winter tracks

My prints for the gocco swap are finally in the mail.  As the organizer, it's a tad embarrassing to admit that I was eight days late in sending off my goods.  I was set back by a self-inflicted bout of last-minute-itis paired with technical difficulties.  Despite the delay, I'm pleased with the results.

I originally set out to make a print with multiple screens.  I hadn't ever done this before and wanted to stretch myself a bit with the swap.  But the image I had in my head I couldn't wrestle onto paper. 

Then I happened upon the tracks of pigeons near a bridge I often cross on my morning walks with the dog.  I knew I had found it. 

I snapped a dozen or so photos and somehow figured out the very most basics of photo-editing to invert and clean the image for the screen.  Then I ran into some problems.  I printed the image on my HP inkjet which, according to many, works just fine.  But I couldn't get the image to burn onto the screen.  I ran through all of my bulbs and still a blank screen.  A panicked order was placed with Wet Paint for more supplies and I set out to find a photocopier so that my image would be ready when the delivery arrived.

A few days later I burned the screen without incident and started on the printing.  My inks are stored, with most of my craft stuff, in my mostly unheated attic.  I quickly learned that the inks aren't as cooperative when they're cold, which really should have been obvious.  While I was frustrated by this at first, it ended up adding an unexpected element to the printing process. 

The shimmering blue I mixed from silver, white and konjou blue ended up relatively solid for the first part of the print run; but when I reinked the screen, subtle variations of blue became apparent across the following prints.  The more I printed, the more I imagined the prints to be like those actual tracks.  With time and temperature the snow would melt, revealing more and more of the surface beneath.  Fitting too, I think for the mid-winter theme.

If you haven't yet, check out the flickr group for the swap.  The creativity of the group continues to amaze me.  While I imagined that there would be a range of things produced and shared, I didn't expect that so many would also share their processes in making their items - in many cases the photos have links to their blog posts about the inspiration and actual crafting of the images.  Be sure to check these out too.

Many have asked if there will be another gocco swap.  I'm planning on it.  There won't be a seasonal theme though -- I now realize that the notion of mid-winter was the last thing many wanted to think about, especially those in the southern hemisphere!  I tend forget that winter doesn't last for six whole months in much of the world...  I'd love to hear feedback on this swap and also suggestions for the next one.  In the meantime, many, many thanks to all of the swap participants for making this swap a success!!

Comments

[Bluebirdbaby]

I love it!! Gorgeous. I'm certainly getting "gocco inspired" with all of these prints I see around blog land... :)

[Bev]

I LOVE the photo and screen print, wow beautiful unblemished prints! beautiful!

[kat]

what a beautiful print! I can't wait to receive my package from you. Thanks so much!

[Tracy]

Oh, Sarah, I love this. I just ordered silver ink. I kept telling myself to check my supplies before the last minute, but we all know that didn't happen.

I love the randomness that gocco imparts to each print, the unperfectness. I tend to get caught up in perfection sometimes, so when I print it reminds me that it doesn't need to be perfect. The bare spots and places where the ink doesn't cooperate are all part of the process. I love that.

I actually liked the midwinter theme, because the people participating in different parts of the world have different interpretations of winter than I do. I say next time gather some suggestions for words and throw them into a hat, and see what comes out.

[sarah]

The prints are gorgeous!

[kirsten]

i think your prints turned out fabulous. i'm hoping you have another swap - i'm SO hoping for a gocco for my birthday in a couple of weeks!

[Ashley]

This is just gorgeous. I wish I had a gocco so I could play!

[Sarah van Wijck]

Your print is gorgeous. Looking forward to the next swap as I'd love to take part. I'm still a complete novice so thank you for sharing your work. Sarah

[erin]

oh! it is lovely, sarah! so so gorgeous. i can't wait to hold it in my hands.

please do another swap. i would love that. and i promise, no grumbling this time.

[Blue Valentine Press]

I love the prints and can't wait to get my package. Those that I have received so far are fantastic. I'd definitely participate in another swap. And I like the mid-winter theme, although I live in Central Texas where it's already Spring, I am nostalgic for my former Minnesota Winter Days.

[Mintyfresh]

It's gorgeous. If you do it again, I could quite likely be tempted to buy the materials in order to join in--I did silkscreening and other printmaking in college.

[hadley]

Your print is so beautiful, and depicts one of my favorite things. I really do love bird tracks.

I just discovered Gocco recently and desperately wish I'd found out about your brilliant exchange idea before it was too late! I am looking forward to all that you crafty folks create, though.

[Lisa Z]

What lovely artwork. I saw your comment on SouleMama today, about being on the N. Shore. Just had to stop by and say hi! We love, love, love the N. Shore, Duluth, Grand Marais, etc.

I live in St. Cloud, MN. Not too far away!

[carrie]

this was so much fun! i can't wait until your next one.

[mari]

i love all things birds. i loved your print. i just bought a gocco and would love to see another swap. thanks so much for sharing and organizing the swap!
mari

[Penny]

very cool print. I need to check into this gocco thing!

[Diane]

I agree, lovely print. What I'm so amazed with is all the work and how many steps were required. Very nicely done.

Diane
http://albertapostcards.wordpress.com/

[Tara]

beautiful! I also wish I had a gocco to play with...

[h.]

This print is so lovely. I love the color, the texture, the simplicity. So very, very lovely. Seeing the prints in your Flickr account makes me want to learn print making. I've never done any print making... maybe I need one more addiction.. I mean artistic medium... maybe...

[Sarah]

Your print is gorgeous, Sarah! I just got it today & it made me so happy :) A summer swap would be fun...the lazy days of summer. I can see images of bikes, waves, shells, strawberries... :)

[Angela]

I received this today as well and I am so thrilled! Thank you so, so, so much. This will be framed and hanging in out house :)

[annie]

I really want to get in on the next round of swapping- this is such a great idea! Especially now that gocco supplies are a little easier to come by- I don't feel so afraid to use mine...

[Kirsten]

I love what you created, so inspiring, and the story behind it.

[alice]

I got mine yesterday when I arrived home. Thank you so much, I love it!

I would definitely like to do this again, it has been very rewarding and fun. Thank you for organising it.

[amandamonkey]

Sarah - Thank you so much for the marvelous print and for organizing this very fun and very rewarding and very inspiring swap. I hope to take part in another one soon.

[Toni]

This gocco swap was amazing! Everyone made such beautiful prints! When oh when will you be doing another!? I'm positive I want to take part in the next one.