Since my day in Colne I’ve been working on translating my experience into visuals. As I mentioned in my summary of the residency day I didn’t want to simply produce a series of works depicting the town and the landscapes/architecture that I saw. I do intend to use the sketches that I made at some point but my initial creative outputs have been produced in response to the photographs and written accounts that I made.
In an attempt to step away from rigid observational drawings I’ve been looking more at shapes, patterns and textures using collage and solid blocks of ink, paint or pencil to create a foundation. I’ve then been layering marks and painted lines on top to produce experimental compositions that echo elements of Colne but are much looser and more personal.
These mixed media works use coloured papers, inks, crayons etc. but I’ve been flattening the images by photocopying in black and white as I’d prefer to add colour during the printmaking process if I feel that it’s relevant. Below are photos of the black and white versions:
On Saturday I began developing these visual into plates using drypoint and carborundum. I combined elements to create new compositions or simplified and revised existing images. I produced six plates on Saturday working in a much quicker way than I normally would. Compared to the residency day in Colne I felt much more at ease and really enjoyed the process of working without too much thought or rigidity. I started to add in new marks and lines and found that the images developed even further. I made changes to the plates after printing and took the time to look closely at each print considering how to make improvements. I’m back at Hot Bed Press on Tuesday to continue printing and possibly make some more plates and on Wednesday I’m travelling to Nelson for my second residency day.
