#9 - 30 Prints in 30 Days (Wood Horse Marionette)

"Wood Horse Marionette"

Linocut

4" x 6"(image) 7.5" x 10" (paper)

Water based inks on cream-colored Stonehenge paper

Edition of 4

Available for purchase here.

In an attempt to loosen up and be more expressive, I produce something even more still and geometric.

#8 - 30 Prints in 30 Days (Unicorn Marionette)

"Unicorn Marionette"

Woodcut with hand coloring

Oil based ink and watercolors on Rives BFK

3" x 4" (image) 5.5" x 7.5" (paper)

Available for purchase here.

This marionette reminds me of Sesame Street characters, what with the simple shapes, solid colors, and wide-open eyes and mouth that make up an expression of almost maniacal cheeriness. I have always liked children's puppet shows. There is something magical about a puppeteer performing so convincingly within the natural limitations of his or her craft. It takes real talent and skill to get the audience to either forget or simply not care that they can see the strings, or that they never get to see a character's lower half.

I tried to get this little unicorn bouncing around a bit with his head cocked, as if inviting the viewer to dance along with him. I like the idea that my image of a marionette is carved out of wood (and obviously so), since it parallels the obvious artificial characteristics of real puppets. Maybe puppets can be so endearing because they bring the audience so close to the artist, as there is little mystery as to the mechanics going on, but real mastering in working the mechanics. Elmo is arguably the most famous puppet character ever, but there is nothing special about the actual puppet. For years this plain, red, monster puppet was merely a background character, brought to life by many different puppeteers. It was only when Kevin Clash picked him up and created a voice and laugh and distinct way of moving around that Elmo became the hit he is today with young children. I keep making these horse (okay, in this case unicorn) marionette prints, trying to get one to really come to life. I feel I might be getting closer, but I'm definitely not yet there.

#3 - 30 Prints in 30 Days (Wide-eyed Red Horse Marionette)

"Wide-Eyed Red Horse Marionette"

cardboard and yarn relief print

water based inks on Subi paper

10" x 15" (image and paper)

Available for purchase here.

I'm just playing around with ideas and materials here. I'll be doing that a lot this month I imagine. I don't much like this finished print, especially for the amount of time and effort I put into it. Oh well. I made it, I've learned something from it, and that was the point.

ADDENDUM (Added a day after this was originally posted)

I actually made a second version of this print and didn't bother posting it. But having thought about it for another day, I sort of like it maybe even better than the first one. I'm adding the picture of it and links to where both of these prints can be purchased on my Etsy store. The second version can be purchased here. Enjoy!

#1 - 30 Prints in 30 Days (Red Horse Marionette)

"Red Horse Marionette"

Woodcut (3 color reduction)

2.5" x 4"(image) 5.5" x 7.5" (paper)

Water-based inks on Rives BFK

Edition of 6

Available for purchase here.

In my quest to keep my artist's hand moving, I have been inspired by artists like Sean Starwars and his One Woodcut A Week (20" x 30" each for a total of 52 weeks!) , and Kimberly Kelly Santini's Painting A Dog A Day (for 5 years now - you go, girl!) And of course the many other committed artist/bloggers who have taken on similar ambitious endeavors.

My current life, work, and art-making practice are not conducive long-term commitments, so I came up with a short-term, yet intense project of my own. So here it is: June 2011, I will make 30 prints in 30 days. Oh yes, I can do it! And here I present #1.

I stared at this little horse marionette I've had for years and had wanted to make a print of it for a long time. I finally did it back in March, but I've been unsatisfied with the results. It sort of fell into the category of "pretty pictures." So I've gathered some references of other horse marionettes, and I hope during this month to do a few, more spontaneous images that will hopefully tap into whatever it is that intrigues me about little wooden horses hanging on strings. This first attempt is okay. I like how the white in the eye and strings stand out. But the drawing just isn't expressive enough, and the colors just don't pop the way I think, in retrospect, they should. Ah art-making, so often it feels like just groping around in the dark without even knowing for sure what I'm looking for. But damn it, it's there. I just need to find it.

"Horse Marionette"

8" x 10" (image) 11" x 15" (paper)

Reduction with 2 blocks and some hand coloring, oil based ink and watercolors on Rives BFK

Edition of 4

Print can be purchased here.

A wooden, hand-painted horse marionette hangs on the wall just outside my daughter's bedroom. It was given to me years ago by a friend who found it at a flea market. When I first receive this gift, I untangled the strings, attempted to make the horse walk, and quickly came to appreciate the practice and skill required for competent puppetry. In my possession, this particular puppet is unlikely to ever be used in the manner it was intended. It is a lovely object that hangs on a yellow wall, casting an even deeper yellow shadow. Ironically, when suspended on the wall, the strings and handle that normally would introduce motion appear more like a restraint for the animal. The puppet is beautiful, but frozen. Might as well be a picture.