Callagrace's Blog

Just another WordPress.com weblog

Tag: soft ground

It’s about time!

As some people may know, I’ve recently graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. It has been such a long journey but totally worth every minute. I started my college experience at Mass Art and studied there for two years choosing Printmaking as my major in my second year, however as a new artist I just wasn’t ready to accept it as my career with everyone always asking me, “how are you gonna make any money? Where are you going to work?.” With my self-doubt leading my life I turned to my second love, figure skating, and began to study exercise and health sciences at Umass Boston. It was ok at first, but I didn’t love it. It was then that I discovered my love for skating came from the impromptu movements and choreography on the ice. After one year I switched majors yet again to liberal arts with a focus in art. This too was a learning point, I was able to work in another printmaking shop and well it honestly made me realize that if I wanted to be a printmaker why wasn’t I back at MassArt. The following year I went back at Mass Art and well it was strange going in not having had a freshman year with my fellow classmates. I always felt somewhat separate, but at least I knew I wanted to be there. The next three years there would prove to me why it was the right decision to return and between the teachers and my fellow classmates I learned more than I could have hoped for. It is definitely bittersweet leaving, since Mass Art has been such a huge part of who I have become  and who I currently am, but we are in the next chapter now. I was accepted for an artist residence opportunity at EES (Experimental Etching Studio) in Hyde Park and I’m hoping this will begin to define who I am and where I might be going! Bellow are a group of photos of my final pieces from my final semester. I loved making each and every one of these and hope you yourself enjoy them!

Second attempt at a color print…

I decided I wanted to have another go at a multiple plate print and I’m happy I did because I’ve learned a few good things. First and foremost if I ever attempt to have as many plates as I did during this project my head spins and well I can’t seem to focus on the image and instead I focus on the technique, which normally does not create an interesting image. Also, I learned that editing has become a great skill. After creating 4 plates that worked together  I always wanted to print them all, so a forewarning to you, some of these prints are busy. However, after a while I learned that in many cases less is more and hopefully this is the biggest accomplishment of this project. please let me know any thoughts or critique you have, another set of eyes is always helpful.

The color print…

Well lets just begin with saying that this project was very intimidating since I primarily feel comfort in black white and gray tones, but considering the facts I was pretty happy with the outcome. Bellow are the final print some variations and collaborations. Enjoy.

Collaboration with Chelsea and Nick

Variation with stamping

variation with stamping

variation flipped plate

color variation

color variation

final edition

The collection of prints for final review

Let me know what you think these are the prints Im using in my final review I love four of them and feel ok about the other two. I really would love some feed back so feel free to let me know what you think, which ones you like and which ones your all set with.

These are the two images I’m not so crazy about. the second print I really like how much it looks like a drawing but the image itself doesn’t feel complete.

The last print is my favorite from the semester it happened quite naturally and developed the same way my drawings would.

The printed drawing…

I guess you could say that my work as a print maker has always been to mimic the drawing and well I’m almost NEVER successful but in my most recent print I’d have to say I may have figured it out!  I was using a soft ground which has been my recent addiction and well I finally got something right. The image contains different textures which were all the product of graphite sticks and pencils. You can feel the soft point of the pencil as if it were the drawing itself. I’m not sure where the print stands if you have any opinion please let me know but I am rather happy with the outcome thus far. Enjoy.