In an effort to outdo the queen my I enjoyed a week of birthday celebrations this year.
I kicked of with a party for 'the girls' for which i made this wooden tiered cake tray to suit the autumnal nature of the spread, of which I failed to get a photo. Think pumpkins, chestnuts etc in party dresses!
The plates were thrifted of course
but preceding the bubbles and grub we had a print making class, taught by mark lander, amazing NZ artist, who also makes his own paper, pigments and frames from found natural local materials, and is easily the most cheerful, enthusiastic person I've ever met!
The technique he taught us is woodcutting, except we did it on a an easy to obtain coated plastic sheeting
You draw your picture, then kind of gouge in/out anything that's not the lines of the drawing, with anything pointy but blunt you can lay your hands on (biro's, pottery tools, butter knives)
Roll ink on
Press it onto paper with the back of a spoon and...
Open a gallery!
This is my effort.
(Yes. Sigh. The suns on the wrong side, durr!)
But isn't it cool anyway!
Mark also left me piles of materials so I can keep practising (if I ever once I finish my braided rug).
His theory is that you do 10 and then your a) officially a print maker and b) good at it...
we'll see ha ha, watch this creative space!
Awesome! and the happiest birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ms M x
DeleteHappy birthday dear Max, looks like you had the loveliest of days...hope the year ahead is just as awesome x
ReplyDeleteI've had the best start to my 40's thanks Kylie x
DeleteFirstly wishing you a very happy Birthday Max.
ReplyDeleteAnd ,a print making class to celebrate. What a lovely idea.
x
Thanks Z x
DeleteHappy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you hoo, Happy birthday to you!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea for a birthday party. Looks like you had a great time. Shame you didn't get a pic of the nibbles. Life has been great since I turned 40. Its a good decade. Enjoy. x
i know i'm always to busy having a good time to photo these things well, and i made such an effort this year, it was kind medieval-ly all wooden, candles and draped grapes!
Deletethat's so cool! and a happy happy birthday to you :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birth-week! The prize for most original celebration goes to you.
ReplyDeleteYou're so arty, I think your print is wonderful - maybe you should do a giveaway, you could be a professional one day and a lucky reader will have an original.
I love printmaking! Great work :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I like the sun on the "wrong" side, it makes it absurd and interesting. The keep calm poster/card is funny.
ReplyDeleteI love yours - it's beautiful. And so are you, looking great at 40!
ReplyDeleteI have a lino printing kit somewhere, I must dig it out, haven't done any since I was a kid.
Happy birthday again!
X
The husband op-shopped a 'speedball' lino cutter for me, so i'm busting to get to work with it!
DeleteWhat a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday. Love your work and can't wait to see where you take it from here :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Thanks juliet x
DeleteHappy Birthday week!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteawesome! what a fun idea for a party! your print is pretty great for a first try!
ReplyDeleteOh Happy happy birthday!!!! I hope you have a fabulous year ahead.
ReplyDeleteThe print making looked like the best way to spend the day.
Happiness to you
Love v
Happy birthday to you! The print making looks brilliant fun and your one is very cool indeed :) Scarlett x
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday to you Max! 40 is a milestone, but it's only a number; when someone asks me my age I have to stop and think now, I know it starts with a 4 but then I have to use my fingers and count!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great printmaking session you had. I wonder if Mark ever comes up to Nelson?
Have a great weekend, Sallyx
I'll ask him next time I see him and let you know x
DeleteCheers for that Max, email me as I'm a bit hopeless at working out how to know I've received a reply here (or anywhere for that matter!!) x
DeleteHappy Birthday, those prints are incredible, you are very clever. Love that thrifted plate too!
ReplyDeleteLove the keep calm card !!!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun making the prints. Love the 'Keep Calm' birthday card. Remember to do the rest: 'Carry On'! Happy birthday, 40 is a great age to be: maturity plus vitality.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThe prints look beautiful, what a great idea for a party. I'm always so impressed by your creativity and skills. xxx
Happy HAPPY Birthday!! I reckon you can call yourself a printmaker already. You're all growed up now, you can do whatever you like. xxx
ReplyDeleteNice blog!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHappy birthday! What a fun way to celebrate :)
ReplyDelete