AzureGrackle

I've wanted to get some grid wall pieces to be able to hang up some framed pieces or matted pieces at shows. I've found places online that sell them, but haven't looked into where I might get some locally. However, yesterday I went to Pier One just to look around and see with what I might be able to improvise. I found this:

It is about 5 feet tall, painted black wood and was described as a "decorative wall panel". Personally, I don't want it on my wall since it reminds me of the Brady Bunch house. But, I can carry it myself and fit it in my car. So this Saturday, when I'm at my last outdoor fair of the year, I'm going to attach it to the tent leg with zip ties and use it as an art display. I figure I can clip matted prints to it with big black paper clips and if I want to get fancy, I can hammer a picture hook or two into it. I'm not sure I'm ready to do that yet since I don't know how sturdy the wood is and if it might split. But at least I have something I like, I can use, and will show off my work better than having it all sit in bins on a table.

Photos of my booth at this past Saturday's Providence Open Market. Another slow day, but I did a bit better than the last time. It was very hot, and the wind picked up at the end of the day, enough so a couple of other vendors lost their tents. They had good weights, but the fabric ripped right off the frame in one case. In the other, the two women were folding up the tent and it got away from them. I worry about that too. I'd hate to have the tent go flying and hurt someone (and since it's borrowed).

This is a recent piece called "Aerial View". I've just dropped it off for another gallery show. Hopefully it will be accepted.

On a good note, I confirmed that the woodblock class I've signed up for will run with 5 people in it. Seems a good size to get lots of feedback from the teacher. It starts next Monday. I've signed up so I can learn new techniques and finally attempt to master registration. I do the full bleed prints right now so I don't have to deal with lining things up. And while I like the style I've developed, I also want to know more of what the rules are, so I know what I'm doing when I break them.

I went to visit my parents this weekend and Dad unearthed these gems from his collection of carving tools and whatnot. I apologize for the spillover of the photos, but I wanted them to be bigger than a thumbnail.

Dad's not sure where it came from, but his comment was "It's before my time". Since he turns 65 next month, I'm not sure what time he considers his exactly. There's no date on it but I would guess the 1930s or 40s. The handle is much nicer than the plastic one I have from a modern Speedball set. The little box for the blades is still the same, just green for gouges. I don't know if the pull blades come in gold boxes today. I'll have to check.

These two little booklets appeared when I asked for advice on sharpening my set of gouges. "Advice on How to Sharpen Wood-Working Tools" was publishing by the Carborundum company of Niagara Falls, N.Y. in October of 1929. Right around the Stock Market crash. Emanuel E. Ericson suggests the Carborundum Co. brand of slip stones are the best for sharpening all your tools - axes, pocket knives, carving gouges. A fine grit stone measuring 8" x 2" x 1", the largest size, was $1.50.

The book on the left, "Sharpening Small Tools" was printed in 1974, but the text looks not very changed from the original 1948 edition. Model & Allied Pulications Ltd. 13/35 Bridge Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. UK. 75p.

Good morning everyone. It's odd how the weather can have such a strong hold on mood. The last couple days here in New England have been in the 60s and low 70s with no humidity. More like end of September weather than end of August weather. It has been a nice respite from oppressive mugginess and good for the creative soul.

Saturday, I did my first Providence Open Market in Providence, RI. It was definitely a learning experience as they say. Not a lot of business, it seemed like the whole city was on vacation. Hopefully, more students will be returning this coming week and on into September. But the people were fun. My tent was next to two potters, Jason and Meghan, who work out of Dew Claw Studios in Pawtucket, RI. Meghan also sells as frostindir.etsy.com. We had a good time chatting and enjoying the day. I gave out a lot of cards, sold a handful of stuff, and made some good connections.

Yesterday afternoon, after unloading the car of all the market stuff, I decided to relax and started to read "Maisie Dobbs" by Jacqueline Winspear. A good summer mystery set in 1930 London. Easy reading but still well written and it sucked me in right away. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series since there are 4 total so far. I have to admit, I picked up the book initially because of the cover. It's a lovely woodblock print and it caught my eye.

In the evening I carved a new block. The seed pod pattern has been at the back of my mind for a while. It's based on an abstract painting by Sarah Slavick that was in the DeCordova spring show. She repeated these geometric seed pod patterns in various sizes and combinations. I liked the effect and have let it percolate for enough months that I feel like I am able to interpret it in my own style and not just copying from her. Different media helps too.

Seed Pod Block

This morning, I started on another block. Half sunrise, half half-circle window that you might find over a doorway in a colonial house. I didn't realize how much I like the colonial style in architecture, headstones, etc. until I started carving woodblocks. The designs are so clean and economical, and yet very specific and full of light. I hope the same can be said of my work.

Printing tomorrow with the two new blocks, I hope.

So I've finally hit the wall in terms of space in my apartment/studio. Or should I say "hidden the wall"? I reached a point this week where every inch of the floor space around the edges of the main room was covered with stuff. Some spots had more than one layer of stuff and the encroaching mess was too much for me.

I decided last week that since printmaking has grown to be a major part of my life, the way I allocate space should reflect that. I have lots of stuff - books, knitting patterns, beads - taking up space that no longer deserved precious space. So I've been cleaning. Tossing stuff out, giving bags to Goodwill, selling on eBay and generally moving everything around.

I have to say, it feels really cathartic. I've lived in the same small space for 5+ years now and it is definitely purge time.

Also, I have applied to and am waiting to hear from the Providence Open Market group. If I am accepted, I'll be in Providence on the following Saturdays: August 18, August 25, September 8 and September 22. I hope to see you there!