New Soft Block Linocut

Sorry it's been awhile since I posted. It's been a busy week.

I noticed all of my favorite blogs are not listed. I'll have to figure out whats wrong. Still learning this stuff.

As far as job hunting.....I accepted a job last Wednesday....even though I felt uncomfortable at the interview. Needless to say....it lasted 2 days. I should have went with my gut instinct. The Nurse manager was ...shall I say....."different". I decided after 2 days, I didn't want my name on any paperwork associated with that company. I worked hard for my RN license....don't want to lose it.

I interviewed with the nursing home that I initially was interested in. The Director was out last week with a broken foot. I was real impressed with her and the Assistant Director. It is a home I worked in 10 years ago. I loved it then. I see alot of improvements and it looks like it's still a nice one. I find out tomorrow AM whether I got the job or not. It pays what I was looking for too. I feel good about it. I'm pretty sure I got it. A big plus....its only 15 minutes from my house....YAY!! and....weekends off!!

The other job I interview for today was with Poison Control. It's strictly a desk/phone job. They won't make a decision for 3 weeks. I can't wait that long. The pro's....it pays better than any of the other jobs I've interviewed for, plus great benefits....It's a state job. The con's....the schedule is month to month. You never know what shift or days your working until the schedule comes out. May get 1 weekend a month off...no guarantee. I looked at the cubby hole where I would be sitting.....12 hours a day.......don't know if I want to do that for the next 20 years.....LOL.

I have been making art. Nothing finished tho. Mostly drawing...and a little doodling with my paints.

I watched a video on youtube by grittyarts that was about lino cutting. I have been fascinated by that for sometime. If I could put the video here I would.....haven't figured that out yet. Go check her out....her videos are amazing...and her art is that and more. She also has a blog and sells on ebay. Her blog address is http://grittyartsstudio.wordpress.com.

Anyway.....while I was in Amarillo today....I went to Hobby Lobby....bought a few supplies to try lino cutting. By the way....don't buy the carving tools from Walmart....they are worthless. They are frustrating. I paid around $5 there. I bought the ones from Hobby Lobby by Speedball for $12.99......wow...what a difference. Also...don't buy erasers like I did (suggested on a website to try this technique out) also frustrating and hard to cut...plus too small. I bought 4x4 Carving blocks by Staedtler for $2.99 each. The are wonderful.....as the label says....."Cuts "like butter". I love them.

So...enough jabbering......here's my first attempt at soft block linocutting. I used a drawing I did of the calla lillies my daughter bought me for mothers day. It was a blast!! Remember this is my first real attempt....be kind. And thanks Jane for getting me started!!

The first photo is of the actual block I carved. The next two photos are of each time I cut and then printed. I have them numbered beside each one. I'm not crazy about the final cut and print....but thats how we learn I guess. It was alot of fun!!

ps.....I'm having a heck of a time with loading photos...if anyone has a howto....or knows where I can go....please let me know. I know these photos stink.