Printmaking Course with Rosanna Jurisevic

Next course starts
Saturday 9th May 2009
10am - 4pm

This course covers the foundation skills applied in printmaking practice through a range of methods & techniques.

Demonstrations, discussions and practice are a feature, while exploring safer printmaking practices. Learn to prepare multiple relief & intaglio plates, ready for fine art printing.

Techniques include Woodcut, Linocut, Etching & Collagraph. For beginning & experience artists, with opportunities to participate in print exchanges and exhibitions. Places are limited to eight students only. For more details & to enroll visit www.printstudio.org.au

Class dates are 9th May, 23rd May, 30th May and 13th June 2009.

Warringah Printmakers Studio require all class participants to become members of Warringah Printmakers Studio. Check the studio website for details of cost.

www.rosannajurisevic.com

A new website has been launched!

Go check it out.

This website presents my work with some sense of structure and order! You will find the usual sections and pages, making it easier to locate things that you would like to see. Let me know if I have missed anything essential.

This website can also be viewed at http://www.rosannajurisevic.com and also at http://web.mac.com/rosannajurisevic

This Blog will continue as is with snippets of information and will include some demonstrations showing process and progression of artwork.

36 Views of Sow & Pigs

A new project has captured my attention and time for the past number of months. The concept being a body of work featuring 'Sow & Pigs' reef nestled within Sydney Harbour.

Sailing in from the open ocean one feels a sense of security upon entering the Heads. The strains of a passage end with the promise of protection by the harbour. There is a great feeling of relief, accomplishment and then awe, as the beauty of Sydney Harbour slowly reveals itself and replaces the open ocean. The transition from space to intimacy, from repetition to variety is slow and satisfying; the stress of the journey dissipates.

This is not entirely true.

One more obstacle presents itself for navigation, a hidden reef. Sow and Pigs reef in Sydney Harbour is, for most times, not visible. Unobservable and concealed just below the waterline a reef that will scuttle any vessel settles camouflaged by the gentle roll of waves.

It is imperative that the mariner holds a ‘view’ of Sow and Pigs even though this reef is not visible. Holding a concept, an insight, a view within the mind’s eye, seeing the potential for danger on a chart. Acknowledging this final hidden challenge when entering the waters of Sydney. Without a view of Sow and Pigs the certainty of tranquility and protection offered by the harbour is lost.

The artwork shown here, to the right is Little Manly Point, with Through the Heads pictured above, are from the series ‘36 Views of Sow and Pigs’. As Sow and Pigs is not usually visible, in keeping with this elusive nature, Sow and Pigs is also not readily visible within the majority of the 36 views. The set of artwork reflect a transitional journey from wild openness to tranquil sanctuary exploring intimate views and variety in landscape offered by Sydney Harbour.

The two works featured here are woodblock prints, image size for all work within the series is 30cm x 47cm, paper size is 42cm x 57cm. The matrix for these two works is cut from plywood and worked using tradition Japanese woodblock knives, tools and techniques. They are hand printed onto BFK Rives paper with a ball bearing baren.

So far 16 images have been drawn in readiness for making, cutting and carving blocks. All 36 Views of Sow & Pigs, will be worked primarily as woodblocks with other printmaking techniques layered. This work will eventually become a body of work in preparation for another solo exhibition.

All images Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Rosanna Jurisevic

Changing Climates Reinventing Lives

Press Gang Printmakers from Noosa Queensland have invited a number of printmaking studios throughout Australia to participate in an exchange of mini prints based on the theme of climate change.

My image is of a family of polar bears. The subject of polar bears as an image felt quite timely as there has been a lot of attention of late regarding polar bear cubs in a number of European zoos. There have also been a number of documentaries that focus on the plight faced by these bears as a result of the gradual changes to their unique environment from the direct action at our hands.

I fear that we may be watching the slow extinction of yet another animal from our planet.

The matrix is a woodblock worked in the traditional Japanese woodblock method of cutting and carving a piece of plywood using Japanese knives, tools and techniques. Western inking methods were employed when applying ink to the block with a brayer and then hand printed with a ball bearing baren.

Each image is to be no larger that 12cm x12cm for a series of traveling exhibitions.



All images Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Rosanna Jurisevic

Printmaking Classes

A number of people have asked when would I start to conduct classes . . .

Having considered this proposal and searched for a suitable well equipped venue, I'm happy to say that printmaking classes will commence February 2008.

A a six week program for 8-9 students, this will be available shortly. At this stage the following details have been confirmed.

Saturday 10am - 1pm

Warringah Printmakers Studio, Manly Vale

Warringah Printmakers Studio is a designated print studio only, offering a fully equipped studio space with four well maintained printing presses.

The best feature of this studio is the underlying philosophy that strongly supports a less toxic method for making etchings and prints. All friendly to maintaining the longevity and wellbeing of the printmaker including the environment!

Printmaking techniques and methods that encourage safe practice will be a feature of this class.

Stay posted, more details will follow . . . contact me if you would like to join the class.

A Break Overseas

After four weeks away life has almost returned back to what one might call normal. However, had never truly realised just how busy 'normal' really was until now.

My time away was spent in Slovenia, a small gem of a country nestled in central Europe sharing borders with Italy and Austria.

During my stay I managed to move around the countryside as much as I possibly could in an attempt to see as much of this beautiful and unique part of the world. Travelling in Slovenia is certainly much easier if you have access to a car. I am indebted to the many generous people who drove, taking me to see as much as I did.

The photographs here are just a very small selection of my holiday snaps.

Well now back home, guess it's back to work, there are number of projects and deadlines all looming and due
. . . yes things are back to normal.


All images Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Rosanna Jurisevic

Small Works Little Treasures

The exhibition opening was fabulous!

A big thank you to everyone who came to be part of the event and thank you to everyone who helped make this exhibition such a success! It couldn't have happened without you all.

The interest, positive comments and support for my work was just lovely.

Always a challenge to place oneself on public display, especially with a solo show. In many ways it's somewhat easier doing this with a group of artists.

It’s always heartening when the experience is so positive.

For the duration of the exhibition, some 200 people came through to have a look at the artwork.


‘The Sydney Morning Herald’ kindly ran a piece about my art and the printmaking demonstration for the following Saturday.



The demonstration was also well attended with 15 people watching and asking wonderful questions about prints, plates and process.


Surprisingly the following day, eight people came requesting another demonstration. Luckily I still had my kit with me an was able to oblige.


Overall twelve people signed up for printmaking classes. All very encouraging I must say.

In the excitement of it all, I had neglected to ask someone to take pictures of the opening or the demonstrations.


So during some quieter moments I took the photos that appear here.

Will certainly do this again. And next time will make sure that pictures are taken during the opening.




All images Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Rosanna Jurisevic