Beach Creativity is a good theme for all artists. For me this is going to the beach for a week in the hot summer days of Sedona, AZ. Here I am in California, mesmerized by the hypnotic quality of the endless waves. They start way out under the sea, then crash in by the shore, engaging all my senses.
You see it. You can smell it, and certainly you can watch it endlessly.
It is also finding the perfect wave, and riding into shore on my trusty boogie board. Hopefully I don't wipe out too badly, step on a sting ray, or swallow the ocean. Then it is a good run.
Why do I call it Beach creativity? For one thing, you focus on the "now" right in front of you, as you must when starting into your creative work. Also, I think we all need a break, a vacation from living in our minds. These sights and sounds often help forget all the " shoulds " we tell ourselves to be doing. We are only present in the nature before us.
And finally there seems to be clearing of the mind , a readiness to go on, when this beach is only a memory. Is there inspiration drifting in my mind as I return to my ceramics or calligraphy ? I hope so.
Here is my first experience making a mono print.
The initial step is spreading colored inks onto a mylar surface, using a hand roller. This is Akua ink, with a soybean base, which comes in many colors. I chose my favorite dark red, purple palate. Since I was at a print maker's studio, there were lots of stencils and objects to use as texture. I chose this nautilus stencil, and added some string for further random effects.The final paper is put over this surface; covered with protective paper, then felt, and set on the press surface.
Next the press is turned on, and the weight of the wheel presses down into the paper as it rolls along. It was a 1950's Dickerson Combination Press which worked great, et voila, this finished page.
I used print paper for this, after soaking it beforehand. However for this final page, I took rice paper , and got a second," ghost" print of the same image.Two views of the same process.
It was a great experience. While I have no immediate plans for this paper, I am sure it will be used in a future piece of calligraphy, or maybe a hand made book. Create now so the inspiration is before us!
