Douglas Art Group (D.A.B.) - Carborundum Collagraph Workshop 18,19,20 Nov 2017

D.A.B. - Carborundum Collagraph Workshop 

Ellen Terrell, a potter living in the Mossman region recently invited me to submit a workshop proposal for a 3-day Carborundum Collagraph Workshop as part of a RADF funding application for the local arts group D.A.B. Douglas Art Group

D.A.B. Studio Gallery Mossman FNQ

I had an enjoyable 6-hour drive north of Townsville arriving early on Friday evening to a very warm welcome by Ellen and D.A.B’s outgoing treasurer Liz Showniruk, and her family. We enjoyed a lovely evening at the Exchange Hotel Mossman including a dance with the locals to a rock band in the front bar before heading to her property at Whyanbeel Valley situated in the rainforest 10 minutes north of Mossman. 

Saturday Markets - Mossman FNQ

On a Saturday morning in Mossman, there is a local market full of fresh fruit and veg, a hairdresser amongst other professional’s, handcrafted wares including hand-printed tea towels and aprons. I purchased a lovely apron for the workshop designed and printed by Mary.

Day 1 - Introduction to materials, image design, and plate creation
D.A.B. have an etching press 40 x 70 cm. fitted with a good thick blanket suited to Collagraph printing. The press size determined the maximum size of the plates for use, 25 x 51cm.  We were using full sheets of strawboard 101 x 76cm. We were able to get 6 cut plates from one full sheet with no wastage.

We covered all the basics of studio practice included setting the press, clean paper areas, messy plate creation areas, demonstrations on sealing the plates and making your own textured mediums, composition and mark making.

D.A.B members applying Shellac 

Plate creation

Ellen working with PVA

Lea applying Carborundum grit

Britta tearing back the surface of the plate for texture

Lil exploring mark making

Day 2 – Plate creation & printing
The D.A.B. group purchased 3 different weight Hahnemuhle papers, 300 gsm, 230 gsm, and 150 gsm to use for printing. The lightweight paper, 150 gsm, was used for image transfer as part of multi-plate registration. The 230gsm for proofing and 300gsm for printing final prints. I gave a demonstration on inking up with a stipple brush or plastic card. We discussed when best to use transparency and how to mix it into your inks. I demonstrated different ways of wiping back using paper and or tarlatan.
The group really enjoyed these activities, especially pulling their first print, and making ghost prints for further overprinting at a later date.

Inga printing plate 2 of 3 colours/3 plate collagraph print

Inga & Ellen marvelling at Inga's print 

Gail working on a design

Test plates printed with varying blacks and transparency ink

Day 3 – Printing
Everyone seemed to get straight into it displaying confidence and enthusiasm. All the prints coming off the press were terrific and bold.

Inking and wiping the collagraph plates

Lea's 4 colour/3 plate collagraph print

Britta's 3 colour/3 plate collagraph print

Gail's 2 plate/2 colour collagraph print

Britta & Inga

Lil printing a textured plate made using a textured medium

Lea reflecting on her collagraph prints

Inga experimenting with colour and transparency ink

Lil's 2 colour/3 plate collagraph print

In summary, the workshop explored multi-plate colour printing using textured collagraph plates. Workshop participants worked to create a series of plates that were printed in succession producing multi-colour prints. Engaging with a diverse range of materials, plate creation, monoprinting techniques, including the use of transparent ink.

Carborundum Collagraph: Carborundum grits (silicon carbide, lithography graining grit) are mixed with glue and applied to the surface of strawboard, perspex or plastic etching plates to produce rich tonal areas, often in a very painterly manner. The plates may also be incised, abraded, or attacked with various sharp hand and/or electric tools to create velvety linear marks, and/or combined with monotype.

I’d like to say a very big thank you to the D.A.B management committee, and artists for the invitation to facilitate a workshop in their very friendly gallery and studio. Including the outgoing president Liz Showniruk and her family for welcoming me into their home. Liz runs her own Studio & gallery, Whyanbeel Valley Studio & Art Gallery  which includes and the most stunning Artists Residence accommodation available for hire.

Jo Lankester Recipiant - APW Regional Artist-in-Residence Project 2017

Australian Print Workshop Regional Artist-in-Residency project

I’m please to write of a recent professional development opportunity in Melbourne at the Australian Print Workshop (APW) as a recipient of the Regional Artist-in-Residence project between 16 November to 5 December 2017.

Australian Print Workshop 210 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, Vic 3065

Proposed Print Project: To make experimental studies of textured surfaces of the given environment in the form of Unique State Prints.

During this time, I enjoyed early morning walks to parks and gardens located close to the APW including the Fitzroy Gardens, Yarra Park and the Botanical Gardens. Stopping to make small drawings of the surface of gum trees then return to the studio and draw in my journal from memory of the observational drawing made in the park. Then in the APW Access Print Studio working from memory, I printed a series of monotype prints on Hahnemuhle 78 x 53cm, using etching ink and a copper plate 90 x 60 cm. Each memory exercise is a process that removes my mark making from the literal and becomes an intuitive process to making prints. The Monotypes were printed with up to 4 layers of colour using a subtractive approach to create the image.

Subtractive Monotype printing, printed by Jo Lankester in the APW Access Print Workshop

4 layered subtractive Monotypes, printed by Jo Lankester in the APW Access Print Workshop

In week two I was presented with a generous opportunity to create a Limited Edition Print with APW Senior Printer Simon White. We worked together to create a 4-colour plate lithograph printed on the FAG offset press, I drew on the prepared plates, which Simon then processed and printed. This was an amazing experience to work in a medium that I don’t have access to in Townsville or the skills to work in this medium unassisted. The technical guidance and skills provided by Simon White realised a beautifully printed edition of prints containing intricate marks and a subtle colour palette that tells a story of my physical, and artistic journey whilst in residence at the APW. 

Plate 1 of 4, Tusche Wash & crayon

3 layers of colour of 4 plate/4 colour Lithograph. Printed by Simon White, APW Senior printer. 

Key plate for Lithograph print (4 plate/4 colour)

Cortex-Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Plate lithograph (4 plates/4 colour)
76 x 55cm | BFK 250gsm
Drawn by Jo Lankester and printed by Simon White, APW Senior printer.
This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017
This Unique State print can be purchased through the Australian Print Workshop.

The key Lithography plate was also printed on the dry surface of the 7 monotypes created in week one, in the APW Access Studio. The monoprints were then further worked on by myself in week 3 to created 3 x unique state diptych prints and I x APW unique state single sheet print.

Key Lithographic Plate printed on Monotypes to become Monoprints.

Drawn by Jo Lankester and printed by Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

Applying the final lines of colour in the APW Access Print Workshop

Cortex-Parliament Gardens, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

This Unique State print can be viewed at the Australian Print Workshop.

Cortex-Botanic Gardens II, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017

This Unique State print can be purchased through the Australian Print Workshop.

Cortex-Yarra park, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

Cortex-Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne

Drawn by Jo Lankester, printed by Jo Lankester & Simon White, APW Senior printer.

This work resulted from an Artist-in-Residency project supported by Australian Print Workshop in 2017.

In between printing the monoprints and working on the limited edition print, Cortex - Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, I produced 3 x small editions and a couple of trial proofs. These prints are what I call my drawing prints. I use only one element of the subject to focus on, usually the outer layer of textured bark and stains on a tree.

Additional small editions made and printed by Jo Lankester in the APW Access Print Workshop

This incredibly generous opportunity offered by the Australian Print Workshop also enabled me to make contact with professional practicing printmakers living, and working in Melbourne. The inner city location of the APW situated near commercial and state/national galleries allowed easy access for me to see exhibitions, attend exhibition openings, artist talks, and print studio launches. During my stay I built new connections and working relationships resulting in a true sense of connectedness with printmaking artists in Victoria reducing the sense of physical isolation through distance of living in regional North Queensland.

Thank you to the Australian Print Workshop Board, APW Directors and staff for this incredible opportunity to make new connections, and extend my knowledge of the print medium.

Peebles Print Prize - Highly Commended Jo Lankester

Watch the official announcement of the Peebles Print Prize at Queenscliff Gallery & Workshop by Hertha Gluge-Pot.

Congratulations to Olivia Mazzone, winner of the inaugural Peebles Print Prize.

High commendations by Hertha Kluge-Pott to Michele Kershaw for Re:Sown and Jo Lankester for Rhytidome Viscaceae – Townsville II.

https://qgw.com.au/ppp-official-opening-winner-announcement/

PUNQ: Pop Up North Queensland Arts Festival 28 July - 6 August 2017

PUNQ: Pop Up North Queensland Arts Festival 28 July - 6 August 2017

Brush & Press Studio is participating in this unique 9day arts festival in Townsville, North Queensland.

Screen Shot of Umbrella Studio Webstie

Brush & Press

In Artists in Action, Pop-Up Shop  April 5, 2017

261 Flinders Street

Brush & Press is a print focused studio showcasing works on paper & linen by local and interstate artists Laura Castell, Mini Graff, Jo Lankester, and Janet Parker-Smith.

At this pop-up, you will see artists in action showcasing the process of printmaking and you will be given the opportunity to purchase a piece of work!

Laura Castell

Laura is originally from Venezuela and a trained biologist – a practice that has given her close contact with nature. Castell became a full-time artist in 2014 and her interests revolve around two main topics- often treated separately, nature and the human condition. She works in a variety of media, with printmaking a major focus, especially relief printmaking, but more recently exploring the combination of techniques.

Laura Castell,Nine treasures, 19.5×18 cm, Reduction linocut, Edition 10.

Mini Graff

Mini is a New Zealand born, Sydney-based street artist who works in and around the city’s urban fringe. The streets and inhabitants of the area provide the content and impetus for her work. Mini Graff stencils and prints images onto a variety of media (walls, boards, vinyl, paper, rarely canvas) which strongly relate to the given environment and community, transforming an anonymous repetitive urban landscape into a unique and personal aesthetic experience.

Mini Graff, (l-r), Play that card again (multi stencil).

Jo Lankester

Jo is a passionate printmaker living and working in Townsville, North Queensland. The natural environment informs her uniquely printed fine art prints. Mark-making and experimentation is the process behind the work. Her focus in the medium of Collagraph is an ongoing enquiry resulting in the extension of the parameters of both the medium and her own visual language.

Jo Lankester, On the Surface, 2014, Intaglio 88.5 x 75cm

Janet Parker-Smith

Janet is a Sydney based artist who works with Printmedia, Sculpture and Altered books. She has been exhibiting nationally and internationally for 20 years.
Parker-Snith is represented by Van Rensberg Gallery, Hong Kong and supported by May Space, Sydney where she has had several solo exhibitions, and M Contemporary Gallery, Sydney.

Janet Parker-Smith, (l-r), Aberrant, One screen print

To visit the Umbrella Studio of Contemporary Arts website to find out more click here: PUNQ Arts Festival

Jo Lankester - Printmaking Artist. Produced by Eyeswide Imaging and Alex Christopher

I was recently invited to participate in a Townsville Artists Digital Storytelling Project organised by Eyeswide Imaging and Alex Christopher who received RADF funding for the production of ten short films featuring local artists and their conceptual development

The project was a pleasure to be a part of and the filming was a lot of fun also.

Thank you Eyeswide Imaging and Alex Christopher for the invitation to participate and producing a great website to go with it.

Website: Townsville Artists stories about practice, process and concept

Impressions 2016 at The G.R.A.I.N. Store, Nathalia, Victoria

I am pleased to let you know that my work Cellulose - Anderson Park featured in IMPRESSIONS 2016 at the Australian Print Workshop has been selected for and exhibition to be held at The G.R.A.I.N. Store, Nathalia, Victoria.

This exhibition includes a selection of 52 IMPRESSIONS works curated by the staff and committee of The G.R.A.I.N. Store and will be on display from 9 April until 20 May 2017.

The G.R.A.I.N Store stands for Growing Rural Arts in Nathalia, and is a not-for-profit rural arts center with a history of exhibitions, performances and workshops. It fosters art which furthers the community, the environment, rural health, reconciliation and education while contributing to the economic development of the area.

The exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to broaden the exposure of contemporary Australian printmaking to regional audiences.

Thank you to the Australian Print Workshop and The G.R.A.I.N. Store, Nathalia, Victoria

To read more click on this link to an article published by the Riverine Herald on April 03 2017

Jo Lankester, Cellulose - Anderson Park, 2016, Etching, Drypoint with Relief Roll 20 x 15cm