We Rise Together -by Shelby
WE RISE TOGETHER
“You will rise by lifting others.” - Robert G. Ingersoll
When times are bleak we seize the smallest glimmer of hope wherever we can encounter it. I find myself in the midst of such times. For me, turning to my Art is a way of trying to make sense of what is clearly chaos.
I started my journey in Art as a printmaker. The mechanics of cutting a woodblock or prepping a stone always fills me with the comforting feeling of whispered anticipation. Working with the Speedball Lino Cutter and Speedycarve block was like visiting an old friend. And the timing couldn’t be better.
I drew simple butterfly shapes on to the Speedyblock as I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to carve. I must say, it was like pushing a warm knife through butter. Now that I am familiar with the block, I am looking forward to using it again on more finely detailed work. I tried both a conventional stamp pad and acrylic paint to print the image. Both were successful, but I preferred the acrylic paint finish. When dried, I coloured the butterflies using Twinkling H20 watercolours. I love their shimmer and rich hue…keeping true colour even when dry.
I love the variety and durability of the Artistcellar stencils. Adding to my Strathmore Journal, I grabbed the Halftone Dots and Seafoam stencils. I wanted to create a feeling of randomness. I allowed the stencils to drop to the paper without positioning them. My selection of acrylics was as accidental.
When all of the elements were complete, I scanned and began the final composition.
It is impossible to ignore the events surrounding us. The implications are global. But through it all, my spirit is renewed. Each time I see a new group of concerned individuals lifting their voices in unison, I know we are seizing the essence of what makes us truly American. Like soaring butterflies, our differences are celebrated. And we will only rise when we support and lift each other.
MATERIALS USED:
- ARTISTCELLAR STENCILS: HALFTONE DOTS, SEAFOAM
- HAND CUT STENCIL: DIAMONDS
- PUNCHINELLA
- PLAID FOLKART METALLIC ACRYLICS: Rose, Rose Shimmer, Plum, Aquamarine,
- Antique Gold, Amethyst, Blue Topaz, Royal Gold, Inca Gold, Champagne, Seafoam, Black
- REEVES ACRYLICS: Gold, Rose Red
- TWINKLING H2O’s – Summer Fun
- SPEEDBALL LINO CUTTER
- SPEEDBALL SPEEDYCARVE BLOCK
- ARTLINE STAMP PAD – Black
- NATURAL SPONGE
- PALETTE KNIFE
- PRESENTATION PAPER - MATTE
- STRATHMORE Mixed-Media Visual Journal 300 Series- 5.5" x 8.5"
- DIGITAL IMAGES – Purchased & Created
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