making lino prints

I have joined Marlee Grace in her 12 week book course for ‘The Artist’s Way’, a book by Julia Cameron.* The book was standing in my bookcase and I had worked through it around 20 years ago already, but I loved the idea of going through it with a group this time. I started early, because I thought it a good companion for my summer of recovery.

It unlocked a wave of writing, drawing and lino printing. The Poppy print, I’ve shown already a few post earlier, gave me a lot of joy and training of my small fiber nerves in my hands.

Since then, I’ve made a print of a young sparrow. We have many sparrow nests in our huge cypress tree and it’s a funny sight to see the fluffy, clumsy young on the garden path beneath the cypress.

Last week, I made a print of the moon rising above the Mediterranean Sea. I miss the sea, and as soon as I’m well enough, I would like to go again. Making a print was really lovely.

I love the combination of the Lino print and watercolor. I use an oil based printing ink, which repels the watercolor, so the lines stay crisp.

All the cutting and precise painting is really good for the coordination in my hands, they grow stronger and using them gets easier. And I love the creative process of thinking, drawing, cutting and painting so much.

Somehow, seeing this as not only creative work, but also as recovery work, has tricked me into spending a lot of time with making art. I tend to put art on a low priority spot in my short day, but at the moment, it’s an important part of my recovery. So, I push myself to do something each day, and allow it to take up time and space.

I will use the finished prints in a raffle for paid subscribers at the end of July, or you can buy one directly. The prints will cost €50 and postage. I will donate €25 for each print to the Dutch Foundation for Refugees.

*You can still join the course by becoming a paid subscriber of Monday Monday by Marlee Grace. We’re in week three of twelve weeks, and I highly recommend it!