So, I am in the process of reprinting some things, for a few different reasons.I've committed to taking part in Dayton Visual Arts Center's holiday ARTtoBUY event, where they turn part of the gallery into a shop filled with member's artwork for two months. I had to fill out an inventory sheet listing my prints and how many of each print I had available, and I think it is probably a good idea to have that many of each one available.
With the reduction prints, that's an easy number, because once you are done, there are no more prints to be made. The only decision to be made is how many I want to hold back. For many of my early linocuts, however, I only printed one or two that were successful, and several of those were done with oil paint and I don't trust their longevity. Since I switched to the Akua Kolor inks, I've been meaning to redo them when I could find the time.
Also, now since I have an Etsy shop and have had my first few sales, suddenly having a little bit of an inventory seems like a good idea.
The problem I'm having, however, is that I'm finding out that I don't really like to reprint things that I've already printed all that much. It feels a little bit like work, instead of fun. And I keep blowing prints. Since I print multiple, brushed on impressions, I know I am going to lose a couple here and there to bad registration, but I am losing them for careless reasons, like the baren slipping down into carved out areas or off the side. It gets a little frustrating when you are down to the last impression.
I don't know, maybe I'm just not in the right frame of mind. After printing off wood, suddenly linoleum doesn't hold my attention like it once did. It doesn't feel the same. The ink slides off compared to the pressure you exert on wood, and how you can vary that pressure for different effects. And I've noticed that when compared to wood, linoleum has this strange magnetic power to attract every piece of dust or dog hair floating around. Not good during shedding season.
Or maybe it is just that I have too many ideas for new prints, and rehashing the past doesn't seem to be holding my attention or my interest.
5 comments:
I have the same problem. Reprinting, or even making a large (more than 15 or so) edition starts feeling not-fun.
This print is awesome. (If it start feeling like work just walk away for a few days.) DLO
I wish I understood it better so I could get a handle on it. I know I have a couple of reduction prints where the last few prints still need the final impression.
I think that maybe when I start something new there's an initial excitement about not knowing quite how it will all turn out and wanting to find out, followed by being engrossed in the process of trying to work it out and arrive someplace successful.
Who wants to do the same puzzle twice? Even if it is one you make up yourself.
And thanks, Mom, but once I walk away, it is hard to go back and not want to start something fresh!
Congrats on the opportunity to show and sell. I agree, these prints are amazing.
Balancing creation with chores is tough. Stop printing for an hour or two and go create, then come back to printing. I print an image till I love it, then do a couple extras to have on hand. Then when I sell out, the money I just made is good motivation to print a few more.
I always expect to lose the first and last print of every session, plus the registration issue. Usually I'm not in the groove on the first print, and I've gotten greedy or lazy on the last one.
Thanks for your input, Justin. Now that I've sold a few things on Etsy I am feeling that motivation that you mention. And I think I have finally learned to use inexpensive paper on the first 2 or 3 prints.
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