Solarplate Etching of Epworth United Methodist Church, Norfolk, Va

I see this steeple every time I drive to my art studio. I really like the architecture of the church and especially the steeple. I was inspired to do my next solarplate etching of a local steeple! My building series is coming along with No. 9. The church has been at this site since 1896 and is located in the historic Freemason district in the heart of downtown Norfolk. In 1896, the Norfolk press declared that it was "the handsomest ecclesiastical structure south of New York." I would say that's quite a compliment!

Casa Cortona Linocut

I saw this charming building in Italy a few years ago and thought it would be an interesting challenge to show all of the stonework and other details as a linocut. At first I was wondering if my patience would make it though all of the details but in the end, I was glad that it held out. I was anxious to see how it would turn out! You never know until you make a print!

It would be great to be able to see more of Italy one day😔

Zeke's Beans and Bowls Restaurant Solarplate Etching

Yes, it's another solarplate etching in my series of etchings of Norfolk, Virginia old buildings. It's a small casual restaurant on Granby Street. I do like the name! I need to go by there soon and see if I can find out a little history of the building. There's a popular French bakery across the street and a few other interesting restaurants close by. In fact Granby Street is known as "restaurant row" and the street is in the very heart of the old waterfront city of Norfolk.

Blooming Sanseveria

I was so surprised to see a bloom on my Sanseveria! It is at least 25 years old and hasn’t bloomed before now. It’s a houseplant that is considered very easy to grow in low light so it doesn’t always get the light attention that it needs. This one is near a window though. Maybe I should move it and see what happens! Flowers galore?!

Norfolk Botanical Garden - Solarplate

I've seen this building at the Norfolk Botanical Garden many times and I've always thought that it was a good fit for the garden. I was happy when they decided not to demolish and replace it. Good decision! It's an example of mid-century modern architecture and perhaps you can imagine that the roof forms are like flower petals in bloom. Hmm....give it some thought.

         

 

Twilight Solarplate Etching

I thought that an apartment building in the evening would be just the thing to do to add a little color to a solarplate etching. This is the next in my building series. It's a building in the city where my studio is located.  I struggled with the plate exposure at the beginning as it came out overexposed at the top and bottom but once I ordered a new plate and exposed it again, the problem was solved. Another mysterious problem in the world of the printmaker! 

The Old and The New

Well, it's out with the old and in with the new! A few months ago my group of five artists learned that we had to move from our present location. The building was purchased and will soon become condominiums. We worked really hard searching for a new place and found one only a few blocks away. I like that we are still close to the museum and the neighborhood is really nice with trees about. After much work on a lease, we were able to move last week. Yay! Even though travel and exhibits have been limited lately, it's been a busy time! But feeling so fortunate.☺️

OUT WITH THE OLD

IN WITH THE NEW