I can't believe it's been a year since I was last at my first screenprinting workshop at Visual Asylum. I'm back at it again this Friday night for an open studio. Amy said I could use the 4-color press (AWESOME!) and so I busted out my newest design--inspired by the one and only Tim Gunn. I'm obsessed with school craft supplies and I've sketched the Elmer's glue bottle more than once. Practical, chic, fresh, timeless.
This is a little chronicle of my first attempt at silk screening. Last month I attended a workshop at Visual Asylum to create a two-color fine art print. I submitted my design in advance ("I Heart You" won over "Be Kind" on my Facebook Challenge) and the kind peeps at VA burned my screens in advance. I chose a bright, true red and a soft, dreamy blue. There was only one other student in the workshop--he chose brown and the same dreamy blue. His design went swimmingly with mine-"We all have a song" with a bird and a branch.
My very first print was PERFECT, then the blue ink got a little sticky...and, oh well, I created about 20 prints and they are full of charming little (and big flaws). It was SO great. I really loved it and can't wait to try it again. Near the end, we started to merge some of our designs and created some real gems.
Yay! I'm signed up for the silk screen course through Visual Asylum's Studioworks. My biggest challenge now is figuring out which design to print. I'm a total novice, so I didn't try anything too complex. Would love insight and feedback!
Over time I've become more fascinated with the fine art of silkscreening. For one, there is a graphic quality to the final product that thrills my heart. Two, I love the idea of creating works of art en masse (albeit by hand), making the final product available to a larger audience at an affordable price point. And finally three: paper, ink, color. It's as close to traditional print journalism as a word loving artist can get.
This love was intensified when I received an email from Visual Asylum's "Studio Works" introducing upcoming Silkscreen Workshops. I hope to attend the Fine Art Prints Workshop next Saturday. Next step...work up a two color design. Happy V-Day.
Artist: Robert Indiana