This is something that I had at the back of my mind. I wanted to try some linocuts and for this making day; I really planned for it. I went to an art store and bought all the stuffs needed as I didn't have any. I couldn't get the proper ink in time for the day; however someone told me I could do just fine even with acrylic. As my paintings I did no preliminary sketches because I was sure I would be "finding my way" without much difficulty and started the work "with a thrilling mind".
I started with the cutting process and I enjoyed this activity too as I felt I could handle the tool with much ease and all was coming out quite smoothly. Here is carving process at different stages:
The carving lasted about 45 minutes. Carving has always been a soothing experiment for me. I feel very light and calm while doing it and I now feel that I have come to point where these little thoughts about how I feel about my making is all starting to make sense to me.I feel that I am looking at myself from the inside and understand things at a deeper level.
I tried my first print-outs. These were not so successful, however I felt good because they were like guidelines to make me understand about how to spread the paint and how to get uniform prints. I was also having problem with my papers as they were too thin and some were getting torn in the process. I had to change to thicker good quality papers. As this time, I felt time running out as I had to clean my blocks several times and apply the paint again.
This little red print was amongst my first prints. I like the feel of it and it looked promising. I still felt time was running out as I cleaned my block and started the carving for the next stage for my second application of colour. I also remember feeling stressed as I felt I had to remain calculating to forecast about what had to be left out and what spaces had to go. Here, what was really important was to keep a balance in the composition.
This is the Stage Two:the second application of colour. I like the feel of what came about because I felt the balance between the white and the two colours. I also felt the "rawness" of the cuts and I was quite happy with the textural effects .
I tried my first print-outs. These were not so successful, however I felt good because they were like guidelines to make me understand about how to spread the paint and how to get uniform prints. I was also having problem with my papers as they were too thin and some were getting torn in the process. I had to change to thicker good quality papers. As this time, I felt time running out as I had to clean my blocks several times and apply the paint again.
This is the Stage Two:the second application of colour. I like the feel of what came about because I felt the balance between the white and the two colours. I also felt the "rawness" of the cuts and I was quite happy with the textural effects .
About three hours of work at these stage. I remember taking notes about what was happening; however I also remember feeling frustrated about not being able to upload all the photos about what I was doing. For me this process was really an important matter and I wanted to share it with everybody. I also felt I was being overambitious for choosing such a difficult technique without anticipating about what could go wrong. Here was the stage where my fears were surfacing out. I then decided that I could mount a quick power-point so as to show the process in the right manner and also to show the link this activity with my actual making which I think is quite important too. This is the last stage where I cleaned my block and carved the remaining part that I wanted to take out. I would like to say that what I was trying out here was also risky in the sense that I should have calculated/ anticipated my moves on paper before carving things out. However, I really felt out of time...
TO CONCLUDE:
This was an important experiment. I was perhaps assimilating so many things at a time that I really felt that I needed sometime to write this down and understand its full impact in my making. The end product was satisfactory; however to me the process was more important. I also feel I can do better. This activity has given me a clear-cut indication about my thought patterns. It has also given me hints and indications about what I really care about in my work and what becomes unimportant while taking on the spot decisions. As I very seriously said to Caroline, I still have some lino blocks left and I would most probably repeat that in future. Amongst the matters that I have been pondering right now is the fact that HOW EVERYTHING GETS TO BE INTER-RELATED, and how one work is always feeding on the previous one and so on. I have even considered these thoughts at a deeper level; as spiritual consciousness. I feel so surprised and also a little taken aback at how everything gets to fit perfectly into place even though I know they are coming from my subconsciousness...
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