A sense of place

An evocation of nature in Gouvieux throughout the year...

This series aims at representing the passing of time in my favourite sketching place, the pounds of Gouvieux (where I live). Each print evokes a season as well as one or more of the five senses... I hope you enjoy following me in my ramblings! Each season is also linked to a different art movement of the XXth century. As I wanted to explore abstraction in print, I was happy to build upon four of the prompts of the 2022 Instagram Printersolstice Challenge which prompts were linked to the XXth century history of the arts.

Autumnal flamboyance

This print was created from an en plein air sketch made in Autumn. I then painted the souvenir of this wonderful moment in gouache and turned this gouache into a 4 blocks and 5 colours lino print.

I submitted this print on week 1 of the Printersolstice challenge, which theme was 'Abstact expressionism'. I hoped to convey the love nature Joan Mitchell expressed in her painting.

This print was selected to be part of the 42nd Mini Print International of Cadaquès.

10x10 cm 4 blocks linoprint on 18x18 cm Fabriano Unica white paper, Schmincke ink. Edition of 5.

Sketch of Gouvieux pound in autumn - watersoluble pencil and waxed based pastel

Sketch of Gouvieux pound in autumn- Abstract gouache

Multi block lino print first colour yellow - scmincke water based ink

Multi block lino print second colour light green - Schmincke water based ink

Multi block lino print third colour coral red - Schmincke water based ink

Winter abundance

This print was created in reference to a picture I took of the vegetation around the pound in winter. The branches of the bushes are intertwined, almost woven. They made me think of a tapestry. There are no leaves to the trees but the berries are plentiful and generous to the birds...

I submitted this print on week 3 of the Printersolstice challenge, which theme was 'Bauhaus'. I felt that Anni Alber's tapestries were an appropriate starting point to recreate this winter scenery...

10x10 cm 3 blocks linoprint on 18x18 cm Fabriano Unica white paper, Schmincke ink. Edition of 5.

Berries on bushes at Etangs de Toutevoie in Gouvieux in winter

Sketchbook - Planning stages for a lino print inspired by Anni Aber's tapestries in Bauhaus

Studio cat sleeping on the sketchbook while lino is being carved

Multi block lino print first colour - light brown, schmincke water based ink

Multi block lino print second colour red - Schmincke water based ink

Multi block lino print third and last colour black (on light brown and red) - Schmincke water based ink

Sketchbook page finished project - bauhaus inspired linoprint of Gouvieux ponds in winter

Dreaming of spring

This print was created from an en plein air black and white sketch. I then redrew it with water soluble pencils and created the print with four lino blocks: the first one was inked in yellow, the second in a gradient orange to pink, the third one a gradient from transparent light blue to a more opaque light blue and the last one in a gradient pf dark blue to purple.

I submitted this print on week 8 of the Printersolstice challenge, which theme was 'Fauvism'. I used this prompt to study about Natalia Goncharova who produced very beautiful fauvist paintings (she also expressed herself in different styles such as cubism before being very inspired by Russian folk culture).

This print was published ont the @printersolstice page for week 8 of the challenge..

10x10 cm 4 blocks linoprint on 18x18 cm Fabriano Unica white paper, Schmincke ink. Edition of 5.

Second coulour - gradient orange and pink

Fourth coulour - gradient dark blue and purple

Summery fragrant shade

This print was created from an en plein air sketch of the ponds in June. The bleues and greens were very vibrant...

I submitted this print on week 4 of the Printersolstice challenge, which theme was 'Color field'. I used Helen Frankenthaler's work as a visual reference.

10x10 cm jigsawed block linoprint on 18x18 cm Fabriano Unica white paper, Schmincke ink, medium and Sennelier pigments, Edition of 5.

En plein air sketch Gouvieux summer - Watersoluble wax pastels and Luminance pencils

First colour of a linoprint : green and blue

Medium, pigments, lino, ink rollers - All set for the next printing step!

Pigment and medium on lino block ready for printing

Blue and green print with yellow and bue pigments

Find out how two of these prints were transformed by changing their colour scheme by clicking here. Find also how different kinds of inks can be mixed on the same print to depict the shine of the moonlight...