Shine Bright and Fast

I'm a list maker, that's how I manage to keep everything straight. But sometimes I rebel and go completely off script, which is what happened last week. I got the unofficial word that I get to be part of a show with two other fantastic artists in a bit over a year. I abandoned all the art projects that need to get done and instead started something new that is in the spirit of the show that we will be having. I'll share more about that another time, but for now I wanted to show how this experiment turned out.

I had a stack of 8 blocks cut the same size that were left over from trimming the lino blocks for my picture book spreads. So I was thinking of using them somehow and decided to do a series of diptychs. I want to create a bunch of watery images and other things that flow and swoop and travel, so I started with stars- or maybe a shooting star or comet? I didn't think too much about it, just drew directly on the blocks which was really refreshing after doing so many detailed, thoroughly planned images.

During the process of carving the blocks I started to realize that having a break in the middle of the image wasn't really going to look good or make sense. I hadn't designed an image that used the break and made it necessary. I had drawn something that didn't want to be interrupted. Oh well, so much for not planning or doing sketches first! I tried printing it with the break and without, and the uninterrupted print was definitely the way to go.

The paper I used was Somerset Black printmaking paper, it's very thick, rich, and a little textured. The white ink sits on it a little inconsistently, giving it a blotchy look. But I like the variations in the color of the lines and I think it adds to the movement and interest.

So, the only other thing to solve is the title. I normally have everything planned before I begin, but I was doing lots of experiments and being pretty loose with this print, so now I'm trying to figure out the title. I'm leaning toward Shine Bright and Fast. But there are others I've considered. If you have a favorite or can think of something different, share it in the comments!

Shine Bright and Fast
Shine Brightly in the Dark
Shine On
Light the Way
Starbright

To the Ocean

The next spread for Our Home is done!! Yay! and whew.....

There are lots of process photos on the blog I created for this book. Please check it out and sign up with your email. I'm going to be giving away the Owl letterpress postcards I create this weekend to subscribers of Our Home. See you over there!! xo