This is where I work, the day job, Fine Art Technician, Print Room at the Faculty of Art at our local College. I work three days a week, very full on, long days. Since I have been based in here, I have learnt a few new printing techniques. One of which has been Screen Printing. I have always wanted to Screen Print and when I started this job, a few months ago, it seemed like a huge mountain to climb, but now I have mastered it, I wonder what I was worried about.
Here are a few Screen Prints, that I have made recently.....
this was on brown paper with emulsion paint very thickly applied.
Two colour print. The blue area are actual spring flowers and a bead necklace, I placed on the light sensitive unit to burn the screen. So now I can enjoy Cow Parsley and Lily of the Valley all year!
Another butterfly, in a sketch book.
Not a screen print, just a drawing from the sketch book. I have a box of decaying pinned butterflies and bugs from the early 1900's in my studio, the family won't have it in the house (strangely enough). I think it's beautiful and have used it as the basis for work in this particular sketch book.
More texture...
The same again with the actual flowers...Buttercups and Cow Parsley screen printed onto a greetings card.
~0~
Here are a few Screen Prints, that I have made recently.....this was on brown paper with emulsion paint very thickly applied.
Two colour print. The blue area are actual spring flowers and a bead necklace, I placed on the light sensitive unit to burn the screen. So now I can enjoy Cow Parsley and Lily of the Valley all year!
Another butterfly, in a sketch book.
Not a screen print, just a drawing from the sketch book. I have a box of decaying pinned butterflies and bugs from the early 1900's in my studio, the family won't have it in the house (strangely enough). I think it's beautiful and have used it as the basis for work in this particular sketch book.
More texture...
The same again with the actual flowers...Buttercups and Cow Parsley screen printed onto a greetings card. ~0~
I made this today. The purse is made of vintage Ticking, with a Cornish theme! I have had Cornwall on my mind quite a bit just lately and hope to visit very soon.
Reverse...
Onto a bit of a Hen's Teeth challenge. I have never put a zip in anything...ever. So like screen printing, it had become a big deal and something I thought I would be never be able accomplish???? (What a sad so and so). Coin Purse frames are hellishly expensive and just for a change too, I thought I ought to conquer my fear of ...de de der....THE ZIP INSERTION. Thank goodness for those kind bloggers out there, that put free tutorials up. With my tongue firmly stuck out and eye brows meeting in the middle, I did manage the 'insertion' with out too much angst and felt really very pleased with myself, I must say ;-)
Reverse...
Onto a bit of a Hen's Teeth challenge. I have never put a zip in anything...ever. So like screen printing, it had become a big deal and something I thought I would be never be able accomplish???? (What a sad so and so). Coin Purse frames are hellishly expensive and just for a change too, I thought I ought to conquer my fear of ...de de der....THE ZIP INSERTION. Thank goodness for those kind bloggers out there, that put free tutorials up. With my tongue firmly stuck out and eye brows meeting in the middle, I did manage the 'insertion' with out too much angst and felt really very pleased with myself, I must say ;-)I have a bit of tweeking to do to the design of the purse. This is quite large nearly 9 x 6" and I think I shall try and make it flat bottomed but generally not bad for a first try. Hark at me, smug so and so!
All comes down to being able to sew in a straight line, which I find almost impossible.
Well, that's me for now. Thank you so much to everyone for stopping by and to those that have left kind comments and everyone with a noreply e mail, as I have not been able to thank you personally. x
All comes down to being able to sew in a straight line, which I find almost impossible.
Well, that's me for now. Thank you so much to everyone for stopping by and to those that have left kind comments and everyone with a noreply e mail, as I have not been able to thank you personally. x
The Cornish purse is beautiful and your printing is superb. I haven't done any proper printing for yonks..the school screens are so bunged up and old they're next to unless so we end up doing a fair bit of mono instead with the kids. I did etching ages ago, which was great fun. Well done with the 'insertion!'
ReplyDeleteOh... such a lot to feast the eyes upon and satisfy the soul..
ReplyDeleteI have a yearning to learn screen printing.. having flirted with it years ago and seeing your wonderful accomplishments.. I am more determined now..
As for zips... I am good at breaking them but not replacing them!
I know this is most unhelpful Viv.. but I much prefer your clasp purses.. they remind me of my mum..
and are so beautifully designed..
Cornwall is much on my mind too!
Michele xx
Zips!!!! Yikes, my worst nightmare. I can only do flat ones and not very well either. You have done good!
ReplyDeleteI contacted cowboys and custard, apparently there is a waiting list but at least I am on it.
I love your work. If I lived closer I'd be persuading you to run a workshop so that I could make my very own purse! We met briefly at the V&H fair where, I think I bought a tablecloth from you. I will be following your blog now to see what future goodies you share with us. X Lesley
ReplyDeleteI used to screen print years ago and your post has got me all nostalgic - especially as one of my great regrets was not going for the print technician's job when I left art college! What a great environment to experiment in and I love the brown butterfly print.
ReplyDeletethe flower and bird print is breathaking! Just beauty in simplicity. When I was at art colege I never ever got to grips with printing - too indirect - the only one I loved was monoprinting - but I think that was because it's so direct.... an messy! I loved anything messy!! t.x
ReplyDeleteBravo! I adore all of what you have shared!
ReplyDeleteI also have a fear of screen printing... something I want to learn but make many excuses as to why I can't, and as for zippers... I finally conquered my fear just a few months ago. I watched my daughter make a pair of shorts... she took out the zipper in an old pair of jeans and sewed it into her new shorts... and it all looked great. Seeing that she was just 14 and taught herself, I really had to question why I thought I couldn't do it. Afterwards I was shocked at how easy it was. What a lot of wasted time i spent being afraid! Now maybe, thanks to you, I will attempt screen printing... maybe!
it is truly amazing the things we can talk ourselves into being overwhelmed by~!!!~ your screenprinting looks wonderful and the zipper seems very well done~!~
ReplyDeletefor me, it is currently the fear of installing a photoshop elements program on my computer and using it . . . as much as i want to see what wonderful creative and fun things that i could do with my photos, i still haven't bitten off quite enough courage to give it a go . . .
seeing that others have similar worries and have overcome them is very inspiring . . . i think i can, i think i can, i think i can . . .
;-)
libbyQ
Love your screen prints Viv...and your cornish-themed purse - it's very cornish! Well done for conquering the zip fear too.
ReplyDeletemany congrats... i have a terrible fear of zips - i am not quite ready to face mine yet!
ReplyDeletelove, love love your new Cornish inspired purse
t x
You are sooo talented Viv!
ReplyDeleteI hope to one day try my hand at screen prints. Your zipper is great and you will surely do more in this style, I'm think'n you shall. Thanks for sharing how brave you are and the wonderful art that resulted. (I love lurking on your blog!)
ReplyDeletewhat a delightful post, I think my chin is still resting on my keyboard at the sight of 'Cornwall' and here was you thinking we were getting bored with your purses and you go and come up with a delight like that!! fabulous. As for the purses, I have about 30 zips I bought discount in the UK last time to make the very same thing, oddly enough they're still in the cupboard and the fabric has been used as a table cloth!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think the things you make are beautiful and very original, I do have a problem with cutting up old or "vintage" things - be they letters or embroideries. It destroys the legacy of the past and is I feel very sad. It also discourages the gaining of some of these skills for our selves - such as embroidery, (which I know you yourself do beautifully, but others do not). Letters I think should be left for posterity in their entirety instead of reduced to tantalising little snippets. Art at the cost of social history, historical accuracy and integrity; what a shame! Never mind the copyright issues of the artist today - what about the rights of those now gone to have their work remain as it was left to us? In a hundred years time this destruction will I think, rightly be seen as a travesty
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work again! Do you happen to know which zip tutorial you used and was it any good? I hand sew my zips in for my chickens and it takes a while!! I'm looking for a decent tutorial for inserting zips so any advice would be gratefully received!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see your prints and sketchbook Viv.
ReplyDeleteOoh you lucky thing. I have wanted to do screen printing for ages. These prints are lovely. Well done!
ReplyDeleteAll your artwork is lovely & of course your purses are fabulous...must say that I do like the clasps though....
ReplyDeleteScreen printing looks like a lot of fun.
Jayne
Screen printing scares me too. But I can confront a zip...
ReplyDeleteYour work is so lovely Viv. By adding these otherwise overlooked fragments to your work you are preserving them and making us aware of their beauty. So much of this stuff gets burnt or thrown away.
Right so if Holly's now 18 and moved out can I come and live you? x;0)
ReplyDelete(I'm no trouble and you could take me to work/Bruge n everythin!)
Top zipperin' missus!
x;0)
These are beautiful!!! I especially like the one with the zipper and you did a fabulous job of installing it!
ReplyDeleteLove the Cornish purse, truly beautiful! Thank you for visiting my blog.. yes, the hands are in need of a rest after all that Handwashing last week.... phew. Lizzie xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic ,creative place to work.
ReplyDeleteYour prints are wonderful.x
Really like your screen printing Viv. I'm a big fan of printing too, but don't get the opportunity to do so very often(plus only know the absolute basics)really envy you your technician's job in the printmaking department! BFN. Lesley
ReplyDeleteLoving the ticking stripes purse - well I would wouldn't I? Love your work as ever.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you were successful with that zipper. I know the feeling that is one reason I quit sewing clothes was the zipper and buttonholes it was too much!
ReplyDeleteEverything is lovely...I like to imagine you in your workplace now...the purses.... as always beautiful....you are clever...cant leave a long one off to work...7am!!
ReplyDeleteI think you have breathed life in to your creations and Anonymous has a point but you have given these materials new purpose and that should be applauded.. not criticised!
ReplyDeleteHi Viv!
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with anonymous.
I chop up vintage embroideries quite frequently! The way that I see it is that the vintage work will live on and give pleasure to many,rather than be thrown away in a bin,perhaps because a tablecloth or napkins have become too tatty.
I am still preserving the 'art'.
I reckon that if the original artists were still alive they would be delighted that someone has been so ingenius and improvised with their work.
It's called imagination...and sadly that is lacking with many people.
I love your work..such talent!
;-)
Fantastic work Viv! Think i need a refresher course in silkscreen, haven't had the opportunity for years, perhaps when I get back to the UK, UWE Bristol do great summer schools in this, for anyone interested.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh about the zip, it's those of us that are taught the 'arty farty' techniques first at art school that have fear of the practicalities of sewing, lol.
I have never attempted the dreaded zip either, but can free stitch [draw with the needle] like a dream!
Good to see those beautiful prints you've made, love them. X
Me again,
ReplyDeleteHave just seen the comment from anonymous and completely disagree with this.
I also recycle and use as much old materials, including ephemera as i can, I see this as recognizing the skills and creativity of a bygone age and by combining parts in my work, can produce something from pieces that would have been thrown away, whilst helping protect the planet by re-using.
I agree that if a document is a significant historical one or written by a significant person in history then it should be preserved and most of these are, in museums!
This is not the case for the most part and if it wasn't for Artists around the world, now embracing
recycling, many more thousands of things would be discarded.
My father works in a Bric-a brac shop and he says all of the ephemera and many damaged textiles are thrown away when house clearances come in, as no-one wants them.
Keep up the good work Viv x
Really beautiful stuff !
ReplyDeleteOh my god, how come I missed this post in my list, your screen prints, sketchbook and drawings are fantastic and I lurrrve the Cornish purse. What part of Cornwall are you going to? Hope you have a fab time and well done for the zip thing! There will be no stopping you now .....
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Viv - are you doing Jane and Christine's Fair?
ReplyDeleteSue x
I "do" traditional embroidery and have often wondered what will become of it once I shuffle off the mortal coil. I greatly value the pieces my grandmother left behind. However, my children would not value mine, (embroidery is not their "thing"), so I love the fact that people like you and Sal of Sal's Snippets take pieces and rework them. x
ReplyDeleteSo much to devour in this post...just lovely! And as for the zip insertion...I bow to your superiority! :)
ReplyDeleteLoving your screen prints Viv, and especially like that picture taken against the brown paper. Inspired.
ReplyDeleteIF my embroideries make it down the generations for the next 100 years, I can think of nothing nicer than some creative person getting hold of them and reworking them into their own original ideas. Especially, dear Viv, if they are someone as talented as you! There is enough ephemera in the world for everyone to have their share! How sad that anonymous did not feel able to make their comments openly - thereby taking a more meaningful part in your lovely blog - which is a part of the social history of the future! t.x
ReplyDeleteFascinating screen prints. It is something that I would like to try.
ReplyDeleteThe purse is inspirational and I am sure will bring back many happy memories to others.
Long may you continue to give life to items that may have become unwanted or unloved.
Hi Viv, would like to comment on ANONYMOUS. OK if you were cutting up a really important historical piece of embroidery or a letter or postcard that again was of great historical value we would probably all be up in arms. BUT all you and many others do is take little pieces of very domestic snippets and turn them into wonderful treasures that can be enjoyed. I should think that all these bits of ephemera being used by artists today would end up in the bin or just stay hidden in dusty corners where no one would know of their existence anyway. Good for us artists for bringing the past into the present and maybe making people a bit more aware of our ancestors daily lives. Keep on doing what you are doing Jane xxxxx
ReplyDeleteHi Viv,
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the Portscatho fair now as its in our holidays so I'll see you there!
What an incredibly cool place to work. You lucky ducky :)
ReplyDeleteI adore the clutch purse and agree with those who prefer the clutch to the zip!
ReplyDeleteYour purse is beautiful! I'm rather envious of your access to a printmaking studio. Looking back I think I ought to have chosen printmaking instead of painting for my degree. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI love your butterfly prints, very evocative and the textures in them are quite intriguing
ReplyDelete