I’ve been waiting for this date… August 31.
Today is the day I want to show you something I created last Summer.
Why I choose today in particular to publish it will come clear in this post.
In July, I experimented with monotypes, which is a type of printmaking
that produces unique prints. I learned to make monotypes way back
when I studied art but had not used the technique ever since – I just did not
think about it because I did not have the equipment (i.e. press, block ink).
I saved the art I made in the eighties and I looked it up to show you some
of the monotypes I created in art school – it must be dated around 1985/’86
(I never dated my work. I still don’t – do you? I think I will start dating
my art from now on to avoid puzzling and guessing in the future…)
Model – monotype study (1985-1986)
(Size: 32,5 x 27 cm – 12.8 x 10.6 inch)
..
Birds – monotype study (1985-1986)
(Size: 25 x 30 cm – 9.8 x 11.8 inch)
..
Birds – monotype + acrylic paint (1985-1986)
(Size: 50 x 65 cm – 19.7 x 25.6 inch)
..
..However, there are lots of ways to make monotypes and when I started
to try out techniques that don’t necessarily need a press or block ink
– in this case I used a gelatin plate and acrylic paint – I fell in love with
monotyps again instantly!
Monotype is a technique with which you produce a big stack of prints
in no time. I experimented with different shapes and colours and had
tremendous fun!
This is just a portion of the amount of ”experiments and basic’ pages
I was left with after two afternoons play.
When you look at this stack, you will see a lot of pages that contain a circle.
The circle made me think of the moon… especially that one monotype that
I immediately called ‘blue moon’…
… and now we come to today’s date and the fact why I waited so long before
showing the art piece – you guessed? Yep, today August 31 is BLUE MOON!
“The definition of a Blue Moon has changed over the years (…) However, the commonly accepted definition of a Blue Moon is simple: it is a full moon that rises twice in one month. Due to our calendar days, sometimes the days of the month are less than the cycle of the moon, which is 29.5 days. This can cause the moon to rise twice in one month, near the first and the last days of the same month. It is said that blue moons happen every 33 months or about every 3 years. This relatively rare occurrence has spawned the saying “once in a blue moon”.
A Blue Moon cannot happen in February because the calendar month never has enough days. Furthermore, sometimes the occurrence of a blue moon depends on your time zone.” ~ From Moonconnection ~
Blue Moon
(Size: 15 x 21 cm – 5.9 x 8.3 inch) Gelatin monotype with acrylic paint - watersoluble crayons - sharpie
..
Night sky spectacle.
Clouds shift. She reveals herself
Once in a blue moon
..
Because of the last sentence there is no translation in Dutch
The haiku is linked to ‘Haiku my Heart Friday’
This event is hosted by the wonderful Rebecca and you can
find a list of all the other participants on Recuerda Mi Corazon
I plan on making a ‘moon series’ with these monotypes but the idea
has to grow some more. For now, the stack lays patiently waiting.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post and now that I digged up my big
drawing folder from the attic, I might as well photograph and show
some more ‘oldies’ every now and then… that is, if you’re in for it.
Tell me, wanna see more?
I wish you all a lovely weekend.
Don’t forget to look up to the sky tonight!
Zoveel mogelijkheden! Mooie printjes zijn het geworden. Gebruikte je een “echte” gelatineplaat of de kant-en-klare versie?
groet, Annie
Oh, die blauwe maan is mooi!!! Geweldig!
Ik snap nog niet helemaal hoe je blog in elkaar zit.
The blue moon seemed to play havoc at work yesterday but it was a lovely evening!!! Just as lovely are your art! Have a grand day! Cathy
Ohhhhhhhh I am LOVING your blue moon!!! Very cool!!!!
I love Grandmother Moon. Yours are exquisite! I especially like the reference to “play” when you describe doing this type of art. The word work just wouldn’t have worked as your narrative describes your joy.
You are a fantastic artist. And with this Blue Moon, Fall comes closer and the daylight hours are shorter. Time for more “Play”.
Much Peace to You
Wat een unieke en geweldige prints Marit!
Ga je ze verwerken tot kaarten of gebruik je deze voor je art journal ?
I want to see all that you want to share! Beautiful art and the haiku is just perfect!!! It is always a treat to visit you♥
yes oh yes…. I want to see more….your prints are so lovely! Now I want to go get all painty and messy.
Thank you for sharing!
There’s something so magical about a blue moon…your haiku captures that so incredibly today…truly awesome! I LOVE the black abd white birds so much…and yes, I always date my work.
Ah, a blue moon. Spectacle indeed.
Wonderful post and I too am amoured with the Blue Moon and your monoprint is exquisite! Wow! ~ great haiku ~ (A Creative Harbor)
Oh, Beautiful Marit.
My summer has been amazing but so busy and I feel like Blogland has been lower on the list that usual. But I miss you. 😉
I love your monoprints !!!The moon repeat is beautiful. I could so see a gorgeous series of these. Perhaps with an amazing haiku scribbled in the corner ? Just a thought, as this one about our lady of the Blue Moon, blue me away. Hee !
Sending you big, big love from across the sea. I will think of you when I look at the moon tonight !
Marit!!!!! I love, love, love this! And to see the progression from the 80’s to now, is awesome. Instead of calling them monoprints… I want to call them moonprints, in honor of your creative muse revealing herself on this auspicious day! I always love seeing what emerges for you in your creative, beautiful genius. I will also be thinking of you tonight as I blow a kiss to the blue moon of August! XOXOXO
Your blue moon is beautiful.. Thank you for sharing it and also the story behind it. I didn’t know about this and will be sure to look up tonight and think of you.
Wonderful art and a luscious stack of papers for future art too!
Wow love your pages, the blue moon one is beautiful.
Oooh I love your colorful monoprint papers-I don’t know if this was done with a gelli plate but I sure do want one! Your blue moon piece is so lovely as is your haiku.
LOVE the monotypes especially the blue moon.
Hallo Marit, wat weer een fantastische bijdrage voor Haiku My Heart. Een mooie haiku …
Very well done Marit, this haiku on Blue Moon … just wonderful
I love the Blue Moon especially. Awesome creativity.
Yes, Marit, I really, really enjoyed your post today….very inspiring.
Awesome print!!!!!
you have stirred a treasured memory of a night sleeping beneath the stars and yes an august blue moon years and years ago camping in the sierra mountains. the day, warm with that golden changing light of late summer, the flash of bronze aspens quivering in the breeze. morning arrived with the first frost of autumn.
yes…more of your art from yesteryear will be as welcome as this memory i am reveling in right now.
thank you for your blue moon beauty!
Really lovely to look back on your work, wonderful prints! The new ones are very fun…and yes! that blue moon was shining on me last night, in and out of the clouds all night long.
She shines, that blue moon, and is definitely worth looking at!
The Color of Fire
Prachtig en wat een geweldige voorraad papier
Isn’t monoprinting great fun? So glad you rediscovered it and shared your new stash of prints! The blue moon is wonderful and makes me want to break out the gelatin again.
Love your gorgeous blue moon and I’m very glad the clouds shifted so you could see it.
I don’t date my work and I always say I’m gonna but I don’t. 🙁 The moon is awesome! I have a great love affair with the moon. I had to stay up till 1am to see her beauty, and I didn’t mind waiting one bit!!!
I love your original monotypes!! I would love to learn how to do them. I don’t know how a gelitan plate and acrylic paint would do it. Your pages are so wonderful!! I would love to make all of those backgrounds in a weekend.
And of course, your Haiku is great!!!
Thanks for visiting me and your sweet compliments all the time!! You are a great friend to me Marit. I am so sorry I’ve been so unavailable lately. My boys start school Wednesday. Hopefully that will give me a bit more time!!!
Creative hugs to you my friend!!
xxD
Now I must get the materials together for gelatin plate monotypes – you’ve inspired me – and I don’t have a clue how to do it, but I will have fun learning. Nice Blue Moon print and haiku.