Printmaking at the Art Museum

I totally forgot that I had attended a printmaking class at Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art last Thursday.

It was part of their Spring Semester of free classes and happened to be the last class of the semester.


It was such a fun event to go to.  I love art museums, well museums in general.  The instructor of the course is actually an art professor at Auburn University.  He also had two of his pupils in there assisting the class.

 

 (photo source)

First, he schooled us on the history of printmaking.  Secondly, he explained to us the materials that went into the process.  Then, he roughly demonstrated the process.  After all was said and done, he released us to create our own bits of art.

It was so interesting to watch such an antiquated art form that has barely changed over the centuries be performed virtually the same way that it always has been.  I'm also glad that we didn't have to do any of the inking with the oil-based ink (whew!). 


This is my own personal work.  We used thin pieces of aluminum or tin to etch our drawings into.  I have an affinity for drawing eyes and faces.  If I can't think of anything else to draw, I will start sketching faces.  I love the detail and expression you can have with portraits.  I'm not super crazy about much of anything else.  I couldn't think of anything to etch, so I just went for what I knew.

When I was waiting to get my block inked, a few ladies asked if I was an artist.  I don't really consider myself an artist.  I just like to draw and design.  I've had enough formal training for it, so I guess I could be considered as one.  The thing is most of my friends are extremely good at drawing and painting, and we don't really formally call each other artists.  So needless to say, I replied that I dabble in drawing, nothing serious.

The next semester they offer these classes I am definitely going to keep my eyes peeled so that I may sign up.  I somehow always tend to miss the line up when it comes out. 

Err.., Happy New Year!

Hi gang! It's been a little space of time. I have been meaning to blog more frequently over this past month, but you know how the holidays can be.  All that's important is that we are here now! So how has 2013 been for you so far? I hope great.

I have been busy. If you follow me on Instagram, then you will have seen the bags and drawings that I have been working on.  I have started on some hand-lettered scripture drawings that correlate with my daily devotions.

Psalm 16:10

Psalm 91:2

2 Corinthians 12:9

John 14:6

Matthew 6:33

Hebrews 13:5

Hebrews 11:1

Jeremiah 29:11

Keeping this journal helps me in many ways: 1) helps break down the scripture in my words, 2) helps me get a better understanding of the Word, 3) helps me remember what I read, 4) reiterates God's love for me, 5) pushes my creativity, and 6) helps spread the message to others (since I post them on Instagram.) They also help to calm my spirit; I notice after I feel stressed out, I immediately want to read the Bible and do some hand-lettering.

I have also been sewing some, mostly bags though I do have some clothing wips. I have to be in the mood for clothes-making. And since I am one that hates trying on clothing, I oftentimes save clothes for the very last.

outside

inside

I made a faux leather and vintage canvas clutch. I got the idea from a good friend of mine, who said that she wanted me to make her an envelope clutch.  This was a prototype for what I'm going to make her. She wants a large one, and this little baby here would probably only hold a wallet, phone, keys, and some other small items (not that you would ever need room for much more.)  I added a little zippered inside pocket just to hold some other little items that might need to be protected.  I also attached a snap closure.  I rarely add magnetic snaps to bags because I have a fear of magnets erasing all the data out of any of my electronic devices, and we just can't have that type of chaos happen.

 

                                    

This little box bag is for my swap partner on swap-bot.  I believe it is for Sew a Pouch swap.  I lined it with a sunshine yellow and white zigzag fabric and quilted it with the same zigzag pattern.  It has a reversible zipper on it.  I just love these colors and fabrics together. I sure hope my partner can use it.

I've been working on some phone clutches as well. This idea stemmed from a phone holder that I saw at Target that really piqued my interest.  So I sought out a plan of attack to execute this design I had brewing in my head.  This is something that I needed a long time ago because I hate having my phone in places that aren't easily accessible (i.e. zipped up in a purse some place.)  It fits down in the outer pocket and is held in tact by a snap fastener while your essentials fit into the zippered compartment and your keys attach to the key fob/handle.  I have more prints and colors coming up that will be available soon.

Speaking of clothing, I made my junior some pajamas to match the vintage sheet pajamas I made for myself. I used the same pattern but a different colorway.  I also stitched some pockets onto pocket-less American Apparel tees using the pajama fabric and embroidered our monograms onto them.



Lastly, I'm going to show you guys some artwork that I did years ago.  I'm trying to get back into sketching and drawing because my mom has said if I don't use it, I'll surely lose it.  Besides I really want to do a portrait of my daughter soon.

pencil

charcoal

pen and ink (pointilism)

painting (watercolor)

Oh yeah! Side note:  Whilst perusing instagram for fabric ideas, I came across a lovely photo of jersey fabric some had taken.  Her caption had mentioned that she had picked up the four fabrics from her Wal-Mart for a buck a yard.  Since my Wal-Mart still carries fabric, I made it an immediate point to head to it as soon as possible, which was early the next morning. (BTW I rarely even step foot into Wal-Mart.  I only make the trip about once, maybe twice, a year and it's only for fabric on top of that.)

                                     
I brought home 9 yards of 7 fabrics for 12 dollars total. All but one of the fabrics were $1 per yard.  Only the jersey with hearts on it was $2 a yard.  The blue and orange striped fabric on the end is the same as a fabric at Hobby Lobby that is $7.99 a yard.  As much as I abhor Wal-Mart, I will go in there for the jersey fabric especially when I'm running low on it.