Wrapping up winter quarter

Hello all!

I've been working like a madwoman this week on finals-- it's probably been the hardest quarter yet! Luckily, I am done with two classes, and just have a little left in the third. I am still waiting to receive my book from Blurb. The package tracker said it arrived in Savannah yesterday... and yet, I haven't received a notification from SCAD's mail center. I really hope it hasn't gotten lost in the shuffle! Printmaking, as of this afternoon, is finally over! And I even have scans of my last two prints.



"What Will You Strive for in Your Life? 1/3" Relief Print, 2010.



"To Love Any Art Form 2/3" Relief Print, 2010.

I hope it's apparent that the two images go together. It's somewhat of a narrative-- the little girl asking a bird a question, and his reply. I wanted to do something a bit more within my illustration style for these pieces. The second work actually was the first one I made, and at that point I truthfully didn't really know where I was going with the concept! Only after I completed it did I know what I wanted to do. Both used multiple blocks and stencils. Printing in color isn't nearly as simple as painting in it! Because of the numerous colors and registration on each block, each piece had to run through the press many times. "Strive for" ran through it six times, and "Art Form" went through nine. That's a whole lot of printing considering these are editions and there were six attempts with each... I guess that would make 87 runs through the press (since one of them I didn't complete due to really poor registration). Yikes! A lot more complicated than it looks, huh?

Really quickly, I made a piece for the Counseling and Student Support Services' image competition. It's pretty bold, which is nice, but my favourite thing about it isn't the aesthetic as much as the concept. CSSS keeps you afloat when you feel like you can't tread water any longer!



"Let CSSS" Gouache and Digital, 2010.

That's all I have right now for you. I still have a whole piece to do (and a paper to write) for Survey, so expect another update soon!
adios
caitlin

Post-Christmas Lazies

Good afternoon! It's been a few days since Christmas (we just got back from a West Texas family gathering) and boy, am I feeling lethargic! I just barely mustered enough energy to take photos of these two prints I made (gifts to my cousins) and post them here. And now I need to start packing for my trip back to Savannah! I'll really enjoy being back at school, but it was so very nice to relax with my family for a little while. I love them so much.
When I return to SCAD, it'll be a busy but exciting quarter. I'm going to be taking a children's book class, which I can barely contain myself for because I am so thrilled, my second printmaking class-- relief (which is also a love of mine, in case it wasn't apparent!) and a survey of illustration class. The survey will be a toughie, because I hear that although it is a lecture class, there are projects assigned as well. I'm pretty much going to be in an extra class this quarter. I can't wait though; all three are so important now that I'm getting more specifically into my interests. There will be plenty of updates on those subjects! But enough of the blabbing- here are the two prints I made this break:

"Dillo" Relief Print, 2009


"Weather Bird" Relief Print, 2009

Sorry the photos aren't the best. I don't have a good scanner here at home.
I did both prints on linoleum, and used my old high school's ink and press. My beloved art teacher of four years, Mr. Bates, helped me out a bit. I've been so spoiled by SCAD's excellent printmaking studio, that using a little press and cheaper ink was pretty difficult! After switching from water-based ink to oil-based, the prints became a lot better, and I came out with quite a few good ones. Thank you, Mr. Bates! I have even more respect for the prints you create, knowing that's what you work with every time.
That's all for now! Have a happy New Year, everyone!
adios
caitlin