Sunday 8 January 2017

A baker’s dozen for 2017?

After faffing around trying to work out what I wanted to do next I have come to the conclusion that I work best with deadlines and a brief.

In the past I have thought about trying to joining various drawing ‘a drawing a day for a year’ type projects but I know that I’d probably fail a daily commitment within the first few weeks. So I have decided to set my own challenge and try to produce a print and a book each month. They will probably be a mixture of polished work (finished, editioned and ready to go – for sale, exhibition or swop) and more experimental bits and pieces (exploring techniques and structures that have grabbed me).

I’m going to record the finished prints and books at http://bakersdozenbooksandprints.weebly.com  as well as on the blog so it will be more obvious if I one miss out. I might need that impetus in busy months. 

Yes, I know that there are only 12 months in the year, but although this week I managed to finish a book edition and produce a print, the work for both of these was started in 2016 and it seemed like cheating to use them as January’s response .

I started this print to carry on exploring the textures and mark making I can achieve using copper sulphate and aluminium. I’m happy with the textures on the stonework now I want to try and apply it to a more interesting image.

Fairy Tales which is my contribution to Endings and Beginnings is finally finished, printed in three different colours. I’m not sure that I’d use the floating panel structure again in a hurry, but I think that in combination with the text it worked for this book.





Now to think about January’s book and print!

8 comments:

  1. Hi Jac,
    Your book for January’s collab looks great ! Sorry for not participating but I’ve been too overbooked ! I hope i’ll be able to be in the next one.
    Best wishes for 2017,
    Martine

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  2. Jac, I think you are right about deadlines to work towards. I find myself busiest when I need to deliver something I've promised so I get your thinking completely. Good luck with the deadlines. I am teaching the split panel structure in March so may I use a photo of your book as an example of how it can work? Let me know via a reply and I'll check back here next time to find out.

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    1. Of course you can use a photo, I'm flattered that you want to, I'll be interested to see what your class produce

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  3. Looking very much forward - i have to find out how many participants we are to this collaboration...

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  4. I completely agree how much a deadline focuses the mind and increases productivity - but also oftentimes creativity as you don't drift you really push ideas. I like you personal challenge and I think it's smart to do books for sale/swap but also allow yourself to explore structures and ideas that grab you - brilliant! looking forward to wherever it takes you- enjoy!

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    1. I think allowing experiments may be a cop out but on very busy months it does give me a bit of leeway

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