Cliche … with and without the Verre ……
You gotta watch out, skulls are sooo cliche. But what about a skull, with a gear, lightning, with crease and etching marks? I really don't know, nor do I care because it works for what I am going for.
Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to layered plates
Productive….
A productive morning yesterday @edinburghprintmakers doing some photo-plate lithography printing. I was very happy with black and white results and looking forward to trying some layers in the near future.
All together now…
Now here are all three of the versions I have posted of this particular image. I guess you could say steps but each one has it's own individual unique qualities.
From left to right - (L) - Cliche Verre/Sun Print - Ilford Fiber Glossy Paper exposed to a plate consisting of Carbon, alcohol, ink, engraving and film
(C) - Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to layered plates
(R) - Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to etched layered plates
Part three of three
And this is the final version of this image .... or is it? I swear every time I look at it there is a part I wan't to change.
Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to layered plates
Part two of three
So this is an image I have been working with for a while now, and this is the second "usable" version out of several. I always end up doing multiples of the same image because there is always something I wan't to change, enhance or remove. For the most part it is a combination of removing one part only to add another. Such as etching which removes material and image from the base but adds the texture and mark marking of etching.
Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to layered plates
Past, Present, Future Unknown
So here we have the original Image I made several months ago that I then used to create a photo plate lithography print that I shared the other day. The "base" of this image is a vintage portrait I purchased as part of a job lot years ago, and what caught my interest in it was that it looks ALOT like me in my early 20's if I had a comb over haircut lol. So no relation, a portrait that is over 100 years old, and a total chance that I came to own it, just an intriguing thing.
This was made by directly exposing a four layer plate to a 4x5" colour negative (think it was Kodak Portra)
Did a thing….
So this past weekend I took a 3 day photo plate lithography course at Edinburgh Printmakers. It was a great class and I really enjoyed learning a new process. I have been looking for a way to make limited edition hand made prints and this may be it! Anyways here are some of the results of that course, enjoy!
It Will Destroy You
So I generally struggle with titles, and tend to avoid them rather than force them. If it comes naturally and fits then I am all for it otherwise I stick with more of a sequence of descriptions, dates or numbers in a series. And don’t try to give me that shit about anything is a “title” bullshit, save it for art school. Anyways this one has a title and a bit of writing I did that suits it, so if you feel like delving into the dribble of a madman then knock yourself out.
There is a common idea, misconception, stereotype whatever you want to call it about mind alteration and art. But like many stereotypes and misconceptions there does lye a glimmer of truth. The tortured artist, however in reality the artist is ultimately tortured by themselves. There are many different ways in which the "torture" occurs, but what I'm going to say is solely about the torture that is inflicted through substance abuse.
Are you more creative when under the influence? The answer is pretty hypothetical, and probably includes a heavy dose of narcissism. However the effects of your chosen poison do “loosen” your mind and your reality. I will not say frees your mind as many would, because freedom implies escape. And while the substance may seem to provide an escape it is really just providing a cage outside of your current perceived cage. Freedom also implies an escape from consequences. And I think we all know by now that freedom isn't "free" there is always consequences.
And consequences are what ultimately tortures the artist with regards to substance abuse.
With whatever it is you are on, you probably find yourself more "creative", for a while at least. Your inhibitions are laxed, your perception of morals, good, bad, what's up and what's down are all in flux as you are no longer constrained by the anxiety of over thinking. So yes for a time you are more creative, you are outside of your box. And I say your box because it is exactly that, it is your box, it is your life, and everyone has their own box.
And the thing about your box is that you have a symbiotic relationship with it, it Is your life and you need it to survive as much as it needs you to exist.
So the longer you are outside of your box the more everything within it suffers. Your relationships, your dreams, goals and your mind. Ideas flow free and great ideas come and go but as time goes on you find yourself forgetting more than you are remembering. And while your inspiration may come from being outside of the box your art lives in your box. So it too sufferers, and in the end along with your mind will die.
So yes the torture is consequences, so while your substance may grant you a heightened sense of perception or a creative edge temporarily, and it is temporary, in comparison with your lifespan. In the end the consequence is that it will destroy you.
It Will Destroy You - Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to three layered plates
Some things change, some things don’t
Around 18 years between these two photos. Left 2022, right 2004 (ish), a total lifetime of changes and experiences between the two for me personally. For the building .... not so much .... and the graffiti is still pretty shite lol.
Meh, nothings perfect….
Been working on this one for a while, not perfect but I don't think it ever would be ... so here it is.
Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to three layered plates
Cosmic….
Was messing about in the darkroom on Tuesday and ended up with this. I have no idea what I was going for just wanted to try a few things out that had been on my mind. It has a definite cosmic vibe, and a world within the shattered void comes to mind.
4x5" Colour negative, alcohol, india ink, and agate slice exposed via micro explosion
Get on with it…..
Of two minds today, one saying "get writing about the work, say stuff, important stuff, but in 200 words or less cause thats the rules for this one" Other mind "Just shut up and make something"
Think I am going to go with the second mind.
Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to three layered plates
Quiet time…
Managed to get back to Street Level Photoworks for a quieter view of the 2022 open. It was great to just take my time and take it all in, and there is allot to take in. Here is my work along with several other amazing artist photographers.
The good and the bad….
It has taken the good, the bad and the ugly events in your life to get you where you are today. Then you have to rethink it, relive it and re imagine it. To get it into a shape or form that you can then print.
Cliche Verre print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to three layered plates
Remember, Remember….. Go to the show!
Happy to say I will have a couple images on display at the annual Street Level Photoworks show along with many other amazing artists and photographers.
Vintage memories part …. whatever
More along the lines of the previous "vintage memories" works. A combination of collage and cliche verre.
Cliche Verre style print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to three layered plates.
Stuff in the works …
Happy to say that I have had two works accepted into Street Level Photoworks annual show which will be on display towards the end of this month. No spoilers though, so here is something new and completely different.
Cliche Verre style print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to three layered plates
Memories….
Vintage memories and genetic decay ....
Cliche Verre style print created from a 4x5" colour negative exposed directly to three layered plates.
Are we now?
I suppose "We are all cosmic decay" is far less comforting and poetic ....
Cliche Verre Print - 4x5" Colour negative directly exposed to a plate consisting of Carbon, alcohol, ink, engraving and film