TOP SECRET-FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

I have had many email enquiries about how I make my collagraph plates, especially when I mention tile cement or Polyfilla. Every collagraph artist works in their own particular way, which I think is the exciting thing about this process. So here are my tips and wrinkles. If you are ever Gloucestershire way, I run weekend courses showing exactly how I work and pass on my secrets.

I am working on a commission at present, the drawings of which I have posted previously. I like to use grey board and as you can see I have reversed and cut out the shape of my raven and also started the background of oak leaves.

Mixing Polyfilla with PVA glue I have applied it to the substrate and while still wet pushed in pressed oak leaves. This gives a very delicate impression that will print fantastically. Remember less is more!

With the background dry I mask the edge of the raven with masking tape.

Apply another layer of Polyfilla(who are not sponsoring this post) and push feathers here and there again to give a hint of feather to the finished composition.
Feathers work really well, this photo looks as if the feathers are still there.

This plate is far from finished, Polyfilla and tile cement hold far too much ink and will print too dark if it is not sealed with PVA glue. I also want to use carborundum to make a really black bird.

So off to your nearest DIY store and see what fillers and tile adhesives they have on the shelves and experiment.

AR-T-PARTY

Yesterday saw the second Ar-T-Party, arty party, art tea party. The last one was 2 years ago.
Friends, family and neighbours joined together for an afternoon of tea and cake challenge, which was to bring an art related decorative fairy cake and a yum time was had by all.

A marzipan Magritte creation.

A Smarty Damien Hurst spot painting.

Dali floppy watches.

The challenging Van Gogh ear.

Then the cute creations, this cake has already been sampled.

Tea time...!

A pair of pandas.

This oasis in a sea of delicious glittery cakes.

And then there were the people who could not stop at one cake.

These butterfly cakes came with a wonderful explanation of fairy wing testing.

And last but not least the monopoly board.

This was an afternoon for all ages, tea and cake, what more can one ask for to celebrate the end of summer and the start of a new term?

WHAT'S IN YOUR GARDEN

I love this time of year, the garden seems to have a last colourful push before the autumn.
Looking around my garden I am thrilled at how much colour I still have.

From vegetables,

to flowers,

this flower is at the top of a 5 foot stalk,

and I will be soon picking my own chillies, but I am not sure how hot they will be.

My window box still has blooms too with these exotic looking flowers. Although I envy the dahlia growers, I am still pleased with what I have before the winter sets in.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

As you may have gathered I have not been about, Mr Brown and I have had been on our annual trip to Dorset for a few days under canvas. But things still happen!
I have had these 2 collagraphs accepted by The Society of Graphic Fine Art for their 90th Annual Open Exhibition.

To be held 3-15 October at the Menier Gallery,London. Check out the details on www.sgfa.org.uk

The New Brewery Arts in Cirencester has invited me to exhibit enamel spoons in their exhibition Only Words, 3 -20 October. Inspired by the Cheltenham Literary Festival happening at the same time it will be a stimulating exhibition of artists work that have text elements. www.newbreweryarts.org.uk

I am still inspired by Marley and have been planning more collagraphs.

These drawings are in preparation for a commission, of which I will tell more when I am further on with it.

It feels like my break in Dorset was 4 weeks ago not 4 days, I could be showing you glorious coast lines and charms of gold finches, but while on a walk Mr Brown and I found a house with these in the window. Now my imagination is going 10 to the dozen...any suggestions?

COLLAGRAPH AND ENAMEL EXPERIMENTS

My day out on Saturday must have done me the world of good as I have spent the last 2 days in
the shed finishing off prints and playing with enamel. These are the Eider ducks I started at Art in Action.

I have added strings and a label to the rooks.

I have completed this raven and I am calling it The Bargain.

This is a proof of Marley that creased because I had the paper to wet, so I thought I would experiment with cutting out a background. It certainly sorts out the crease!

I spent today making these little sculptures.

Etched copper, enamel and screen printed transfers My riveting is a bit out of practice, but I am pleased with the ease of firing in my new kiln.

I might take a day off tomorrow or do some drawing?

A GRAND DAY OUT

The lovely Mr Brown could see that I was getting a little frayed around the edges and needed a day out of the shed, so off we went on an adventure. Our first port of call was The Foal Yard in Bransford, Worcester to see my chum Sharon McSwiney. Sharon was not in but we had a fab time chatting to her Mum and her other half Tim and came away with a few purchases and a lovely lunch.
A treat from Mr Brown, these lovely silver earrings, made by Sharon. The Foal Yard is a great place to see designer jewellery, unusual kitchen ware, good food and more. Check out Sharon's web sight for directions http://www.sharonmcswiney.co.uk/.

Next stop was just outside of Worcester heading north, the Bevere Gallery, we have traveled past the AA signs to this gallery on the way to Kidiminster for years and at last we have had the time to pop in. What a gem for those of us interested in ceramics and artists prints.

At the moment there is a wonderful sculpture trail through the gardens. An amazing gallery full of big name ceramicists and printmakers plus a cafe with great cake. For those who know me well great cake is a vital ingredient!

These photos give just a taste of the variety of work available in the gardens. Mr Brown was tempted into a purchase, 2 beautiful ceramic pieces by Lara Scobie. I feel like I have had a bit of a holiday, so tomorrow I can tackle the Eider duck plates waiting for me in the shed.

PROOFING

I came back from Art in Action with freshly made collagraph plates and I have now had time to proof 2 of them. I am very happy with this raven plate, a portrait of Marley, the bird I met a few weekends ago. So this is now ready for editioning.

I am also pleased with this raven, but it needs a few added items to give the piece a narrative. I will get to work on that tomorrow.