week three...

Last night we did dry point etching which involves pointy tools and drawing. I was testing out the difference between simple and more detailed drawings with my little butterflies. The preparation of the plate was very time consuming so I only made one print in this weeks class. I enjoyed it though, despite all the tools being squeaky AND despite spilling a jar of solvent on my shoe.


I was reminded of the trip Paddy and I took to the butterfly farm in Ovidstown near Straffan. It's a great place... in the first bit you get to look at all sorts of (dead-zo) butterflies in glass cases, preserved and beautiful. There are also some glass cages with live bugs, giant snails, praying mantises, stick insects and assorted spidery badness. The main attraction however is the butterfly room, a heated sanctuary full of water features, tropical foliage and LIVE butterflies buzzing about. It was wonderful but ultimately terrifying. It sounds silly but it was scary!! They swoop, and sometimes land on you, they're quite menacing really.







But anyway, I love my class. It's wonderful being creative again, and I've renewed my love of working with my hands. my teacher is amazing as well. She has a gentle and lovely way about her, and above all she wants everyone to learn at their own pace and explore their own interests. I found her bio on the interweb along with a few of her prints....

"Born in Dublin in 1959 Louise Meade studied Fine Art Printmaking in both Dun Laoghaire College of Art & Design and the National College of Art & Design. She is a member of the Black Church Print Studio where she works as a full time printmaker. Recent exhibitions include a solo show Uncharted Waters (Original Print Gallery, Dublin) and group exhibitions including Gene Pool (Lemon Street Gallery, Dublin), Print Portraits (Original Print Gallery, Dublin) and Contemporary Irish Prints (National Arts Club, NY). Louise’s work is in many public and private collections including The Office of Public Works. Louise previously held the position of Director at Temple Bar Gallery and Studios and is currently Printmaker in Residence at Airfield House, Dundrum, a residency that was initiated and funded by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council."