Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Puzzle Progress: The Nature of Humans

The Nature of Humans

Links

https://1000woodcuts.blogspot.com/p/humannature-sign-up.html

SECURE WEB LINKS FOR PARTICIPATION COSTS

(or wait after signup for invoice/link):

https://1000woodcuts.com/collections/human-nature-woodcut-puzzle-print?sort_by=created-ascending

INFO:

https://1000woodcuts.blogspot.com/p/humannature.html

and

https://www.facebook.com/groups/puzzlewoodcutprints

As sketching progresses I am mindful of all the "requirements" for the background image in one of these puzzle projects.

1. The background image is merely a matrix for holding the images/ideas/concepts/interpretations of each individual participants and must remain just that: a humble and semi-transparent yet unifying background.

2. Size-wise, it will be rather large and sized according to paper (panel) size.

3. Although hinting at the theme, it must not superimpose itself to the detailed "puzzle pieces" but point to them; lure the viewer to the details as well as "hold up" on its own from a distance.

4. Large forms must be divisible into logical (or somewhat) puzzle pieces to accommodate individual contributions.

So far here is the image. I toyed with adding elements of nature like branches and leaves perhaps but thought that, in my interpretation, the design should be empty so that the artist contributors will define human nature in 60 different ways.

I left the background as bare earth in topographic rendering, bare human figures empty of everything and awaiting YOUR input.

Once transferred to big pieces of wood and carved, the design, like human nature, will change again. The individual contributions bring it to life!

Human.Nature. latest background image
Size approximately 40" x 52" (102 x 132 cm)
Small divisions within the figures represent roughly
the size, location and relationship of participant puzzle pieces

Stay in touch!

1000woodcuts Website: https://1000woodcuts.com
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

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Puzzle#7: And so it begins...

Human.Nature.

Three days after I opened sign up and already a baker's dozen participants (that's 13). Confidently, I proceed to sketching. First, here is the info on the project:

Links

https://1000woodcuts.blogspot.com/p/humannature-sign-up.html

SECURE WEB LINKS FOR PARTICIPATION COSTS

(or wait after signup for invoice/link):

https://1000woodcuts.com/collections/human-nature-woodcut-puzzle-print?sort_by=created-ascending

INFO:

https://1000woodcuts.blogspot.com/p/humannature.html

and

https://www.facebook.com/groups/puzzlewoodcutprints

Sketching

I announced that the image would be based on one of my prints, eons ago produced in large format as Oculus and later a smaller version named Fragile.

Well as you may know from previous puzzles there are some requirements for the larger images that will host participants "puzzle pieces."

First the image has to be simple, much simpler. Second, it has to span the breadth of the panels. Third, it has to be divisible into tiny blocks (tiny as in 4-6 inches in diameter).

So the process of simplifying and all that proceeds and I now have a few versions to think about. I first eliminated extra "bodies" and kept the spirit of the print. Later I thicken the lines and then I darkened the background for a different look. Lastly I added some energy earth lines.

The overall size will be 40 inches x 52 inches so I have some resizing to do. But if I divide the resulting image into 4 panels (each 19x26, size of a sheet of paper) I can easily get 15 "puzzle pieces" in each. Total 60, mission accomplished!

Stay in touch!

Friday, August 12, 2022

Puzzle Project #7: Human.Nature.

SIGN UP IS OPEN! WOO HOOO!

Sign up: https://1000woodcuts.blogspot.com/p/humannature-sign-up.html

INFO:
Headquarters: https://1000woodcuts.blogspot.com/p/humannature.html

Stay in touch!

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Puzzle Print alert!

Human.Nature. https://1000woodcuts.blogspot.com/p/humannature.html

Launching another of these massive crazy projects, information page above or click on the Human.Nature. page tab on the menu (look above this post). Read all about it!

Yeah, it's about time!

Here are images of previous puzzles

100 Acts of Kindness

The Great Cairn, one panel in my studio

City of the World print and book cover

The Fantastic Garden print

Stay in touch!

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Going to a new home!

Thank you collectors

I have been lucky through the years that my artwork seems to find its way to new homes, sometimes slowly, sometimes in droves. These two just sold to someone who appreciates 25% off and apparently my figurative works! Very happy, thank you.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/1000woodcuts

Stay in touch!

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

June SALE

Only on Etsy-1000woodcuts

Link: Click the SALE, no coupons to remember, no minimum, no limit EVER!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/1000woodcuts

Stay in touch!

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Shops

Having many shops has actually worked out quite well. Let me back up...

Once upon a time in 2020 I was all ready to set up my booth in Scottsdale when the show was shut down due to COVID. Yeah, I was IN Arizona, my hotel booked and pre-paid, trailer in tow...Ah well...the whole season done, successive shows canceled in the following weeks and I had a bunch of framed and matted stuff with nowhere to sell.

The strong survive and the clever adapt. That year I signed with Sellbrite, an inventory and online listing management software. I opened my own Shopify store now residing at 1000woodcuts.com, opened an eBay store cuz I love bargaining, started selling in Amazon Handmade and Google Shopping and of course, spruced up my Etsy shop. Also have Facebook and Instagram shops although they really just direct to Shopify.

Exciting!? Confusing?! Yep!!! but somewhat successful I must say. Sellbrite makes it all very manageable although it took me until the end of 2020 to set it all up.

Just an FYI post. Here are the direct links:

Main Website: https://1000woodcuts.com

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/1000woodcuts

Amazon Handmade: http://www.amazon.com/handmade/1000woodcuts

EBay Store: https://www.ebay.com/str/1000woodcuts

Stay in touch!

Monday, November 2, 2020

Time flies! New print

Exchange time!

Another print made for an exchange among printmakers. To the uninitiated this may seem like a silly exercise, artists make prints and send them to each other. But looking closely, exchanges allow printmakers (many without websites) to send their art to 30 fellow artists and receive a neat portfolio of prints from all over the world. I personally have built an astounding collection of 2500 prints and counting and in exchange, my prints are in possession of a thousand printmakers worldwide. Wow.

Some details and info here:

https://1000woodcuts.com/collections/unique-figures/products/original-woodcut-print-liquid-glow-figure-lake-sunrise-handmade-paper

Below is my contribution to Barenforum.org Exchange #84 with some progress pictures.

And here a YouTube Video of the print making!

Print Title: Liquid Glow

Paper Dimension: 10x15 inches

Image Dimension: 8x12 inches

Block: Cherry plywood x2

Pigment or Ink: Daniel Smith oil based, Gamblin transparent base

Paper: Lotka Rust with leaf inclusions, handmade in Nepal

Edition: 100

warming light

liquid glow

a new dawn

For some reason this size paper inspires figures immersed in nature (often represented by a lone woman, go figure). Nature is my safe place, my healing light, inspiration, stress relief, pure bliss, even if only in imaginary fantasies.

I combined a puzzle cutout print, the sky, and two rainbow rolls. This combination of techniques allows me to print, with only two blocks, 5 colors and the intermediate colors of gradations, plus the paper color which I used as a midtone.

All the details: https://1000woodcuts.com/collections/unique-figures/products/original-woodcut-print-liquid-glow-figure-lake-sunrise-handmade-paper

Stay in touch!

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Update on the Kindness Puzzle

30 in 70 to go

Tiny blocks are arriving all the time now and the excitement grows in my studio, as if I needed any help! I faithfully record them as they come in and log them into my spreadsheet. Participant information entries are quietly building a book to be sent to everyone as soon as the print is done.

For those of us who don't know what I'm talking about, a puzzle print is in the works called 100 Acts of Kindness. Basically I take five huge blocks, design something, cut them up and send each participating artist a tiny block. Artists carve their block, send it back, I build the puzzle and eventually print the whole thing. Everyone gets prints back with tiny contributions from all over the world. Fun, hard work, entertaining and a great way to spend 2020!

You can follow the play by play on the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/puzzlewoodcutprints/

Here are the latest contributions:

And more

Stay in touch!

Friday, July 31, 2020

Lead Me Out and Lemonade

Conversation With a Canyon II: Lead Me Out

"So how do you like it?

Good, all good, it is very peaceful in here

Are you staying? Few wander in, you know

A little while, I brought lunch

I have water, here and there, clean and cold...

...........

What if I spend the night on that cool bed of sand

I will keep you safe, I will let in the moonlight and the moss scented winds

(to be continued)

Lead Me Out, already transferred to the color block and ready to be printed

Lemonade

When life gives you lemons...

Takes a bunch of daily exposure to keep up the online sales and I still miss the festival life and the face to face contact with customers. These days, it would be mask to mask I suppose but some of us in the "high risk" category are advised to stay away from crowds altogether so even if there WERE any festivals to go to, I would have to abstain. I tweet and post on Facebook and Instagram often, many artists do that now and it is good to see more art on those platforms. 2020 be over!!!!!!

SO! Online shops are the only thing. With the help of my friends at Google (!) I am working on improving my main website and actually I am pleased with the results both on visits and sales. One thing that I enjoy is the messaging system, I have Facebook Messenger linked to my site so many times visitors strike up a conversation and it has the "feel" of a visit to my booth.

EBay has some features that I enjoy such as the bargaining that goes along with the Best Offer feature and the back and forth of offers and counter-offers. Almost like being in the booth on a Sunday afternoon, almost!

I have had more time to finish some editions of little prints that never got done. And I am enjoying using up all the handmade paper in my flat files. My happy studio is a great place, I really like working daily on different things and there is always plenty to do. Working, for me, is bliss and I will leave you with that thought.

Stay in touch!

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Conversation With a Canyon I is done!

The Inky Stuff

Finished print I on the two-part series of canyons. Now that I'm "in" the canyon, I have to carve my way out. Here are all the printing photos of Lure Me In

Decided on the color scheme
now the real stuff, all Daniel Smith (RIP)
oil based inks

First proofs
the stripes are done a la poupee
another way of saying applied free-hand
with a tiny roller

The block inked and assembled,
ready to print

There we go, about 55 or so
paper is Rives BFK tan

Key block with all
the definition

Overprinted the key block
in umber-purple-red-more-umber

Final prints, "Lure Me In"

Stay in touch!

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Conversation With a Canyon, Lure Me In

Oh those canyons

They let you in
One of my first homage to canyons
this one in the Valley of Fire

Hiking alone sometimes results in some strange and wonderful events; as the feet trudge through rocky washes and rugged trails, the mind goes off on a fantastic journey of its own. Around these parts, there are a myriad of slot canyons, many well off the beaten path. I like to find them and then...

What are you looking at?

I'm trying to see how deep you go

Oh, I'm deep alright, why not come in and find out

(silence)

It's really cool in here and the breeze is fresh and smells like wet sandstone

Are you trying to lure me in?

Why not, what are you afraid of?

Not much out here...your eyes are staring at me, is there a way out?

The water carved me and my eyes, the wind rounded me smooth, both of them found a way in and they found a way out

just follow the water

follow the wind

then follow the light

Lure Me In

The first in the series (of two, not so ambitious!) is now carved and ready to print. Following the "color field" challenge, I decided to carve a key block first, then divide my color block into the fields of color. Not a new method with me and it was much fun to revisit my old puzzle color woodcuts.

The key block gets transferred to a single color block and that poor thing gets chopped into as many colors as I want to have in my canyon. Scroll saw in hand and a few hours and presto! I mixed inks yesterday according to my sketches more or less. Ready to print.