Last Sunday the Varley Art Gallery hosted a wonderful artist trading card swap.  There was a great turn out and we had tons of fun trading cards with other artists.  I hope they hold more of these events.  My ACEOs (Art Card Editions and Originals) are linocut prints and so I was able to make several of each type.  These three are just listed in my Etsy store.  I have more of these animal friends  to list, but Christmas is bearing down and I haven't started to make my Christmas cards yet.  The month of December is also a big birthday month in our family, so this will be the last non-Christmas or birthday art posting until the new year.

When I was listing these I was amazed at how my scanner picked up the texture of the printing ink.  I think it picked it up a little too much!  However, being linocuts, there is some texture.  I hope you enjoy them!

I love to add words to my prints.  I'm not sure why, except that their shapes are so pleasing to look at and they add an unexpected element.  Just like pictures, they have meanings which are altered by their context.  When I put them together with a print the perception of both are altered.  I have a collection of words that I've cut out of old books from the recyling depot.  I sift through them often seeing how they fit with various prints.  There are many I am dying to use...like "deepest and most thrilling of all the stories" .  I really hope I create a print that goes with that someday!

A little over a week ago I raced up to the Georgina Art Centre to enter a few of my prints in the "Undefined" Juried exhibition.  I made it just before the deadline and I'm glad I made the trip.  Last Sunday, the reception showcased a beautiful display of art with many talented artists.  I was so pleased and surprised to get a third place for my reduction linocut print, "The Story Begins".  It is really a wonderful show with a great variety of painting, photography, sculpture, pottery and more.  I'm so glad to be a member of the gallery there.

This week I'll be adding more prints to my Etsy store, so if you are in the mood for a new print, stay tuned : )