two cuts to victoria

     While the 'computer master" has been working in his shop on my home computer, our household has been gearing up for the Silk Cut Lino Competition in Victoria, Australia (http://www.silkcutlino.com)


      Back in March I ordered three six inch square tiles of Silkcut brand grey linoleum. The contest requires that one uses their brand of product. While I was out painting on-site last week, my wife -- the carver, the bracelet-maker, the ceramist -- was perfecting her floral design. I showed her how to mix inks on the glass palette. She figured out how to apply the ink with the brayer to the lino block. She had her own way for centering and aligning her second color on top of her first color. Her first prototype employed two colors. Hurray!! She asked for a second tile to cut on. She wanted to try something else.

       I came out of the wind Thursday to see the indoor clothesline full of clipped hand inked impressions. She used blank tiles to create several solid color squares. Then next day she applied her floral cut. I was impressed. As I post this, our images are on their way to the Glen Eira City Council Gallery for pre-selection. Then, according to the entry form, three judges will select up to fifty finalists in the Open Section and fifty finalists in the Tertiary and Student Section. These works will comprise the 2012 Silk Cut Award Exhibition. We should know whether our work will be the September exhibit sometime mid-July.