Gelatin Prints

Last week, I made eight gelatin plates to teach printmaking to middle school kids.  My co-worker and I combined classes to make a total of 41 kids from 5th -8th grade.  Here are the beautiful results.

 This is so simple to do, anyone with a bit of artist in their heart can do this at home with a few simple supplies.  To make the plates you need the following ingredients:  8 packets of unflavored gelatin mixed with 1 1/2 cups of boiling water.  Add 3/4 cup glycerine (I found it in the hair products section of Walgreen's for just a few dollars) and 1 1/2 cups rubbing alcohol.  Stir well and carefully pour into a glass casserole dish.  I let mine set-up overnight in a cool place.  It does not need refrigeration and will last pretty much forever, I think.  When we were done with our printing I took the plates home, microwaved them for about three minutes and re-poured them into the casserole.  They set-up and are ready for use in my next class.

 I used Speedball water-soluble printing ink to print on the plates.  I applied the ink with a soft rubber brayer.  These can both be purchased at an art supply store or on-line.  We used a soft newsprint to print on.  I gathered plant material that will lie rather flat on the plate, twigs, leaves, etc.  Objects with too much dimensionality will gouge your plate and make printing difficult.  We arranged our material on the plates and laid our paper over the top and pressed gently.  We then removed the paper and the plant material and laid  another paper over the top of the gelatin plate.  This paper captured the "ghost" image of the plant material in near photographic detail. The kids had so much fun, as did I (teacher example below).  I let the prints dry overnight.  The plates and brayers clean up with soap and water.

All About Me

Earlier this year, I was privileged to participate in the Group Show, "Visionary" by RAW artists.  It was a wonderful event.  One of the "perks" was a professional photo shoot and a professional video interview.  Here is my video.  If you had any questions about me or my work, here is the answer.  Thank you to RAW artist and to the videographer,  Paul Collett (www.squareknotproductions.com).

A New Fiscal Year

I love my birthday, and as I get older I love it even more.  It's so much better than the alternative!  This birthday was even more wonderful, as my two lovely teenagers REMEMBERED it.  Woohoo!  I have hope that they actually may become sensitive young men.  So here's to another year, and if you like to figure out puzzles, I am 25 in the Looking Glass World.  Rock on my Aries' friends!

Flowers and the best chocolates in the world (Moonstruck made right here in Portland) from my favorite teenage boys earlier this week to celebrate another year in the life!

Once Again I Am Grateful

  I am so grateful today for my communities.  I have so many intersecting circles in my life.  There are my Holy Redeemer friends, my Kenton friends, my Facebook friends and my Etsy friends.  The circles span the globe.  Love is the key, my friends, love is the key.  To that end here are a few item from Etsy shops of some people I dearly love.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226465885/shabby-pastel-pink-vintage-rosary-time?ref=shop_home_active_7

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226921999/ready-to-ship-pastel-clouds-spring?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226722244/vintage-ornate-rococo-picture-wall-frame?ref=shop_home_active_9

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226897454/multi-strand-cuff-bracelet-with-teal?ref=pr_shop

Texture Lesson and Spring Break

Today, the day of the eclipse, supermoon new moon, and the first day of Spring is also the International Day of Happiness.  To celebrate, I have been making art in my studio and reviewing the last couple of lessons I taught at school.  It is indeed a very good day.  It also begins a week of Spring Break.  I plan to make lots and lots of art.

Kindergarteners made crayon rubbings and then applied texture via a homemade texture roller and tempera paint.  Such beautiful art was created with so much joy!

Last night as a single parent.

My beloved spouse has been on a medical mission to Guatemala for the past 11 days.  He returns tomorrow night.

Newport Oregon just north of Yaquina Bay, March 8, 2015.

 He contracted pneumonia while he was there, thus doing his job as fix-it guy/chaplain while receiving IV antibiotics.  Poor guy.  I am doing a thorough spring clean tonight as a little gift for him upon his return.  No more dog hair dust bunnies.  Here is a picture from the beautiful Oregon coast where I took the boys on a mini-vacation this weekend.  It's no Guatemala, but it is beautiful!  Enjoy!

San Franciso

He is definitely one of my favorite saints. This is one of miniature sculptures that has found a new home.  In celebration of this art sale, I gave the dogs a bubble bath and a pedicure!  

San Francisco, December 2014, 2" x 3.25" x 2" deep,
 encaustic, silver leaf, and assemblage on typeset woodblock.