I recently had the chance to try my hand at Gelli printing, a form of printmaking which encourages creativity whilst using relatively simple and inexpensive materials.
The original Gelli Plates are made by US firm Gelli Arts from non-toxic, vegan-friendly synthetic gelatine but this brand name has now become a catch-all term. Think Biro or Hoover, but for monoprinting!
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Shop owner, Karen, had engaged art tutor, Fiona, from CreateWithUs to show us the ropes.
We inked up the squidgy pads with acrylic paint then aesthetically arranged a selection of pressed leaves on top. Clean paper was gently smoothed over this by hand and the paint transferred, leaving a stencil outline of the leaves. But the magic happens when the leaves are removed from the pad and a fresh sheet of paper is applied - a ghost print appears. I was having so much fun, I forgot to take a photo of any of mine at this stage!
Fiona showed us how to overlay the first print of one stencil layout, over the ghost print of another, resulting in a variety of colour combinations and patterns.
Some were bold and some were subtle. Sometimes the colour wasn't as expected.
All were a surprise as the paper peeled away from the printing plate. Such a fun craft!
Fiona encouraged us to embrace this experimental experience suggesting we cut out the bits we liked if some areas of our prints were more pleasing than others. She provided us all with card making materials and I made a few (which I'll doubtless send to creative pals who understand my need to constantly make stuff!)
I'd have been content to leave it at that, having thoroughly enjoyed my crafty afternoon.
When it comes to knitting, crochet and mosaic, I know I'm product-led so I'll happily work to the end of the project as I really want to see the finished product. With a class of this nature, I'll embrace the creative process and not focus too much on the outcome.
That was until Lesley came to visit....
Painter and fibre artist, Lesley, made this vibrant felted scene, inspired by my photo of Bennachie, at my kitchen table in 2019 - read more about it here.
As well as selling her pictures in galleries in the Borders, Lesley creates lampshades from her images and has recently had cushions made for her as well. She very kindly brought me a gift of this Bennachie cushion, created from the artwork she'd made in my house. It perfectly compliments the colours in our recently refreshed lounge and I love it.
When Lesley saw this monoprint in my pile of papers from the printmaking workshop, she suggested it would make a great cushion. It was one of my favourites, I have to admit.
After taking a good quality photo of my print, I submitted it to www.my-picture.co.uk, the firm Lesley uses for high resolution photo printing. I ordered a 40cm x 40cm plush cushion and opted to have the image printed on both sides. Though production is based in Germany, my cushion arrived in a week and the postage didn't break the bank.*
Now - where does it look best?
*my cushion cost £21 for a two sided plush cushion and postage was £6. There was a promotion on at the time but the company seems to have regular discounted prices so it's worth waiting for these.
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