Springtime!

Like a Tidal Wave-line etch, multiplate monotype

Yet another deep line etch-altogether, this plate spent about 36 hours in the acid (including aquatinting time). I printed the image in black and white, then resoaked the paper and reprinted it with the color painted on plexiglass. The text is written on after it's printed, so that I can alter it with every edition. This is a new direction for me as far as content goes. I wanted to explore the expression of the romantic/sexual aspect of my personality in my work, which I haven't really done before. It certainly helps that I now have plenty of inspiration for it, and someone in my life with whom I can openly express it. I love the way this came out and am eager to continue experimenting with this new area of subject matter, as it is quite different from what I usually do.

Two Possible Outcomes-line etch

This one is not completely finished; some aquatinting is in order, I think. I did this drawing immediately after a discussion in my Violence against Women class that focused on battered women who kill their abusers. The justice system definitely works against these women in a lot of cases. In this image, I wanted to depict what would possibly happen in two scenarios-one where the victim kills her abuser and one where the abuser kills his victim. She would be more likely to be charged with first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, even if she had no previous criminal history and evidence of domestic abuse was present. He would be more likely to be charged with manslaughter, and could even be released in a few short years. This is exemplary of the way domestic violence is still not taken seriously in our society, and the way victim blaming is a system which prevents victims from the justice they deserve.

Landing-monotype

The Greatest Word in the English Language-line etch

This is an idea I've had for awhile, just kind of a silly print. I drop f-bombs abundantly, and I thought about all the different ways in which the word "fuck" can be used. It's pretty universal. It can be a verb, an adjective, a noun...used in negative or positive connotations...it's just a great word. I looked in the dictionary and found several definitions and variations of it, and used urban dictionary to fill in the rest of the space.

If storm clouds could bleed-monotype

Dissentigration-line etch, monotype

This one is still in the works, as I added some aquatint to the background, but this is one of the first proofs I pulled. Yet another deep line etch. This image came to mind after hearing about plans to install microchips in consumer goods to track purchases, and it got me thinking about the chips that are being implanted in people (which they volunteered to have done...). It's a scary thought, something out of Orwell or Huxley. What if you were implanted without your knowledge, what if these things could be developed to mess with your mind and make you some sort of drone? With all the secrecy and manipulation that goes on from those in power, thoughts like that don't seem too far fetched.

Dancing in Twilight-monotype

Maniacal printing weekend!

What a productive weekend! Straight up printing like crazy, and it was a blast. Maybe it was the nice weather or something. Spring is flowing into my bloodstream...



From the Heart-line etch

My very first long-ass etch: this plate was in the acid for about 22 hours. I was a little afraid that the lines wouldn't hold ink but they're perfect. I drew with my scraper to get the thicker lines, and got the base facial expressions from photos of some metal shows, after kind of doodling on my plate and getting the idea. Then I prepped another plate and got this...


From the Heart-line etch, aquatint, multiplate

For the background plate, I have two silhouetted guitar-playing figures, also from photos. I wiped the aquatinted areas (just the figures) with red and rolled yellow over the top. I was skeptical as to whether the images would work when combined, but they both work well on their own so I wasn't terribly concerned. It worked, though! This print is the second in a series of metal-related images that I started last semester with "Stage Presence". It kind of speaks for itself, I suppose. I'm having fun with this series, and look forward to continuing it. Big thanks to all the bands I've seen and listened to for enabling me to have awesome photos to work off of (and to Metal Pat for the ones I used that were his), and of course, to the man with the iron lungs for the inspiration to begin this.

Tiger(Lily)-line etch, multiplate, monotype

The second print I've pulled of this image-I painted the background on the back of the plate, printed it, then inked up the tiger and printed that on top. This print was inspired by my current relationship-the first real one I've had in years, and the first truly excellent one I've had..ever...so it's really exciting, and I wanted to symbolize it in a way that's not obvious to everyone who looks at this. I think I'll leave it at that and let some mystery remain.

Catching Rain-monotype

Just playing around-this is the first time I did a monoprint using a large sheet of plexiglass. I spread ink on in all directions and then took a Q-tip to draw in the figure by wiping off ink.

Dark Angel Ascending-monotype

Another monoprint with the sheet of plexi. I had And Hope to Die cranked, played with ink along to the music and this is what came out of it. I'm ecstatic about this one-it turned out great. AHTD...the fuel behind many works of art

Untitled-monotype

More playing-I rolled red and yellow on, then drizzled on some oiled down blue. And it actually didn't run all over the place, which was surprising. I'm probably going to do something more with this one, haven't decided what yet, though.


Untitled-etch/open bite

This is the same plate as the one I used in the monoprint above. I had been working on an image with this one, but it's an old plate and was too beat up, so I just said Fuck it, splashed some asphaltum on it and threw it in the acid for about 20 hours so it could be a plate to play around on. And I will. We'll see what else happens with this one.


Untitled-Monotype

Same thing as above, just dripped oiled down ink onto the plate and let it do its work, then saw kind of a head shape, so I took white ink and painted on facial features.

World is on Fire-monotype

Another one with the large sheet of plexi, just experimenting. I'll likely do something else with this one as well. Updates as they come along, of course.