Starting process

The day before yesterday I ventured out to the local box chain art store to purchase what I need to proceed with creating new block prints. It's been over 30 year since I carved a woodblock into something worth inking. I owned a few inks (miraculously three survived and are usable), two woodblocks already cut, knives and a roller. What I really needed was more woodblocks and inspiration.

The big box store had one sized woodblock approx. 7x5 inches. I like to work with a smaller size but you've got to work with what you have I suppose. And I've started to investigate arts suppliers on-line for further purchasing. It seems to me I ought to find a 7x5 block for under $5. One such supplier, Daniel Smith.com sells 4x6's for $1.60 and smaller still the a 3x4 for .95. I can live with those prices though I need to check on shipping costs as well.

Yesterday during the snow storm I had the luxury of working on the new block. I decided to with a lotus flower design. I had a dream (no not so grand as his dream) of a simple black and white print tinted with watercolors to make the design pop. Hence, that is why I've left the leaf and petals with little detail.

One factor in my planning had a hole in it. How was I going to clamp the block down to carve out the unnecessary bits. When I did this 30 years ago my father's wood working shop was the place to do anything manual such as using knives. Sadly, that shop is gone like my father and I'll need to have my husband rig up something doable.

More to come of course and tomorrow is another day. This day was shot except to do my Daily Shot photo which I've added to the link above.