutes then laid it on plywood, and taped the edges with water-activated gummed paper tape (available from Gordon Harris). This should withstand a good splashing of water, ink and paint while remaining beautifully flat. Will post results soon...

Ooh, have to share... I just won a second folding chair (like the one above) on on TradeMe, for six dollars! I've seen them for around $160 at vintage stores. Score!

Friday, 23 March 2012

Oliver Jeffers: Lost and Found

Images from Lost and Found - Oliver Jeffers - 2006

This book always makes me smile. So adorable. I love Oliver Jeffers.

I am looking forward to seeing him draw live at the www.writersfestival.co.nz

The boy and the penguin feature in a sequel called Up and Down.

Here's a fun trailer for the book: Up and Down on www.youtube.com

Lost and Found has been adapted for an animated short film - which is quite an extension of the book and equally adorable. Here is the trailer on www.youtube.com

Jeffers' website is worth a visit. He has a shop - I want the Four Dimensional Glasses print.

www.oliverjeffers.com

Shaun Tan: The Bird King and Other Sketches

Front Cover - The Bird King and Other Sketches - Shaun Tan - 2010

Detail of a page from The Bird King and Other Sketches - Shaun Tan - 2010

Shaun Tan is one of my heroes. I've collected his books for many years and was lucky enough to see him speak at the Storylines Festival back in 2007.

The Bird King and Other Sketches, published in 2010, is a collection of drawings, doodles, observations and trials, straight from the pages of Tan's sketchbooks.

Revealing process and writing about one's approach is a sensitive matter for most artists, let alone opening up the pages of your workbook for all to see! Tan writes openly about his practice and refers to Paul Klee's concept of "taking a line for a walk."

Reading that Tan can feel "utterly uninspired and unreceptive" when staring at a blank piece of paper made me feel so much better!

"There is only one thing to do: just start drawing."

See more at www.shauntan.net

If you visit, do read his account of learning that he had achieved the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2011. It's on the news page. Heartwarming story. A well-deserved honor for a great artist.

Link for this book on www.fishpond.co.nz

Friday, 16 March 2012

A Birthday Card

A birthday card for Hillary

I made this late at night and the control I lost through my inability to keep a steady hand, I think, made for a better result.
I thought I had dried the indian ink well enough with the hair drier, but alas, it was too thick in places and when I washed over the water soluble pencil the ink bled.
In all the murkiness the lettering didn't stand out, so I added white gesso with a tiny brush.
Maybe not the greatest card ever... but always better than a bought one!
Happy Birthday Hillary.

Wednesday, 7 March 2012

The Unlikeness: Another drypoint on cushioned vinyl

The Unlikeness - Drypoint on cushioned vinyl - Steph Chalmers - 2009

I made this work after I saw the Rita Angus exhibition at Te Papa. I had never felt compelled to do a self-portrait but seeing the variety of ways Rita represented herself made me want to complete at least one. I think I got it out of my system.

This work was selected for the National Painting and Printmaking Award 2009.

Detail The Unlikeness - Drypoint on cushioned vinyl - Steph Chalmers - 2009

The ink drawing continues...

Ink drawing in progress - Steph Chalmers - 2012

I don't think it's quite finished yet...

Oh Dear: A drypoint printed on cushioned vinyl

Oh Dear - Drypoint on cushioned vinyl - Steph Chalmers - 2007

This work was selected for the National Painting and Printmaking Award 2007.
The child is based on Jody from the 1946 film The Yearling.

I liked the way the cushioned vinyl responded to the ink... but I have reservations about using it much more because it's a synthetic material. Printing on paper or canvas just feels better.

I've made several other works to use up my stock of vinyl... which I will find and post soon.

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Idiom Work: Stumped.

Stumped. - Drypoint and pen - Steph Chalmers - 2010

I was short on ideas when I made this.

This is another work where I cut the plate to shape - see image below.
The mark making was done with my Dremel.

After I printed the plate, I did the lettering by hand using a Zig Millenium ink pen.

I'm glad I added the full stop. Definitive.

Drypoint plate for Stumped. - Steph Chalmers - 2010

Idiom Work: An Albatross Around Her Neck Too

Plate for An Albatross... too - Steph Chalmers 2011

Another work using cut-out plates. The girl is teeny tiny.

I don't know what took longer, cutting out the tiny girl or tying the fine thread around the albatross' neck.

The albatross looks like a big duck. I think I should have made it white.

An Albatross Around Her Neck Too - Drypoint and thread on paper - Steph Chalmers - 2011

Idiom Works: An Albatross Around Her Neck

Plate for An Albatross Around Her Neck - Steph Chalmers 2011

I cut this plate to shape with a craft knife, it was tricky and threatened to break several times. My Dremel and sandpaper came in handy to clean up the edges.

After I printed the plate, I flicked the tiny specks of paint on with an old toothbrush.