I already blogged about Etching on Tuesday.
Wednesday was Screen printing. While most classes are 2.5 hours this was 10-4. And i was tired by lunch time. Another nice teacher. More complex machinery than when i did it at Mary Ward centre where we used a 150W bulb and our watches for timing, to react the photo emulsion. Here its a huge machine that sucks out all the air and times the whole thing. Iprefer light bulb as is something that can be set up at home.
Thursday was picture framing. Hysterical. Chaotic. Teacher is italian in about his 80s. While he is trying to give us an intro talk, his advanced pupils, mostly middle aged women who have been with him for 20yrs, were talking loudly right near us. We all kept looking at each other wondering when he would tell them to shut up. It didnt seem to worry him. Finally he saw our looks and told them to keep quiet. I have had classes like this before. A talented ecentric. You dont learn quickly, just a few gems per class. We sawed a piece of wood in mitre saw and then used planer with a leaver action to smooth it. Class was 2.5 hrs. Sawing took 5 mins. Intro talk took 20mins. Then he looked at artworks bought in and suggested type of frame - he had some lovely ideas which is what i want - color combinations, proportions, styles, methods and hopefully how to cut mounting card. I hadnt taken anything as i didnt know to. Then he disappeared so we drifted out during the last hour. He told us where to get wood for next week. Its at a huge place near me so i will go check it out tomorrow. They are suppose to be very rude. I will get cheapest, plain wood for a little drawing. Keep it simple. Then i will go onto 2 canvases i have that need framing. Most of equipment is cheapish and at B&Q. I may not make my frames in ghe end, but i want ideas. I have quite a few old frames and need to cut mount cards to make them fit pictures.
Frid. Was my usual life drawing.
Homework. I now have to draw on etching panel, get drawings read to fill 2 screen prints and get wood for framing. Exhausted just thinking about it. Did bit yesterday but was still getting over stiffness from the week. It is too much but only 6 more weeks when etching finishes, then another 3 before its all over so will try to keep all classes going. At least i am doing more art which feels good.
I want your art life!
ReplyDeleteI will of course be expecting you to post screens to me!!! I have yet to start on my home made ones, but now my table is finally set up, that is my new project. I also have Thermofax screens, which are quite the rage in my field. I have never even considered making photo sensitive ones, but I saw some examples on You Tube of work stations set up, with little dark rooms underneath them, that you could make yourself. Interesting. I'd love to know more about how you make your screens.
I too have done a class on framing, whilst in Africa. Ours however, was held in someone's home and was the matting process. I have the tools to do it, and the clamps for the frame making. We never got around to making the actual frame, and I soon realised that thought this was fun, most of our artwork was already framed, so I would never use these skills. A couple of weeks ago, I offered up my equipment, that I have dragged around the world to a friend, who like you is an artist, so has plenty of use for the stuff.
Regarding the teacher, that drives me mad when they don't control the class. Maybe you need to say something. Nothing worse than being excited about a class and getting it ruined by a few disruptive people.
I can't wait to see what you end up with from all these classes!