Little Hearts

I tested out my two new blocks this afternoon.  My little heart turned out really well although I wish I'd left the bottom part shaded instead of complete carved out.  I might try to fix a few areas or possibly carve another version that is textured all over.  

I tested the maze print as well.  The most difficult thing about all of my maze prints is that they are hard to print cleanly.  I think I need some sort of actually press to put enough pressure on the block for the entire surface to leave a clean image.  

After testing the print, I drew a few rough sketches of some of the text ideas I'm planning to pair with the image.

Now I need to sit down and organize some of the themes and stories I want to use.  Right after I go for a lovely afternoon walk, of course.  I just love sunny autumn Sundays!

New Art Project (Finally!)

For the first time in a few weeks I finally had a full day to just wander around the city, dream up new ideas, and actually sit down and make something.  It was such a good feeling to work on an art project again after such a long stretch of focusing on other things.

I've been researching some small, folded book designs, but I needed some new content to fill up the structures before I could start making them. Also, after weeks of pen and ink sketching, I really wanted to focus on creating something that could produce a repeatable image rather than one drawing that I'm scared to mess up by adding text to it.

The first block is a little anatomical heart.  I used the sketch that I included in the centre of Pax Familia as the base drawing.  I liked it so much in the earlier piece that I wanted to have a print that I could use multiple times.

The second is.... surprise!  Another maze!  A tiny maze actually.  Every time I start one of these mazes I remember how horrible they are to carve.  However, I love the mazes so much and I wanted a little one to use on cards, mini books, etc. 

It's a bit too late to test them tonight, but I'll try some prints tomorrow and post the results.  

Busy September

Sorry, everyone.  I feel a bit blindsided by how busy the beginning of September has been.  I've really been struggling to find the time to create anything.

I did manage a little brainstorming time to get a start on my 'Constellations' poem.  I've literally been thinking about this poem since last September when I took the letterpress workshop and created my little 'constellations' print.

The poem is in a really early stage, but it's progress!  Hopefully, I'll get it in better shape this weekend... right after I host to world's best bridal shower!