A Self Portrait of Sorts

So this digital imaging class started out to feel like one big long never ending joke of a class. Learn something new!? Never! We will only go over things that you already know how to do with your eyes closed and one hand behind your back! Ha ha!

Okay, so I was exaggerating, but on a more serious note, I'm actually incredibly happy with how my first project turned out. If I'm being honest, I think it's downright rad.

We had to use "found" objects, such as magazine clippings, found drawings, or things we came across laying about our homes. I tore through the only magazine I own ripping off pages like it was my job. And then I only used two of those pages, but you know. They came in handy.

Handy! Oh, I kill myself.

No? That wasn't as funny to you as it was to me? Okay, okay. It is Wednesday after all. The humpday of the week. Forgive me my bad joke - although I believe that bad jokes are the best jokes. You know it to be true.

But anyway, my piece is about...you guessed it! Hands. Hands are unique to a person and you can tell a lot about a person from the wrinkles of age, callouses, fingernails, etc. on their hands. The same with hand writing - every person writes letters differently. Fingerprints? Uniquely yours. This piece came out as more of a self-portrait of sorts.

I think it's some of my best digital work to date. But also I am completely biased.

I also wish I could wear my nails painted like the rainbow every day. I think that would make life a bit more interesting, but don't you agree?

Poly-Litho For Dummies

You start by setting everything out, all your paper, your poly-litho plate, a sponge, bowl of water, ink, roller, and gloves.

Then you warm up the ink and roll it out in a square.

Then you sponge out some water on the glass plate and lay the litho plate over top while you cover it in even more water. Water is your best friend in this process. If your plate is dry the ink will stick to places that it shouldn't and really the only bad thing about too much water is having it overflow onto your shoes.

When you roll the ink out over the plate it only sticks to your water-resistant image, so everywhere that is wet won't have ink on it. If you look at your image from the side you can see where the ink is sticking.

Then you pull the plate up to drip the excess water off and place it on the press, putting your paper over top of your plate in order to transfer the image.

Run it through the press and then, presto:

Congratulations! You have just created your first print! Be excited! The rest is like shampoo, rinse and repeat.

(the entirety of my prints created today)

(the best four)

(the best one)