I thought I'd show you my progress (I've also been posting it to my blog). I too, decided to start with Peace. There were so many possibilities. I started by doodling in my notebook.
I liked the idea of the letter forms becoming birds...in some cases doves. I envision that in most of the designs, the birds will be doing something towards peace (symbolized by the Peace sign...which I always think of as a dove's foot). In the final format, I will write something active about Peace such as Aspiring towards Peace; Believing in Peace etc.
Since I do a lot of hand printing on fabric, I decided to turn the designs into block prints. I made enlarged tracings of my initial doodles and transferred them onto Speedball Speedy Carve blocks which I carved with a linoleum carving tool. I had some fun making textured and patterned backgrounds.
I had a lot of ideas for how I wanted to use the blocks and have finally found my way after testing them on a piece of color-washed fabric.
I may change the color of the fabric paint a bit and will add some spots of color with stitched details.
I'm not exactly sure of the format yet...but am thinking about a series of small Peace flags.
The whole process looks so lovely, thanks for sharing it here with us Julie! Those bird/letter-forms are exciting and the bar is being set higher and higher.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ersi. I just wanted to tell you that I love your sketchbook! Not to advise people to take pain killers to produce something wonderful...but it is just wonderful! Looking forward to your alphabets.
DeleteA delightful solution which should look beautifully bold as flags. I think the colours are lovely too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olga. It's funny, but until I did the test prints on the blue color-washed fabric, I wasn't really sure what I was going to do. Suddenly, it all fell into place!
DeleteThese are amazing, Julie! And I love the fact that you'll be able to make multiples with your blocks...it opens up so many possibilities. As Ersi says, the bar is being set higher and higher!
ReplyDeletej'adore l'idée de travailler avec la linogravure et le résultat est très poétique...
ReplyDeleteWow! So much work put in on each letter. It will be nice to have them to use again and again! Nice that you can use different colors and on various backgrounds (paper, fabric, etc.) as the need arises! I've always liked the "roughness" of a linoleum print - I think that look lends itself really well to the theme! Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteLino bocks take a lot of time and care, so it is nice to have them for re use. I can see many future card and material possabilities for your lovely blocks.
ReplyDeleteI really love these prints and the way you are finding birds within the letters - very clever! The birds also have interesting looks on their faces - calm but interested...
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the comments so far and all I can add, is to say how very much I am enjoying your creativity, Julie.
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