Craig

Craig
A Glimpse Into the Daily Workings of an Artist's Studio.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Out of the Gate on a New Commission

Here's the beginning of a new commission that I'll tell you more about, as it goes along.

This is the first two colors.














Here we have three more small stencils (note tiny pink stencil on the tail lights.

Tomorrow is a babysitting day for my grandsons, so I'll cut some more stencils in the afternoon, but will probably not do any printing.

Lots of little stencils on this one so it'll come together slowly.  Stay tuned.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A New Finish With Three More Colors

There it was in my dream last night; not as I had printed it, but as an autumn scene with more color in the leaves of the vines.  What could I do but print three more colors.
If I've learned anything over the years of printing, it is not to be afraid of changing what you've already done
if it makes your final product better.

In this instance the addition of three more colors has enhanced my piece significantly.

As far as a title for the piece, "Autumn Vines".

Now, this edition will dry overnight and I'll inspect and sign tomorrow.

My next job is a commission serigraph that you will enjoy.  I'm ready to roll and will post as soon as I can get started on the printing.

Stay tuned.

Monday, February 20, 2012

A Full Day & A Very Nice Finish!

I spent all day yesterday, Sunday, cutting stencils with the plan that today would be a day of solid printing.

The first two colors that I printed this morning were dark purple and dark green and they printed beautifully without a hitch.

Had leftover lasagna for lunch, which is the perfect lunch whenever you are printing.  Then prepped the screen for my biggest pull of the day.









This is the black stencil printed by itself so you can see the six hours worth of cutting that I did on Sunday.
















This is the print after the application of the black stencil.  Almost looks finished, but I decided to print an additional stencil on top of the black in a very deep green.  This stencil was also pretty complex, but not nearly six hours.  As a matter of fact, after printing the black, I began cutting the dark green and was able to adhere and print it this evening at nine.















So after twelve hours of printing today I have a finished edition that has me feeling very pleased.

Once I get rolling on a print it's very difficult to put down the squeege and delay progress for another day.  I guarantee you that I will sleep well tonight.

After an overnight drying, I should be able to inspect and sign this edition tomorrow.  Only problem is that I don't have a title as yet.  Maybe I'll dream one up tonight while I'm asleep.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Dark Brown and Olive Green Today

Two good pulls today with the  registration (alignment of the colors in relationship to each other) being perfect.
Tomorrow I'll cut a stencil for the dark purple and dark olive green.  If all goes well I'll be ready for the black stencil
(the biggie) that will take most of the day Monday to cut and hopefully print.  Since the black stencil goes from top to bottom and side to side it will be interesting to see if everything fits.
So far so good.  Stay tuned.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Four Colors Printed, Now You See It

A wonderful day for printing.  Got the gray, two shades of green and the brown down.  The brown ink printed like velvet; so smooth and opaque.  I've going to cut a pretty involved green stencil tomorrow then a dark brown.  The last color, black is going to be one of those all day, (or maybe two day), affairs that is going to be a fun challenge that I'm really looking forward to completing.  Stay tuned.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Three Colors Today; Looking Like Something

I can see it, but you probably can't yet.  Tomorrow's printing will add a lot to the composition.  Stay tuned.















FLASH!!!  Remember my "people" on Rockville Pike at the Giant Shopping Center at Montrose Road?  Giant Food has put out feelers to local municipalities that  might be interested in having the seven pieces.  Takoma Park has stepped forward and I will be meeting with a city planner to discuss site and installation possibilities tomorrow.  Everything is still very "up in the air", but I'll keep you informed.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Four Colors Printed Today

Printed four colors today and it still doesn't look like anything.
This is going to be like Wheel of Fortune.  I'll keep adding clues until you figure out the puzzle.  If I'm going create something you can identify, I'd better get busy cutting more stencils.  I have a large and very organic stencil slated for tomorrow which should lend some light on the subject.
Stay tuned.

Monday, February 13, 2012

What is it???

Began a new print today with two colors.  I'm afraid you're going to be hard pressed to figure out what I'm creating for a few days until I get some more ink on the paper.  I'll preface this project by telling you that the black stencil is huge and very definitive.  That said, you have the option of following along as it develops or coming back in a week or so to see what's materialized.  There's going to be a lot of green, because this piece is very organic.  I'd show you my preliminary sketch, but then that would ruin the surprise.
Stay tuned.