S.R. Wild: Artist and Graphic Designer

Class Ends, Vacation Begins

Tuesday was my last silkscreen printing class. Everyone was asked to bring in all of their work for an informal critique. It’s been awhile since I was in a critique — well, everything I do at work is critiqued by numerous people. Only about half the class showed up and only about half of those brought more than one piece to show. I sort of expected more since the class wasn’t for credit or anything. Once again I felt like an overachiever because I showed about ten pieces.

After the critique I worked a little and made the print pictured above.

I’d be sad about not having access to the print studio, but my instructor got a free month of studio access for everyone in the class to make up for a few mishaps and whatnot. I’ll be able to work in the studio for the rest of this month and all of September.

As I mentioned before, I wanted to set up shop at home. Last weekend I ordered a few basic supplies that were a birthday present from my mom (thanks mom). The package arrived yesterday so now I can’t print at home.

There are a few things I don’t have that would make printing easier, like a lightbox for exposing screens, but I’d prefer to build them myself. I can make do for now.

Speaking of birthdays, mine is next week. As a present to myself I decided to take the week off. I haven’t taken more than a few days off since I started my current job over a year ago. I’m not going anywhere or doing anything special. I plan on covering all my clocks and turning my phone off so I can catch up on my reading, watch a ton of movies, build things, do some silkscreen printing, and just lounge around my apartment with my cat.

I suppose I’m taking a “staycation,” which is the latest buzzword inspired by people not traveling on their vacations due to increased gas prices. High gas prices have nothing to do with why I’m not doing anything. I just need to take a break from everything.

Two-Color Satisfaction

I do say, I am satisfied with the prints I created this evening — quite satisfied. This was my first attempt at doing two colors. The one below has three colors, but I only used two screens — actually, I only have one screen, so I burned two images on to the same screen.

I also decorated my journal.

In case you’re interested, here is the original image. The bonsai pictured is doing much better now and has numerous green leaves.

I lost My Virginity

I finally did it, my silkscreening hymen was popped this evening. They say you always remember your first time, so I wanted my first silkscreen print to be of someone special: Magpie.

The image of her is a photograph I took that I manipulated in Photoshop and then printed on faux vellum. Having never done anything like this before, I wasn’t sure how well it would work, but it did. The entire process went very well considering it was my first time — I can only get better at it form here on out. I really love silkscreening. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I forgot I’ve been awake since 7 o’clock yesterday.

Speaking of sleep, I really need to get some — I can barley keep my eyes open.

Good night everyone.

Learning Silkscreening

I’m taking a silkscreen printing class at Burlington City Arts and I’m very excited about it. I’ve always wanted to learn how to do it, I just never had the chance. I’ve tried signing up for this class numerous times, but it always filled up.

The best part is I have access to the printmaking studio during the week. I plan to take advantage of it as much as I can. And not just for silkscreening; there is also letterpress equipment, so I can experiment with all that wood type I have.

One thing I miss about being in school is having access to equipment. But, the cool thing about silkscreening is you don’t need a huge press or a lot of equipment to do simple short runs. If I get into it, and I know I will, I’m going to set up something simple at home.

Not only will I be learning something new, I’ll also get out of my cave and be around other people — those are all very good things. If it weren’t for work and junk hunting adventures, I probably wouldn’t see anyone for days or weeks at a time (like when I was unemployed) — not good for someone like me. I’ll probably still have a small nervous breakdown at some point, like the (not so small) one earlier this year, but maybe I can put it off until next year.

With this class and a few other projects, the next six weeks will be fun and busy. Needless to say, I probably won’t be blogging much. I haven’t been blogging much as it is, so that means I hardly will. But, I talk to most of you on a regular basis anyway. If I don’t, maybe you should do something about that.

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