I have a bunch of proofs of prints that just didn’t print right — the paper moved on the block, making it fuzzy (the black and white one), or I didn’t get enough ink coverage (the base layer of the black under the blue). Usually I reuse those to test a block or do a first layer of ink on a throwaway sheet so I get good coverage on my better paper. Sometimes they get a number of layers of ink after sitting around the print shop for a while. I was printing my moon block in silver for the Black Feather Farm commission, and while I had the silver ink going, I wondered what would happen if I played with some of these sheets. I got out my pelican block and tried it on a couple of of proof sheets and then cut down to the part that worked. I’ll have to get creative about signing these, since there’s no white edge around them, but it was fun to move a little looser and seat-of-the-pants in my printmaking. These will be a 1/1 print, meaning it’s unique and unrepeatable, and I think I’ll take a few to the Pink Palace Crafts Fair later this month for fun.

Rodin used his small cast figures in different combinations and ways as he got older and had a whole range of sculptures already done and available. I’ve always planned one print from the beginning, done it the way it was in my head, and set the block aside. I’m realizing that I now have a good number of blocks that it might be fun to combine in different ways, so I’m starting to think about new ways to experiment with them.