Last year I took part in my first Open Studios here in Jersey. It was a great event and after an introductory exhibition where all the artists showed one piece, I was very thrilled that people actually came to visit. Not just very supportive friends but complete strangers who actually bought my work!! Here are three pieces from that show. Unfortunately, in my over excitement I forgot to photograph the finished pieces which I had mounted on different collaged backgrounds.

"Girlie goose ready for a little retail therapy" was backed by till receipts.

"Salty bird waiting for a high tide" (tides are a big part of Jersey life!) was backed with local tide tables.

"City pigeon ready for a night out on the town" was backed by birds' lonely hearts columns which I had great fun writing (and I learned a lot about birds!) 

I realised in retrospect that this harked back many, many years to when I hand made, painted and collaged all the frames for the etchings in my degree show.

Artist's proof. This is one of a big series of linocuts Ive been working on. The series is called "Deceptive Appearances".

This one turned out quite well although I'm having problems with registration. I've tried rolling the two lino sheets through the press in the same direction and I've tried using mounting card to stop the lino moving with mixed results. I'm wondering if maybe loosening the pressure might work. The background texture is made using caustic soda and wire brush. Steve Edwards who uses caustic soda, very kindly gave me some advice as I was having problems with it. I think the face that I was using floor lino instead of art lino might have something to do with it. One good thing is that I now know that if I spill caustic soda on my studio floor, it's unlikely to damage it as long as I mop it up within a few hours!!!

Welcome to my new blog

I have recently built a studio; a room all of my own away from the 6 adorable men in my life. So far I have collected; 1 husband, 4 sons, 1 dog. My only female ally is lonely Peggy Sue, the last of the hens. (R.I.P. Babs, Dolly, Tammy, Specky, Flo with the 'fro and Queen Latifah).
So, my aim is to improve myself, mostly as an artist printmaker but also as a teacher and a student of all things technologically scary.
Today has been a great day. Not only did I get published in the Saturday Guardian colour supplement, flagging up the inspiring Linocut Boy's blog but also, was then thanked on aforementioned blog! This has inspired me to attempt a wrestle with my arch rival: technology. I'm quite pleased that I've got this far with blogging...it's been a struggle....pathetic isn't it. Tomorrow I aim to attempt uploading photos.