Luck Bamboo #4

"Imagination has always had powers of resurrection that no science can match." ~ Ingrid Bengis

I think this is my favorite of this series.

I decided to focus on the bamboo in this last print really defining the stalk and the leaves carefully, This was also the last in the series on the plate, so the yellow ink I layered out over the plate let the colors from the previous prints come through. This created such a neat effect with the green and purple coming through as I made the image.

I added the smoky after image on the left part of the print with color pencil. Playing with the textures of the monotype. I did also clean the upper portion with watercolor in a effort to focus the subject a little more.

Luck Bamboo #3

"The more you reason the less you create." ~ Raymond Chandler

So I tried for a simpler print in this one, focusing just on the light dark contrast. I debated with myself how successful this print is. I really like the upper leaves and how despite its simplicity it still shows perspective and the layers of the bamboo stalks. I'm not sure if I like the ceramic vase at the bottom, but its growing on me.

This print came out very nice. I used watercolor to focus the dark in the background a bit more.

Luck Bamboo #2

"Setbacks have an upside: They fuel new dreams." ~ Dara Torres

So when life gives you lemons...

This print began with trouble, I let the ink sit on the plate a little too long and got a really light print. I then reapplied ink and tried again. I ended up with a mess.

I then reworked the print. Drawing the pot and strengthening some of the leaves with ink. The end result is this. I really like the "order from chaos" feel of this. The random shapes of the print come together to form the simple bamboo.

Luck Bamboo #1

"Good luck has its storms." ~ George Lucas

Sitting on the coffee table in my living room there is a small ceramic vase with a few stalks of bamboo growing from it. I often hear people call it "Lucky Bamboo." In Hawaii, many people have them; on their cubical desk, near the cash registers, and teachers seem to love them.

In an effort to make a short series of prints, I decided to make a series of prints on this simple subject. I think the breadth of these prints are interesting.

This first print is rather straight forward. It is a print of the bamboo and pot. I went back into the print with watercolor on the table an the top right corner. It was a journey to see what I could do with this.