My Print Exchange Print!

About three months ago, I wrote this post about participating in Print Exchange 2014, which is put on by the Sketchbook Project people.  I thought it would be a good way to get my feet wet in the print world.

Well, I'm happy to announce that my prints are finished and already at their destination in Brooklyn!  Here's my print:

The theme for the exchange is, "Let this be a Sign....".  I grappled with this idea for a while - at first, I was going to take this more literally and create a print with a bunch of street signs.  But then, I saw an article about global warming, and got the idea for my print.  I call it, "....of Climate Change".

The size of the paper could be no more than 5 X 7", so I thought a 3 X 4' block would be a nice uniform size. I had so much fun carving this block!  To some it might have been tedious - there were a lot of teeny-tiny spaces to carve - but I realized that this is what I love to do the most!  The detailed work is my favorite. It's a linocut, and I used my Craft + Concept backpack press to print the edition of 12.  But I wanted to incorporate some mixed media into the print as well, so I sewed the border of each one and then added some chalk pastel to the horizon.

This print will go to 10 more participants, plus one print for their archives and another will go on the traveling exhibit.  I just hope the recipients enjoy it!  :)

Taking the Plunge for The Print Exchange 2014!!

WOWIE!  In my inbox yesterday, I came across an e-mail from Art House Co-op, who runs The Sketchbook Project.  Many of you may be familiar with this project, but did you know that every year they also do a PRINT exchange?!

Because prints weren't even on my radar until about March of last year, I never noticed this awesome challenge before!!  But this year, I'm going to do it.

Here's the gist of it - you create an edition of 12 prints.  Ten are exchanged with other artists who also signed up for the project (the first 500 to sign up get to play).  The other 2 are archived/exhibited at the Brooklyn Art Library!  Here's the Flickr gallery of the prints from last year.  There is a cost of $50 (plus $8 shipping) but the way I look at it, I'm getting 10 original works of art for that 58 bucks!  That's only $5.80 per print!

I'm really excited - and a little terrified - about this project.  This year, the theme is "Let this be a Sign".  I already have some ideas floating around about what I'm going to do, so I need to get those on paper and spend a day or two ruminating.  :)

What do you say, printmakers?  Want to do this with me?  I think you should.  :)  Oh, and if you do want to try it, the promo code for the discount at checkout is CRAFTSTERBUDDIES.  It'll save you around $11!  :D

Let me know in the comments (or on my Facebook page) if you're going to try this!  I'd love to hear from you!  :D