Celia Hart's blog about what's going on in and around her studio.
Art, printmaking, inspirations, gardening, vegetables, hens, landscapes, wild flowers, East Anglia, adventure, travel.

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Love in the air

When I was catching up with the galleries that sell my prints and cards I was asked if I had any Valentine's Day cards. It got me thinking and and one evening an image popped into my mind – I quickly scribbled it down in my sketch book.


Yesterday afternoon I quickly scanned and sized the image, made a few tweaks to the composition (I wanted a square design) and transferred it onto a piece of lino. The design was only roughly sketched, so each cut was a step into the unknown; by the end of the day I had a finished carved block ready for printing. I very nearly worked late printing the block right away – I was in the zone! But instead Cliff and I sat down at the studio computer and booked a little holiday, something nice to look forward too :-)


I didn't sleep well, my mind was a bit buzzy from the intensiveness of the carving and excitement about a holiday, so I lay awake thinking about colours.

This morning I got the inks out: Crimson and Yellow Ochre


Made a lovely rich red


Rolled the ink out on the glass


Inked the block


And printed a new design for Valentine's Day


The original limited edition unframed prints can be ordered by emailing studio@celiahart.co.uk
This is a small edition of 20 prints on Japanese Kikuchi Haini Kozo Koban (a beautiful paper made from the fibre of the Paper Mulberry). The image size is 15 x 15cm. Each print is named, signed and numbered in pencil by me. An unframed print costs £48 (including p&p to addresses in the UK mainland).

Cards are now for sale in Magic Cochin's Emporium click here for details



Celia
x

Posted by Celia Hart on Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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33 comments:

  1. dottycookie25 January 2011 at 15:36

    How perfectly lovely!

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  2. Mangle Prints25 January 2011 at 15:44

    this is wonderful :-)

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  3. inmykitchen25 January 2011 at 15:52

    What a lovely idea for a card. I would love one of those for my hubby. We will soon be hare spotting out in the fields near our home. I'll look out for the details.
    Jo x

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  4. Anonymous25 January 2011 at 16:07

    There's something seductive about that shiny, wet ink, isn't there?

    Holiday? Will you need a Berlitz course, perhaps?

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  5. The Wessex Reiver25 January 2011 at 16:21

    Just fabulous. I've never done lino prints but this is so inspiring, and there's something magical about the flat colour lino prints provide which is so stylish

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  6. Kath25 January 2011 at 17:06

    Hares are special aren't they? We see them in the fields around here quite often. Never seen two so 'loved up' before though!

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  7. Gina25 January 2011 at 17:47

    What a super design. I've got a special day at the V & A learning to make a paper cut Valentine this year... can't wait!

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  8. Elizabeth Musgrave25 January 2011 at 17:56

    I really like that very much. I think I must think seriously about having one of your prints, never mind that I don't have a full time job any more!

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  9. Diane Kelsey25 January 2011 at 18:06

    That is so clever! I'm sure you have made it seem easy.

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  10. Patricia G25 January 2011 at 18:26

    A great design and I like your choice of colour - on a grey background.

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  11. Threadspider25 January 2011 at 19:44

    Oooooh I like these so much! And how I admire being able to translate the idea into the artwork with such accomplishment.

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  12. jamjar25 January 2011 at 20:10

    Oh lovely! a beautiful design. Many thanks oo for the link to the potato site!

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  13. elsy25 January 2011 at 20:16

    looking forward to seeing the real thing....hope they will be for sale in walden.....ps where's the holiday to?

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  14. Fiona25 January 2011 at 20:53

    That is just lovely.

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  15. Su25 January 2011 at 20:58

    It looks so lovely. And how lucky you are to have a holiday booked too.

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  16. From Beyond My Kitchen Window25 January 2011 at 23:48

    So talented. Can't wait for more details.

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  17. Sweet Birdy Love26 January 2011 at 03:41

    Oh Celia, what a wonderful design and that luscious red ink,mmmmm
    You make it sound so easy, no doubt it is with years of experience behind you. Must be such a satisfying process.
    Can't, wait to see the printed cards.

    Claire :)

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  18. Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes26 January 2011 at 06:11

    I love your design! I did block printing in college . . . what a lovely card it will make! Have a wonderful day!

    Mary

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  19. LAC EMP 202026 January 2011 at 08:10

    Celia
    You make something very clever and time consuming seem like a walk in the park. I know it is not as simple as that! Lovely colours and a timeless design. Good luck with the sales for Valentine's Day. Would love to know where your next break is. You always pick such lovely places to visit. Lesley

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  20. Matron26 January 2011 at 09:49

    Isn't that just the best feeling when your creative juices start to overflow! ..but being me... I was thinking about what two rabbits might be doing on valentines day.. you could start a range of x-rated prints! ;-)

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  21. Anonymous26 January 2011 at 10:13

    I am so in awe of your patience, your talent and skill. That card is just gorgeous, good luck with it.

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  22. Maria26 January 2011 at 11:26

    Celia, this looks gorgeous!

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  23. petoskystone26 January 2011 at 14:56

    lovely!

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  24. erasercarver26 January 2011 at 15:51

    Oh, looks beautiful. I love that step into the unknown when you have only sketched out a rough idea - see where the tools take you...

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  25. Anonymous26 January 2011 at 16:19

    That is exquisite. I so enjoyed seeing the gradual process from idea to print, you make it look effortless and I know that it isn't!
    Gillie

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  26. Lyn26 January 2011 at 21:35

    Its gorgeous, I love it, I have always wanted to have ago at making a block print but not sure I wouls have the patience!
    love
    Lyn
    xxx

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  27. Frances27 January 2011 at 03:01

    Celia, those prints are sure to be snapped up. I love the way that you describe your evolving process and how you took a break, kept thinking about the design and then got it printed!

    I agree with Printed Material's comment. What you seem to do so smoothly, is really much more complex.

    Best wishes. xo

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  28. Unknown28 January 2011 at 15:22

    Oh so gorgeous. I would just love one of those prints and were my funds more fluid I would buy one in a heartbeat.

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  29. Celia Hart28 January 2011 at 18:09

    So many comments! Thank you, thank you... too many to do individual replies but I have enjoyed reading them all.

    Celia
    x

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  30. Penny28 January 2011 at 21:02

    I PLAY WITH LINO CUTS BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS.
    THEY ARE LOVELY.

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  31. Catherine les Vignettes31 January 2011 at 18:20

    Celia, your work is amazing ! I will follow your blog with pleasure.
    I am currently shooting for East anglian artists, crafts people. I am a french native and live near Cambridge now since few years. Photography is my passion and I am regularly sharing my work on my blog http://www.lesvignettes.com.
    I really enjoyed your post showing the different process of your print !

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  32. Celia Hart31 January 2011 at 19:59

    Thank you Penny - there is so much to explore with linocuts - a deceptively simple technique.

    Hello Catherine - welcome to PPPs, I've popped over to your blog and found some very familiar places.

    Celia
    x

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  33. Anonymous3 February 2011 at 00:52

    Your work is always so beautiful! I just love each piece I see. What a sweet Valentine print! Thank you for all the beauty you share with us through your art! I would love to have your prints all over my house!!

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