D'Art Center Auction

This weekend is our big yearly art auction at my art center. I can't believe that Paris is the theme since I was just there! There will be lots of food, wine and music and of course, the auction, both silent and live. I finished my piece for the auction and here it is all framed and ready for action. After finishing the large linocut at the top, I added the etching at the bottom and two small linocuts. I inserted wire for their antennae, which is, unfortunately, difficult to see in the photo but it looks good in person!

14" x 16" (with frame 20" x 22")

New Butterfly Linocut 2

I'm continuing to work on the new butterfly linocut with two new layers of color, shown here. My deadline for finishing it is at the end of February. I haven't quite decided what will be added at the bottom of the work but I'm hoping that an inspiration will come! We had several inches of snow with sleet last night and it's cold and icy so there's no going to the studio to work today! I do love a snow day once in a awhile but not too many in a row when I have work on my mind.

2nd color printed

linoleum cut and ready for printing next colors

printed!

Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia

I was in the great Capitol City of Virginia, Richmond, last fall and had some free time so thought I'd visit the Poe Museum. I didn't know that there was such a thing until recently. Knowing that he's one of the most well-known of American authors, I definitely wanted to learn more about him. What could this museum have about this inventor of the modern detective story and teller of tales of terror and writer of haunting lyric poetry? Plenty!! It has the world's largest collection of manuscript letters, personal belongings and memorabilia. He was born in Boston but lived in Richmond many years and had his first journalism job there, not far from the museum. I enjoyed my visit there!

The front door of the museum, the oldest standing house in Richmond, probably built in 1737.

2 black cats live at the museum, found one day in the back of the garden. How curious to be there at a museum for the teller of  frightening tales!

statue of Poe in the garden

the garden

New Butterfly Linocut

I decided to make another large butterfly linocut thinking it would be a nice partner for another one I made. Also, I need a larger piece for the big March auction at the art center where I have my studio. The final print will be 14" x 18". The butterfly will be at the top and then something else at the bottom. We'll see! As you can see, I started carving the linoleum for the printing of the first color, which I will do as soon as the paper that I ordered arrives!  
I will show you more as I go. 

I love my desk in the corner where I do all my drawing and sit-down work.

I'm first removing all of the linoleum from the outside.

The linoleum is easier to carve when it is warm so I use this warming tray before carving.

"Ex Libris d'ART "Exhibition at the d'Art Center, Norfolk, VA

The art center where I have my studio is having an exhibit "Ex Libris d'ART" to coincide with the opening of the new library next door. The purpose is to "bring stories to life through visual art" with "visual artists providing commentary, tales and visual poetry".  I thought my etching "Le Renard" could fit that theme very well so here it is ready for display in the gallery. The writing is by my French friend Jean-Luc whose words are screen printed on chine colle paper. Then the etching of the fox is printed on top. I've been watching the construction of this building for several years so I'm looking forward to the opening!
Ex Libris -" from books!"

New Slover Library
the old building and the new one
the art center is  next door, not shown

French Vacation (Paris) La Galerie Portable

I saw this exhibit on a corner in Montmartre, Paris and liked the sign. It tells it like it is!