"Flowers" - Art Elements Theme Challenge

The theme for our monthly challenge at Art Elements was chosen by Marsha - Flowers! A wonderful summer theme and one that allows for a broad range of interpretation. I really enjoyed it, only work and other obligations cut down heavily on the time (and energy) I had available.

So I won't ramble along like I usually do... but rather show you pictures ;) I played with the moleskin notebooks I got from my Art Elements secret santa. Pen and water color mainly.

I played again with layered monoprints but had to stop since our printer run out of black. Also although I liked the new color combinations I tried out, a lot of them had not enough contrast so I added marks with colored pencils, gel pens, and acrylic pens.

 

In between I started carving. I had a rubber printing block from a company I am not using anymore since it crumbles way too easy. But I wanted to use up all my leftovers.

With hare...

I also finished a big background printing plate / stamp with an abstract flower design.

For such big prints I use lino paint from Schmincke and thin rice paper. You can see the print through the back while printing.

I forgot to carve three lines... but I somehow like it and may leave it s it is.

The leftover pieces from the border can be used as tiny stamps.

I also made a test print with my hare again. For this I put a mask on the stamp before the printing and added the hare stamp later.

The background needs to be in a different color to enhance the contrast to the hare but I do love the end result!

When you had a look at yesterday's blog post at Art Elements (it was my turn) then you have seen this stamp during the carving process. Here it is finished with the first test print using an archival ink stamping pad...

....and here with lino printing ink. 

I had to add the hare again since this was my original idea - combine the hare with flowers!

....and with color added! Love it!

And at the end: Some of the flowers on our balcony :)

Thank you for coming along to this blog hop and please have a look at what all the participants made! :)

Here is a list of our Visiting Artists:
Alysen
Cat
Divya
Evie and Beth
Jill
Hope
Kathy
Linda
Louise
Martha
Melissa
Michelle
Rozantia
Sarah
Sarajo
Tammy

And our Art Elements Blog Contributors:
Caroline
Cathy
Claire
Jenny
LaneyLesleyMarsha
Susan