Erin (Ruark)

https://www.riseart.com/article/2485/9-artists-confronting-climate-change

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/t-magazine/climate-change-art.html

I picked up my plates from the laser cutter today-- I think they turned out great! Of course, I’ll probably still have to make some revisions by hand, but I’m going to do a few test prints first. The only part I’m concerned about is the linework plate since I think the lines might be too thin...

While investigating the Shin Hanga movement, I also came across the Sosaku Hanga movement, which occurred in tandem with Shin Hanga. This article explains the differences between really well, but the main idea that I took away is that Sosaku Hanga was self produced-- the original drawing, carving, and inking were all done by one person. Since that’s what I’m doing, I thought it would be worthwhile to investigate it too, and while I wasn’t as directly aesthetically inspired by these works, I felt empowered to be an independent creator like these artists.

Earlier on, after looking at some of my earlier sketches for the Flora Terra project, in particular after noting that I was interested in portraiture, Endi recommended the Shin Hanga Bijinga movement. So, I ended up looking a lot at different examples of these ‘beauty portraits’ that they used to do for inspiration. 

Something that I admire a lot about moku hanga in general is the beautiful simplicity it can achieve. I have a tendency to feel like my work needs to be complicated in order to be interesting, and I wanted to try and break away from that with this piece. The lines themselves are very simple, and I want to explore more depth using primarily inking techniques and the choice of paper. My plan is to make the paper that I print on and strategically embed different dried plants inside. I’d also like to dye the paper a kind of brown color, similar to the color I put for the illustration but a little different. 

This idea came about mostly from the simple thought that the hard white exterior of windmills is a lot like a skeleton, and imagining what it would be like with those other layers as well.

This version is really close to what I want, but it’s not quite there. Symbolically, I think it represents what I’m intending it to, but I think that something about the rectangular frame throws me off. 

Terra Flora Sketches Round 2

Paper from critique 10/20

Prints from Critique 10/20

[Oct 13] Finally removed my first sheet of washi! + some close ups

I really love the way the artist is combining natural elements (veggies!) and the human form here. It’s fascinating.