Tag: Venice Printmaking Studio

Signing the Prints

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We went to the studio for the last time to sign the prints, collect our materials and package up the work to take home with us. We also had to decide which work to leave with GianFranco.

On the way to Murano, we called in at Cimitero to visit the graves of Nijinsky and Stravinsky. The citizens of Venice can be buried here for a maximum of ten years only, unless they happen to be famous. After that, the graves are relocated to somewhere on the mainland, where it is less crowded. The cemetery has its own island, half way between Murano and Fondamenta Nove. The dark shapes of the many cypresses which dot this island pierce the skyline.

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The great signing ceremony.

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We made two related large format prints in small editions of three. We will make a book together of our Venice experience, and one of each edition will be cut up and incorporated in the book, together with photographs and other materials we gathered while we were there.

Printing in Venice

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We have printed our plates a second time, with a quite good result. There was a mark from a fold in the press blanket, but we decided it was a ghost of Venice.

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Here’s me and Chris lifting the print from the press.

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Venice continues to enchant us. Here’s the Bridge of Sighs, crowded with people.

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Venice has many hidden corners. The eye leads you on to explore just that little bit further. What lies beyond the next corner?

Some reflections in Venice

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We’re struggling a bit with the facilities at the studio – lack of materials for printing the plates mainly – so we have instead been enjoying Venice……..here’s some photos to illustrate.

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A four eyed Nicki consulting the map yet again.

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Reflections on the canal.

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Our first plates are ready to print, and hopefully we’ll be able to start it tomorrow. The plates are collographs, all made from found materials, torn paper and cardboard with acrylic gesso, mediums
and PVA glue. This first set will be printed in Venetian red, pinks and browns, intaglio and relief.
We will make a second set of plates using similar materials and construction methods, which will be printed in the jade green of the canals, blues and aqua.

We will need the print gods to be with us, however. There are many hurdles to leap over to realize our plans.

Lost in Venice

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We have porridge! Daphne and Nicki found some fiocchi d’avena at the Rialto. Not the a plastic bag full of rough cut oats, but a very sophisticated tin. It remains to be seen what the contents look like.

Despite last nights experience, I took the wrong vaporetto again this morning, and arrived at the studio late and a bit distracted. Daphne and Nicki arrived sometime later, and both spent some time
on the drypoint I had started. Here’s Daphne working away:

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We had another studio lunch – this time penne with tuna and tomato, and a special lamb shaped Easter cake contributed by Melody, like a panettone. Here we all are:

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Christa, Stefano, Gianfranco, Christiana, Melody, Nicki and Daphne with the remnants of the cake.

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Christa is making a book which includes her drawings and poetry.

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