stargazing
Helen’s Instagram
I'm back in the studio today feeling tired and foggy. The bushfire warnings have been downgraded for our area and rain has been falling for much of the day. It is a huge relief. Thank you for your messages of support. They were heartwarming and helpful. Our neighbours were wonderful, we had friends and family who offered shelter, chats with understanding colleagues, and my husband has a supportive workplace who sent him home with a tray of home baked sausage rolls yesterday. Finally, I wish to acknowledge the firefighters who worked incredibly long hours in dangerous and unpredictable conditions. All
Ruddy Turnstone linocut print; a migratory shorebird. One of my new batch of small scale one-off prints for my market stall tomorrow.
This beautiful moth was on the outside of the window glass looking in. The two ‘moons’ are our living room cheapo paper lanterns reflected in the glass
With @openstudioswestgippsland coming up I had a hunt through the plan drawers and found quite a few linocuts printed over monoprints. This one has been hiding in there for a while because of its unusual size and hues. When a certain piece seems like a bit of a black sheep, I put it away, like wine, to mature (or turn to vinegar). The title of the print is: “I want to read but there are pom poms in my head” - from my series on dyslexia
I have a strange attraction for these large grey native geese. Did you know an adult goose weighs about 4kg? [File that away for when you are next on a quiz show for conservationists]. This linocut is: A pair of Barren Geese Foraging 1/1 small monoprint only 15cm x 22cm
Shot of the Bunyip bushfire taken from the V/line train on Saturday morning. The CFA were very worried as there was a lot of spotting ahead of the fire front. Later that afternoon we would learn the M1 was closed and the V/line train was changed to a bus taking a safer route way south of the fire. We had a bit of trouble getting home from Melbourne. Sunday morning brought news the fire would probably jump the M1 in the afternoon and head towards Drouin. We decided to evacuate. Like many hundreds of people we decided to ‘leave now’
Detail of Campsite in the Dunes, linocut 24x21cm. This work depicts the feeling of sanctuary that can be afforded by vegetated dunes. When you find a clearing to put up a tent and have a small fire of ti tree. The waves pound out on the beach and it feels good to be sheltered from the wind.
We set off early. The island was accessible for a few hours at low tide. Six hours later all this sand was under several feet of water
So proud of today’s lino workshop students! Ellie, Jane & Pam came to the studio to make 2 colour linocuts. It was such a challenge to complete these in a one day workshop but the team worked hard and each produced a small edition of beautiful prints using water based inks. Swipe to see them.
Today we attempt to reach the island at low tide
Another treasure discovered in my plan drawers. This bird linocut is printed on a salvaged book page, then hand coloured. I’ll be adding it to my box of prints for this Saturday’s Warragul Arts market.