Receiving
the large parcel containing the new Artistcellar Halftone Dots stencils and Yasutomo Mineral Paper was a sweet homecoming. From art school to the present, my life
has been all about printing. The passion
I felt in the printmaking studio for etching and lithography effortlessly gave
way to screen printing, and then segued into the digital field of publication
printing and advertising. Forever chasing perfect registration, the dots are
friends who at times can be mischievous, but never dull, dancing on a variety
of papers like moonbeams slipping across silk.
For someone
who loves paper as much as I do, the Mineral Paper was certainly a delight.
Made from rocks it has a beautifully smooth texture. Wet or dry media are
equally at home on the brilliant white surface.
It’s also no
secret that I adore vintage images. From the 1880’s through to Mid-Century
modern, the photos are the stuff of dreams for a collage artist. Who are the people in the photos? What were
their lives like? What is their story?
My Muse prompted me to use
a photo I have been saving for just the right project. The woman in her blue
suit, white hat and bouquet of flowers radiated the Mad Men era which I thought
a perfect framework for the new stencils. I couldn’t help but imagine her
world. Could she be a Mad Woman? What was it like to be in advertising in the
1960’s? Was she waiting to start a conversation? Or was she the person to
change it?
I set out to work with
ink, watercolour, and acrylic paints. Below you will see just a few of my
combinations using the paints with a brush, a sponge, and my fingers.
The Mineral Paper
performed perfectly. The smooth surface enhanced the stenciling. I normally
work on a very heavy paper or illustration board. The Mineral Paper will now be
my go to substrate. I love it! When dry,
it was as flat as when I started and my colours just as vibrant. It made
scanning so much easier. I finished the piece, “Five O’clock World”, as a
digital file. Finding inspiration in the Op Art of the era, I layered my
stencils to fit neatly within the clouds surrounding the woman.
YOU can be the one to win a set of Halftone Dots stencils, just by
leaving a comment on the Artistcellar Blog! A random lucky winner will be picked May 11th. If you
can't wait and want a set of these Halftone Dots stencils NOW... you
can substitute any other set of Artistcellar stencils if you win. Also
check out the rest of the design teams post, every one of us is giving
away a free set!
Are you captivated by
circles and dots? The Halftone Dots Series can be used in so many
ways...conventionally and digitally. And the Mineral Paper is the perfect
complement. In collage or journaling the pairing is the ultimate match that
will easily allow you to express your thoughts.
After all, you can be the one to change the conversation.
