28 April 2006

Anniversary Print

Here's the final version of the Let Go print. The prints are drying now, so I haven't culled them yet, but I think it will be a variable edition of somewhere between 8 and 10 prints. The paper is Echizen Kozo, which I've been using for several months. This print feels like a big turning point for me. Visually it's different from my previous prints and the process, too, was different. Instead of "building" the picture from various pieces of color on the carved blocks, I worked on this more like a monoprint. I painted on the block using several types of brushes, not just the traditional maru bake, and I sometimes applied more than one color to the block for one impression. I let myself be much more experimental, sometimes letting the paper get dryer, sometimes adding moisture, and overall I felt more confident about following my whims. And, most wondrous of all, I even abandoned my original idea. Even though I had already cut the blocks! But not before I quickly printed it up, to be sure that was what I wanted to do. Just so you can see how far astray I wandered, here's what the abandoned plan looked like: 

This print celebrates my 1-year anniversary as a woodblock printer. Many more years to come, I hope.

5 comments:

Marissa L. Swinghammer said...

I love them both, but I especially love the first one. This may be your best print yet. Good job and congrats on your anniversary. I am getting to my year anniversary soon too. We have come so far!

Anonymous said...

Man. That is just so great. I really love the texture. I'm glad you went that direction. It make a much stronger piece, I think.

I hope that by the time I get to my one year anniversary, I'm even half as good as you (and Marissa).

Anonymous said...

Hi Annie,

Happy anniversary! It's been an inspired journey, thank you for letting us come along.

This print is exciting and a way better composition without the overt symbolism.

The torso has the gentle chairoscuro of the bokashi and intense red stripes, while the limbs and head are backlit. One body illuminated by two contradictory light sources. I am remembering your girl with the missing torso. It could be cool to have the golden background show between the red. On the other hand, if you wanted to bring side lighting to the black, you could carve in the highlights. Or not.

JaKo said...

Happy anniversary ! I always enjoy my visit on your blog , almost daily ! You did the very good job and I hope next ten years will the same ! :-) Thank you .

Cin said...

wow Annie, has it been a year! you have accomplished so much in so short a time, I love what you share here, many thanks, the unfolding of every print has been wonderful to watch, and congratulations!