#25 - I Can Haz Cheezburger?

It was so hard to wait and print patiently through this print's gawky teenager stage. What a challenge it was to trust that it would work out like I expected it. But I trusted, and it actually turned out better than I expected. I'm very happy with this print.

Here are the sketch and final print side by side:

#25 - Boxer - Seven Passes Through the Press

I've been reluctant to share my progress with this print of Boxer. I have been using the second plate, which has resulted in this kitty looking like an evil zombie cat. I have a few more colors to print, including black, which will bring him back to normal.

This print has been a good learning experience for me because I've seen how I can "wing it", and use the printing technique a little more like painting. The printing press has enabled that to happen. The process of printing another color is faster and so much easier physically. Looks like I'm headed toward 9 colors all together, and as a result there is a lot of depth to the image.

#25 - Boxer - Second Color

I wish I could do more than one color in a day, but there is too much carving. I also have a life! It would be delightful to have the stamina to draw, carve and print - AND do laundry, cook, clean, teach, etc.

I want to get some yellow onto this print tomorrow. We shall see if I get enough time to carve the second block. It's about 25% complete...it's loading...it's buffering. I'm thinking in computer language, even while doing analog tasks.

Print #11 - The Conclusion

Okay, so I didn't complete the print run... I only printed one. I will finish the run tomorrow. But, after all that work, I wanted to SEE it.

I selected a vibrant, handmade paper from India. I was concerned that the image would get lost in the color and texture of the paper, so I printed a rectangle of translucent yellow first. I can see this tiger/cat thing well on its vivid background, so I think it's successful.

I ought to have said in my previous post that this was a challenge to carve. I have never attempted something with lines this fine. I was concerned that it would be a washout failure, but I guess my skills keep on truckin', and was able to create what was in my mind.

I'm going to start sketching for the next piece. My husband has a birthday coming up, and has requested Hamlet as the subject. We expect that Hamlet is going to be a huge theme for our family in 2011. We will be studying it in Literature, and our daughter hopes to participate in the local youth Shakespeare's production of the play.