Pit-stops, Process & Alchemy

Recently I decided to trial some water-soluble oil-based black relief printing ink to create some mono-prints/types. The results were mixed. A somewhat frustrating process of trial and error (mostly error) led to me working back into the prints and then unexpectedly using the ink with bronze acrylic – something I happened to have had lying around for quite some time, I’m not quite sure why. I began to revel in this beautiful contrast between the deep dense black of the ink and the shimmering glow of the bronze. It felt like alchemy; happenstance was on my side, though in truth this discovery had occurred as a result of my frustration and impatience. A balance of sorts.

So I moved away from the mono-print process (although I intend to return) and into a variety of mark-making and eventually more painterly techniques using a combination of black ink and bronze acrylic – an attempt to harness the alchemy. Another turning point (after a pit-stop) which is now informing my larger work on canvas. Alchemy is always alive in the art process.