Printmaking

Handsome Pepe and his Linocut Portrait

pet portrait, Prints, stonetrigger press
Pepe

Beautiful Pete with his handsome portrait

Last Fall, I donated a custom pet portrait to the silent auction fundraiser at the Oakland Animal Services, where my friend Audra is instrumental in the care and placement of kittens and cats. I love to donate my carving and printing skills to raise money while making custom portraits for families. This is the beautiful Pepe, age 15 years young and a handsome boy indeed.

Romy, the human companion to Pepe, won the bid, but somehow we did not connect until winter. A phone number or email was wrong, but eventually, we connected. Romy emailed me several sweet photos and Pepe to work from.

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It usually takes me a month to draw, carve, and print a portrait. But thankfully, Romy was incredibly patient because it took me over four months. Caught up in the COVID-19 epidemic from Brooklyn, and later the Adirondack Mountains where SIP meant I got to stay in the country, yes this was awesome,  but I could not return home where my press was.

I carved a bit each day, making extra fine details since I had time. Because I was slow in completing the project, I felt like it better be extra good. Above is a short clip of me carving the 9″ x 5″ block.

Pepe Linocut

Pepe, linocut block in progress

This is the block at about 80% complete. And finally, it was time, after three months, to drive back to Brooklyn where my press was. I had some beautiful Awagami Factory handmade limited edition Gampi paper for printing Pepe waiting for me.

I was so happy how it printed, how the ink laid on the paper. It was awesome to be back in Brooklyn at home and have my press.  I made an edition of 14, dried it, signed each print, and packages it up.

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I am so thankful to have this opportunity and the extra time to make this linoleum block print of Pete. It was truly an honor.

If you have a printing project in mind or are curious to have a portrait of your pet; dog, cat, turtle, horse, pig, otter,  bear, your name it, I would be happy to talk.

Moth Migration Project Australia

Australia, Bundaberg Regional Gallery, Gympie Regional Gallery, Moth Migration Project, Uncategorized

There are just 10 more days to see the Moth Migration Project installed at Oak Hill Gallery in Mornington, V.I.C Australia. This is the third gallery in six months that the MMP has opened at in Australia. Each site hosted community-based moth making workshops, which either I taught or one of the gallery’s artists, and at times a combination of both.

Hilary_lorenz_Moth+Migration_Project_Oak_Hill_Gallery

Here is a little peek at some of the installation shots from the show.

It has been an exciting six months. I flew to Brisbane at the end of April to install the Moth Migration Project in the Gympie Regional Gallery. Working with the amazing staff and Joolie Gibbs the gallery director, we installed a massive installation in record time. In under a week, the exhibition was up, I had three radio interviews, conducted a workshop and went on a gorgeous hike. Here is a brochure they designed for the exhibition along with public programs.

Gympie_Regional_Gallery_Moth_Migration_Project

I have loads of photos from Gympie, and I will highlight a few here. The gallery itself is massive, it is a beautiful and original School of Arts Building, built in 1905.

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia
Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia
Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia
Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia
Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia
Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia
Moth Migration Project at Gympie Regional Gallery, Australia

 

I then traveled to the Bundaberg Regional Gallery to meet with Jenny Gilbertson. With the help of their volunteers and volunteers from Childers Art Gallery, we installed the exhibition in 2 room and 2 halls. The architecture was much different between Gympie and Bundaberg and we had some fun features to play with.

The exhibition looked fantastic. We crowded the moths tight together from floor to ceiling as you can see here:

Moth Migration Project at Bundaberg Regional Gallery
Moth Migration Project at Bundaberg Regional Gallery
Moth Migration Project at Bundaberg Regional Gallery
Moth Migration Project at Bundaberg Regional Gallery
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Moth Migration Project at Bundaberg Regional Gallery

I am still exhausted but so pleased with these exhibitions. It was a thrill to be back in Australia, I had not been there in almost ten years when I was in residence at Lake St. Clair in Tasmania. I see a lot more time in Australia in my near future.

I want to thank everyone for coming out, for being a part of this massively growing project. If you are interested in learning more about the MMP, please see the website at mothmigrationproject.net 

Moth Migration Project Opens in Canada

Moth Migration Project, Prints, Uncategorized

sm_hilarylorenzposter

I have been in the lower48  less than a month, and I have yet to write up my lifechanging backpacking extravaganza on the Chilkoot Trail about my Artist Residency with the Yukon Art Center. But until I do that, I have another adventure in Canada to tell you about,  this one in New Brunswick.

Opening on September 28, 2018, at the Sunbury Shores Art and Nature Centre is a new Moth Migration Installation. This exhibit focuses on artist’s handmade moths from Canada and Maine.

hilary_lorenz_print_workshop14

Also, I will host a Moth Migration Printsocial at Sunbury Shores and I invite you to drop by the gallery on Saturday to print and add your own moths to the exhibit. I will be bringing my hand press up from New York. I look forward t seeing you.

The Moth Migration Projected is a crowd-sourced collection of handprinted, drawing and cut paper moths exhibited in multi-sensory installations. Choosing moths, a nocturnal pollinator, as the vehicle for cross-pollination and international exchanged, I use social media to invite people to create paper moths native to their geographic location.  To learn more go to: http://mothmigrationproject.net

Be the first to make a tax deductable donation!

Moth Migration Project

Moth_Migration_Donate
I have tremendous news, the Moth Migration Project is now a fiscally sponsored project of the Brooklyn Arts Council!

To get this fundraising campaign started:

  • The first 10 people to donate $250 or more will received an 8″ x 10″ signed and numbered drypoint moth etching!
  • The first 25 people to donate $100 or more will receive an 8″ x 10″ signed and dated linoleum block moth print.
  • The first 100 people to donate $50 will receive a commemorative MMP postcard.

This remarkable news means that your financial contribution is a tax-deductible charitable donation that goes directly to support this project.  Tax-deductible donations will have an enormous impact on MMP’s  future. Administered by the Brooklyn Arts Council, just click here and go to  Give Lively to donate. 

The Moth Migration Project spans all cultures, ages, countries. It is a tool for community building in both physical and digital worlds. The Moth Migration Project is about the spirit of belonging, and it encourages personal creativity and human connection. I am inviting you to be a part of that relationship.

The Moth Migration Project is a massive undertaking. With your donations I will:

  • Offer free community moth printmaking workshops worldwide specifically aimed at the underserved  from young children to older adults.
  • Hire “Moth Ambassadors” to create community in their local areas.
  • Mount interactive moth exhibitions that encourage  public engagement
  • Launch the expanded MMP website to show off every artists moths, and make it searchable!
  • Develop grade appropriate curriculum for learning communities in the environmental sciences and arts.
  • Build a physical archive to preserve the moths so curators may use to create additional traveling exhibitions.
  • Foster community spirit with a  love and appreciation of the arts and sciences

To date, I received incredible support from Speedball Art, Inc. who generously donated ink, rollers, and papers for printmaking workshops. Susan Martin, Founding Directors of Some Serious Business, gave beautifully written public relations and marketing support for the first exhibition of the Moth Migration Project. I received tremendous support from friends who counted, stamped, cataloged and installed the moths. I could have never done this first year without their big-hearted help.

Now, I am asking for your financial support to launch the next phase of this vital project. Just click here and go to  Give Lively to donate. 

Your donations will further my work in building the physical and digital community spirit that fosters genuine connections and engages public participation representative of the Moth Migration Project. Help me to create shared experiences that embrace and celebrate mutual respect for personal uniqueness, creativity and the nature around us.

Financial contribution is not required in any way to join the MMP. If you, your family, your community or school want to join the project and become part of an international movement, just click the “join” link and follow the directions.

My Sincerest Thank You.

Hilary Lorenz

 

Moth Migration – 2nd update

Exhibitions

Sorry I have no pretty pictures today. I have been teaching the last two days and did not have time to print. But I have a new crop of questions that I want to get out. You may have one of these questions on your mind.

Do you want the name of the moths?
Yes, please tell me the moth species. You may write it on the card with your name and address when sending in your moths.

Does my moth have to look exactly like the real thing?
No, not at all, you may take all the liberty you like.

Can I send you 5 different moths?
Yes

Can I send you more than 5?
Yes.  My goal is 40,000 + I am hand printing about 4,000 myself between now and May.  I will print each myself but get help in cutting them out.

Does the paper have to be two sided?
No, it does not. The paper can be just black or white or grey without any detail. It can be detailed on one side or both if you really want to make that,  but it will not be well seen on the bottom. Because I am making several thousand myself, I am using old prints and drawings as my moth paper. I am printing on the “clean” side so there will be texture and marking on the bottom. It is also essentially “free” paper since I already have it.

Does the size you listed 1″ to 6″ include the wings?
Yes, that size is the total for the largest areas of the moth, whether it be the height or the width. That way it will be into an A4 envelope.

What exactly do I need to be a moth ambassador?
Moth Ambassadors are people not living in the US and who would like to gather a group of 5 other people to make moths, but shipping from their country could be cost prohibited. I do not want to deny people the opportunity to participate simply because of postage. Moths must be all packaged together from one location  in an A3 or A4 sized envelope and send international standard mail, no express or special services. Please confirm you want to be a moth ambassador with me. I will need a copy of the the receipt of postage from the post office. (This is for my tax purposes since I am self funding it)  Receipt can be send via email.

As always, I am deeply thankful for your participation and so excited to see how all this will unfold. More photos will come this weekend.

Please email your intention to participate and questions to: mothmigration@gmail.com

moth_migration

 

 

Smokey, from Start to Finish

Small Print Store, stonetrigger press

I am working on a super fun project creating a portrait of Smokey a beautiful Weimaraner rescue pup who lives in Michigan. I photographically detailed the entire process for you to see, but especially for Smokey’s human companions. I know this girl is very special.

Hilary_Lorenz_starting_point

I start with a collection of photographs provided by Smokey’s family.  I blow some up so that I can see detail, making copies both light and dark to see texture. Then I start the drawing onto a 7″ x 5″ linoleum block

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_block_before_carve

This is the block before I carved it. I draw in a range of lines to use as a guide, but eventually my carving tool becomes my “drawing” tool.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_carved_block

I use a variety of carving tools to bring out the details of the drawing. I carve away everything that I want to appear white.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_drawing_in

While I am carving, I also pencil in lines, and brush over the surface so that it is easier to see what is cut and what is left.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_mixing_ink

Once I am ready to print, I mix up oil based ink until I get the color I want.

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I use a brayer to apply ink to the linoleum block, making sure to cover the surface evenly.

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Once the block is inked up, I carefully place it on the press bed.

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A sheet of paper is carefully placed on top the linoleum block. I have a “template” in place that is my guidelines for placement

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_crank_press

I use this handle to crank the press bed under the rollers thus applying pressure to the block and transferring the ink to the paper.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_examine_print

Here is the print side by side with the block on the press bed.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_block_out

Here is where it gets really interesting. I wanted to put a jacket on Smokey, so I took the first print, cut it up so that I would have a pattern of the jacket. I then reversed it, since everything in printmaking is mirror image and used it as a stencil to block out the ink. Meaning, I would ink the block, put this paper over where the jacket should be and print it. This will leave an open spot for me to put the jacket.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_block_out_paper

This is the block with stencil on the left, and the print on the right.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_paper_cut

This is a second pattern I used to cut the Awagami Japanese hemp paper for the jacket.

Hilary_Lorenz_Weimer_paper_check

I am sizing up the  paper cut jacket before I adhere it to the print

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And here is Smokey in her fine green jacket.

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And in her fancy red jacket. I think she is looking especially fine. 

Paper used: Awagami Factory, Japan, handmade Shiramine Select, 110g
Collage paper: Awagami Factory, Japan, Shin Inbe, color hemp paepr
Ink: Speedball Oil based ink
Press: Takach
I use a variety of carving tools from Switzerland, Japan, and the Czech Republic.
If you read this far, and you want a portrait made of your pet, you can order one through my Etsy Store, at StonetriggerPress. 

 

 

 

LMCC Process Space Resideny

LMCC Process Space, Uncategorized

NYHarbor_lmcc_resident_Lorenz..jpg
Look at this glorious view of the New York Harbor. Five days a week I have the opportunity to jump aboard the Lt. Samuel S. Coursen ferry at the Govenor’s Island terminal for my seven minute ride to my beautiful new studio, where I am a participant in  of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Process Space Program. A residency that one gets invited to apply for through only after an anonymous nomination. Thank you sincerely to my nominator!!
3_mcc_resident_Lorenz.

I love the ride on the ferry, while short, the views are fantastic.
Once on the island, it is less than a two minute walk to my studio. I moved in today, bringing with me a few of my friends.
studio_view_lmcc_resident_Lorenz2_studio_view_lmcc_resident_Lorenz.
Of course all this water has me thinking about boats. I had the original idea of building a canoe while in residence, and I just may start that but in miniature form and with the help of a kit. By July I will have a life size sea-worthy boat to paddle my way back to Brooklyn. Not have any idea of the laws and safety needed for the NY waterways, I found a boating safety course in April. But in the meantime since I only had paper, I made this tiny canoe today and had fun taking photographs of it. I am already dreaming about being on the open water. toy_boat_lmcc_resident_Lorenz

Original Watercolor Collage, 7″ x 5″ Dancing Bear

Drawing
Original Watercolor, 5

Original Watercolor, 5″ x 7″ with Collage – Click to Purchase

This could be my favorite after the canoe. It is a weird and whacky dancing bear with a big coyote looking on from the side.

The bear is a linoleum block print that is cut out and collaged onto 300 pound Arches Watercolor Paper. The coyote is a digital archival print that I had made for my image transfers onto journals, but instead he made it into this artwork.  The yellow-ish tan paper with red lines is at the bottom is  vintage Italian  paper. The brown paper with black lines is linoleum printed cut up and collages. I then hand drawn watercolor with my favorite Schmincke super high quality natural gums, water-soluble  pigments.

Artwork comes unframed, this is only for reference.

Artwork comes unframed, this is only for reference.

This is what he would look like in a standard black wood frame. I think this is my favorite as it brings out the black of the bear.  But I also have an example in white. Frames are not included they are only for reference.

frame is only for reference

frame is only for reference

I like the white white frame. The dancing bear would look super cute in a paneled study, a kids room, a country house, cabin or urban chic apartment. It is perfect  for a wall that demands a smaller size artwork, image 7″ x 5″ displayed in a 12″ x 9″ frame. He is now available on my Etsy Store by clicking here.

Sold-Original Watercolor with Linocut Collage, Beaver -30 DAY CHALLENGE – #7

Drawing
Original Watercolor, 5

Original Watercolor, 5″ x 7″ with Collage – StoneTrigger Press ETsy

Ah, the beaver, those semi-aquatic, primarily nocturnal rodents, master engineers that dam up rivers and streams sure are cute little critters. My dogs Conrad and Homer look very much like beavers when they are out swimming.

The beaver is a linoleum block print that is cut out and collaged onto 300 pound Arches Watercolor Paper. I then hand drawn watercolor with my favorite Schmincke super high quality natural gums, water-soluble  pigments. At the top are hand cut shapes from vintage Italian  paper.

Black Frame Not included with artwork

Black Frame Not included with artwork

This is what he would look like in a standard black wood frame. I think this is my favorite. But I also have an example in white. Frames are not included they are only for reference.

White frame not included

White frame not included

Here is the green and yellow drawing in a white frame. He would look super cute in a kids room, a country house, your sea-side cottage, or a wall that demands a smaller size artwork, image 7″ x 5″ displayed in a 12″ x 9″ frame. He is now available on my Etsy Store by clicking here.

Sold-Original Watercolor Drawing with Collage, Seamore, The Red Eared Slider

Drawing
Original Watercolor, 5

Original Watercolor, 5″ x 7″ with Collage – Click to Purchase

He is back, Seamore the Red Eared Slider, but this time better than ever in an original watercolor drawing. Seamore is a linoleum block print that is cut out and collaged onto 300 pound Arches Watercolor Paper. I then layer up hand drawn watercolor with my favorite Schmincke super high quality natural gums, water-soluble resins, and pigments. On the right are two stripes of vintage Italian hand printed paper. He is gorgeous!

Original_Watercolor_Turtle_Framed_Lorenz

White Frame Not included with artwork

This is what he would look like in a standard white wood frame. I think this is my favorite. But I also have an example in black. Frames are not included they are only for reference.

Black Frame Not included with artwork

Black Frame Not included with artwork

This is all part of my July 30 day watercolor challenge and it is a a fun challenge. It is exciting to have the pressure of getting each one made and working in such volume forces me to take some risks, and risk in art is always good! As usual this is available at my Stonetrigger Press Etsy Store.