New monotype demo video (kitty cameo)

Whoa! It's been a little while since I've posted anything here. Today I've got another video for you. I have a show I'm preparing for in the fall and I have plans to do a bunch of new monotypes for it. Here's the first print in the series I've planned. Stay tuned for more.

If you watch until about the 4:20 mark you'll see my cat making an appearance. I dubbed music over the video so you don't hear me talking to the cat trying to persuade her not to jump up on my ink pallet. Instead she fell asleep on my press while waiting for some attention. I had to kick her off when I wanted to print but she was persistent. I hope you enjoy it.

Here's my new iPad tri-pod mount I made. The other one fell apart. This one works way better and it's made from a metal letter holder I already had. I just had to make a screw-hole in the centre of it to attach it to the tri-pod.

My submission to this year's Wingtip Press Leftovers

I just sent off this little linocut dragon to this years Wingtip Press's Leftovers. This has been a great fundraiser for hunger relief and I've participated in it for the past three years.  Do take a look at previous entries.

Two trial proof's are available in the shop.

This image has been floating around in my sketchbook and computer for a little while now and I was happy to finally get it out and onto paper. I cut it into thin lino and printed it with my press. I used to hand-burnish all my linos onto thin paper because they were always mounted on blocks but it's been so much easier to use the press.You can see a short video I did of proofing the print on my press here.

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

  What do you think of my Valentine's for this year? I did this one for the kids classroom exchange. I wasn't able to get cards done for the shop though. She's cute though, don't you think?

Still on the hunt.

Sorry I haven't posted that frequently but I've been feeling a little bummed and I've been limiting my time online. The bad mood is thanks to my financial situation. Again. We've been fortunate that where we live, the economy hasn't been as bad as many places. Unfortunately, now we're starting to see the down-turn and the little restaurant I work at is hurting. I've had my hours cut and seen my sales totals go down. I've been looking for new work closer to home but I haven't had any luck. Because I'm much older than most applicants I'm at a pretty big disadvantage. Although I can sell more and provide better service than a newer server, I can't work double shifts, work until 2 am, be on-call at a moments notice and fit into an itty-bitty black dress.  I know I've had this rant before.

Pillows

 Now I don't love serving work and I've always wished to be out of it and making a living at my art but now I'm scared that I can't depend on it. I have so many skills but I don't know whereto apply them so that I can pay the bills. What other ways can I bring in some money? I've been offering cakes out of my home, trying to sell on Etsy, trying to sell locally at shows and shops, and putting things for sale on eBay. Getting hired by someone and getting a paycheque would take a lot of the pressure off of trying to sell my art. So fellow artists.....where have you found work that uses your visual skills? I'm all ears.

Illustration Friday: Wheel

So what do you think of my goofy little sketch for this week's Illustration Friday:Wheel?

This one was done on my iPad very quickly. This time I was able to use a stylus that I had gotten instead of my finger which was much more comfortable. I got the cheapest stylus out there so the nib is too thick for my liking but it will have to do for now.

Run, Hamy, run!