A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

A new week, a new technique!
Stenciling!
From single shaped cards to Banksy inspired photographic grafitti.
All you need is a steady hand, some acrylic paint and a sponge.

With a little help from the iconic Audrey Hepburn…

The original REB.L

 

Nothing is wasted. Even the stencil itself is a cool cat.



A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

This week the lino print designs were translated onto fabric.

The technique is very similar to printing on paper, but with an interesting additional advantage. Printing onto large sheets of calico prompted using the blocks to create repeat patterns with very satisfying results.

“What’s good about these groups is that it’s ok to make mistakes. It’s about experimenting”

“I’ve worked with this design on paper for a couple of weeks and I didn’t like it, but I think it really works on the fabric. I really like the colours I chose, even though I didn’t think they would work. It works as a pattern.”







A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

More Lino printing part 2…

The Lino printing session was so enjoyable last week that everyone elected to continue into this week’s session.

Milena introduced more advanced techniques, that included colour mixing effects, and how to adjust the printing pressure around the design.
It was obvious that participants appreciated the chance to develop ideas and skills with the technique.
Again, with stunning results.

‘‘It’s been fun. The time went really quickly. I’ve really enjoyed experimenting with the different colours’.

(It’s great) “with how engrossed people were”.

“It’s re-awoken my creativity”

“I didn’t want to stop”

A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

And we’re back!

A Thousand Paper Cranes is a 3-year project,working with patients at

The Yorkshire Centre for Eating Disorders based at Seacroft Hospital.
Now the third of the 10-week projects has begun and artists Milena Dragic and Rozi Fuller
are working with patients to explore a whole range of artistic and animation techniques.
The project is funded by Comic Relief's 'Young People and Mental Health' programme.

Lino printing part 1…

Milena led the session, as this is her forte.
Participants were asked to draw an image on paper first.
They then selected an area of the drawing, or design to draw out on the lino block.
The design on the lino was drawn over with black permanent marker pen.
The participants then chose a base colour, and inked the lino block, making prints onto different types of paper.
Having completed this stage, some of the participants began cutting their designs into the lino using the lino tools.
Care was taken to suggest the appropriate tools for the cut.
A second colour (or selection of colours) was then inked onto the block, and the colour overprinted on the first print.
­Some participants continued to a third printing.

‘This has been great. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I think a lot of people have’.

‘I’ve studied illustration so I have printed before. I’m planning to teach under 16s. This session has been really good. I’ve been explaining to others how to do it, and it’s really helped me.’

‘This is a difficult technique to get your head around, but I think I’m beginning to get it.’

‘It’s the opposite of what you’d normally think.’

‘Wow! I can’t believe I’ve actually done that ‘

Open Door in May

During May we have begun another two Open Door projects; one with a women's group and the other with Touchstone - Sikh Elders.  It's early days with both but they're going well with great groups of women in each - bringing a lot of life and laughter to Artlink's building on Mondays and Tuesdays!

The women's group which takes place on a Monday is being led by an established Artlink artist, Milena Dragic.  Currently the group are developing an animation as well as storyboarding and creating the models to act as the central characters to the piece.  They have each produced their own piece of work and will be working towards a combined piece, watch this space as it will be uploaded here!  Due to the nature of the women's situations we are getting flux of different participants throughout, however it does seem to be working well with the overall project.

The Touchstone - Sikh Elders group are working on the project "Picking Up The Thread" together with artists Bryony Pritchard, Musarat Raza and volunteer Amarjit Birdi.  So far the women are exploring a range of different textile techniques and have visited the Royal Armouries to look at the artefacts of the Indian Army collection, taking many photos to be used as inspiration for the forthcoming weeks.  As the groups progress we'll document their progress here.  In the meantime, take a look at the photos from the projects.  Hayley

Reflecting


Today is a Sunny day finally! Artlink has had a busy week, with two of our new Open Door groups attending the building. Both are vibrant and interesting and both are groups of women who have experienced issues that affect their mental health and wellbeing in various ways. The Asian Women's group are working to create beautiful and vibrant textile pieces and the other group of women are creating animation pieces.

This is the essence of Artlink's work. Engaging groups so that we use the arts in its many forms to create vibrant and excellent art and in the process support those people we work with to feel more confident and enhance their quality of life and wellbeing in the process.

Sylvie Fourcin

Director

A THOUSAND PAPER CRANES

The workshop this week showed how to make handmade paper.
The group recycled waste paper, envelopes, wrapping paper, egg boxes.. by tearing these up into small squares, and blending with water to form a pulp.
A paper-making 'frame' was used to scoop an even layer of the pulp, and drain the water.
At this stage, glitter, wool and threads were added for additional effect.
Each sheet was carefully placed between 'felts' to soak up excess water.
Once several sheets were added, the pile of 'felts', called a 'post', was covered with a board and pressed firmly.
The sheets were then seperated from the 'post' and left to dry.