Well THIS BITCH ran eleventy-eleven point eleventy-eleven miles today, which is pretty dang cool. That is a personal distance PR/PB for me. I signed up for another 5k. At this point I'm ready to call a 5k a fun run. What I like about the local 5ks that I'm signing up for is that nearly all of them have the money go to benefit some cause or something. So I'm having fun running "competitively," at least getting experience with racing, and my dollars are going to causes I like to support in my local community! This new 5k will be in May (after my upcoming 10k) and it supports my local SPCA. Guess what they're calling it. Go on, guess. Ahahaha. OK, you guys give up? They're calling it...the fast and the furriest 5k. Seriously guys, how could a gal say no to that?? Also, here are some stamps I've been carving. I've been doing a lot of research into printing, as in carved-print-printing, and it's pretty cool. But also a little too serious. I like my stamps. I think I'm going to continue artistically experimenting with a healthy mixture of both approaches. Now excuse me, while I go eat a pizza.
You can get the starter materials real quick! Google “speedball Lino set” and get the handle which should come with a number of blades. You should be able to find this for $10 or under. Most of the time I carve on the speedy-cut pink rubber blocks that you will probably find listed right by the link cutter. They are easy to carve, relatively cheap and fun. I have tried carving using real linoleum at this point and I ripped a 3/4 inch blister open on my middle finger doing so. Linoleum is pretty hard and the speed ball cutters aren’t really designed for it. I really enjoy stamp carving and enthusiastically encourage you to check it out!
You're right. There's tons of really awesome artists and techniques out there, but it can quickly become pretty complex and a lot of work. Have you maybe considered, instead of doing more formal block printing, maybe experimenting with making your own inks?I've been doing a lot of research into printing, as in carved-print-printing, and it's pretty cool. But also a little too serious. I like my stamps. I think I'm going to continue artistically experimenting with a healthy mixture of both approaches.
You are bringing my whole life full circle, I made ink from pokeberries and wrote using quills from our local domesticated geese when I was a very, very cool and popular early teen. Funny how things work out!
Lady, you're just legit. Don't let anyone let you think otherwise. I saw a few videos on dye making, which came from watching videos about block printing on fabric actually, and have loved the idea. Ink making looks a heck of a lot more accessible and I've been mulling over giving it a shot.