linocut

Renewal Exhibition at the F Project in Warrnambool

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In August 2024 I exhibited in a group show with the South West Printmakers. The exhibition was themed ‘renewal’.

Renewal – an instance of resuming something after an interruption.

I focused on this meaning of renewal with my artist book, Our Blackbird Family. When I underwent chemotherapy and radiation for my Stage 4 lung cancer, I suffered badly from “chemo fog.” I could not think clearly, work out how to make things, develop ideas, or compose complex drawings. I was scared for a while that it would be permanent.

Artist books became one of the tools I used to get my brain working again; the other was embroidery. These activities helped me regain my confidence. I had to think about the story, the images, the structure of the book, and then create it. I completed bookbinding tutorials online and made dummy books to practice.

Time is also a factor. The binding method I chose for this book, the Blizzard Fold, is a technique I tried a year ago and could not figure out. This year, I completed it. Using this technique for this book is a celebration for me that my brain is getting better.

When I was told I was terminal during COVID my world became my family and home. So I looked close to home for the idea. The book’s subject matter is inspired by the blackbird family that comes back each year to rear their babies under the eaves of our outdoor room. It has given our family immense pleasure to watch the babies emerge from their shells, grow up, and leave the nest—just like my children are doing.

Artist Book: Our Blackbird Family

Illustrated Linocuts on Archers Paper with Blizzard Fold.

Our Blackbird Family – Artist Book

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I have been creating an artist book about the Blackbird Family that shares our house. They have babies every year. Watching the eggs hatch and the babies grow has been a delight for our family.

I am nearly finished. The 13 lino images have been cut and printed. Now I need to bind them. I will use the Blizzard Binding method to create 3 artists’ books. I have also created three box sets. I will show you the finished product when completed.

Warrnambool Botanical Gardens print

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I am back! After a two-year break. I have been battling stage 4 Lung Cancer and bone cancer. The treatments made my head foggy and it was hard to create anything worthwhile for a long time. I am happy to say I am back in the studio, enjoying myself greatly and creating again. Here is my first print off the press this year.

This print is of the Garden Manager House in the Warrnambool Botanical Gardens. I was renting this house when I met my husband. So it has personal significance for our family.

Videos of my printmaking process

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A few years ago I had several videoograhpers create videos about myself, my art and printmaking processes.

This is a video that Jack Wilkins created in his Warrnambool Art Interview Collection in September, 2016.

Adam Merritt made this video of me working in my studio. He did a fabulous job. I have just uploaded it to Youtube.

The video goes through a little of my history and it shows my creative process. What interests me creatively. It shows me going through the linocutting printmaking process from the initial idea to the final print.