Thursday, January 28, 2016

Finished print for Barenforum.org exchange, onward!

Angry Skies

Here it is the finished print for the Barenforum.org exchange and a little slide show on how it was made, step by step. There are a few other slide shows and also videos on my YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts

Print Title: Angry Skies
Paper Dimension: 7.5x10 inches
Image Dimension: 7x9 inches
Block: Cherry wood plank key block, cherry plywood color blocks
Pigment or Ink: Charbonnel Aqua Wash oil based
Paper: Magnani Pearl
Edition: 55
Comments: Focusing on the beauty of the mundane this year, we have had a blustery January with frequent winds, clouds, rain...energy! On my daily walk, I see the winter desert and the cloudy days bring out the hidden colors popping from under the drab overall view.






Slide Show


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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

A little print for a Barenforum.org exchange

Exchanging Prints

One of the wonderful things about being a printmaker is that there is a long tradition of exchanging prints with other artists. My collection of prints from fellow artists is now in the thousands! For the pleasure of getting someone else's artwork, we send some of our own. Beautiful.

Barenforum.org is a woodblock/woodcut printmaking loosely organized bunch of folk who have exchanged prints over the years. This particular exchange calls for a 10 x 7.5 inch print, no theme, 27 participants. Let's get to work.

Angry Skies

My inspiration this year is in the mundane. I walk nearly every day up, down and around a local park with pup in tow (or viceversa). This winter has been particularly blustery and many days the skies seem to show a lot of pent up energy, waiting to unload. Cold wind buffets my face as I snap a few bad reference pictures. Then on to the studio to capture the feeling.
The picture captions tell the rest of the tale so far.

Reference photo

Carving the main block

Key block (main block) is done!

A proof on working paper

Proof "Angry Skies"

Transfer key block to color blocks with mylar

Color blocks ready to be carved

Vegetation block in rainbow roll (split roll)
mustard yellow to dark reddish

Registration jig so paper always in the same place

Pulling  a print on good paper

The split (rainbow) roll close up

Day's work, 65 prints roughly, tomorrow another color!


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Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

2016 is Here! Planning, Planning, Planning...

Left Brain Kicks In

This time of the year, I look at my new calendar straight in the face. Looking at the entire year at a glance can be daunting and really drives in the thought that time is short in this life and we may as well live, do, work, travel, and make art!
Being an artist this year began last year when I applied for some art shows and exhibits; the good ones always have applications well ahead of show time. 
Like a row of booths at sunrise, the year awaits to open...
And since I enjoyed my residency here so much, I also applied for a residency at a National Park. Applying is a game of chance; jurors like what they like and at any given time, luck may strike. I always tell artists to maximize their chances by putting their best foot forward every single time. Try, anyway. Reading applications and carefully following instructions to the letter makes me squirm, but that's how the game is played. 

Frames are on the way and preparations have begun for early March, when I have an opening in Oakland California for a month-long exhibit that promises to be awesome. Here is the information:
Peace Puzzle Print (plus!) 
Event On Facebook: Opening Reception for Exhibit 

Aside from art festivals and the occasional exhibit, I really don't do much more in terms of art networking. My personal business model is rather simplistic: make art, sell art. Sometimes I like to teach art. All the while my online shops seem to have gained traction at are now producing some (amazingly) consistent sales results. I guess persistence pays off.
Once the applications are out, I don't worry about them too much and crawl back into the magic realm of the studio. 

Right Brain Screams!

All the time I spend looking at calendars and filling out applications, my right brain is flying about...sometimes an endless glide over a canyon or an ocean, sometimes a frenzied bouncing like a pinball. Eventually, I have to release the unruly beast and get back in the studio. 
Entre Viento y Sol
This year I have some unfinished business with the desert, a set of 8 blocks that have been drawn for years are now, almost embarrassingly demanding my attention. Dutifully, I will carve. 
I am also feeling drawn to the figures in nature series again, with my figures reduced to tiny proportions surrendering humbly to the awe of Mother Nature. 
Fool on the Hill
Aside from that, planning what art I will feel like making next month is like planning to fall in love--just doesn't happen that way. Art, like love, just appears and flourishes at the will of some unknown and irrepressible force. I just let it take me.


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1000woodcuts Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/1000woodcuts 
Maria's Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/maria.arango.diener 
Maria's Twitter Profile: https://twitter.com/1000woodcuts 
1000woodcuts YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1000woodcuts/videos