Welcome back, everyone! After a brief hiatus due to some health-related challenges, I'm thrilled to be back with a brand-new blog series, 'Behind the Process.' In this series, I'll be offering an intimate look at the creative journey behind some of my most significant artworks and series.
Today, we're diving into the captivating world of lithograph prints, focusing on my 'Mood Swings' lithograph series from 2019. This series was a culmination of a lithography class during my pursuit of a BFA at the university. Lithography is a meticulous printing process involving the use of a printing press, layers of black and coloured ink, and limestone—a labour-intensive yet rewarding art form.
Join me in this exploration as I share not only the technical aspects of lithography but also my personal thoughts and emotions throughout the creative process. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply curious about lithography, you'll find class notes and resource links to dive deeper into this intricate art form. Stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes journey into 'Mood Swings' and the art of lithography
Moving on from the technicalities, let's dive into the fascinating journey of creativity that made this lithograph series. The process, spanning approximately a month, took me from conceptualizing and refining my idea to the meticulous preparation of drawings and the final printing stage. After late nights at university, I created six prints for this collection.
However, the journey was not without its share of challenges. I encountered several low blood sugar episodes, leading to unexpected delays. Additionally, I had a bit of a mishap when I applied excessive pressure to the limestone with the press, ultimately breaking it. Despite these physical and technical challenges, this class became one of my favourites during that year.
coloured.
Now, let's dive into the heart of 'Mood Swings.' This series provided me with a unique opportunity to infuse personal reflection into my artistic endeavours. I chose this theme to explore the intricate spectrum of emotions, particularly the highs and lows that the human brain experiences during manic and depressive episodes. With an array of creative techniques and the infusion of coloured ink, I opted for layering methods to effectively convey the concept of 'switching' between these contrasting states.
While I don't personally experience bipolar disorder, I believe in the importance of providing representation for those who do, especially considering the prevalence of misinformation surrounding this condition. Advocating for mental health awareness has always been a personal mission of mine, and I've found that art, with its powerful ability to transcend words, can be a compelling medium for fostering understanding.
In this series, I used various visual elements to convey the intricate nuances of bipolar disorder. Some of the variants feature X-shaped eyes, alternating between smiling and frowning expressions. To achieve this effect, I utilized a layered paper technique that forms an X pattern. The addition of these expressions served both artistic and thematic purposes.
My focus was primarily on employing layering techniques and a vibrant palette of coloured ink to vividly portray the complex range of emotions. For the colour scheme, I chose red and blue. Black represents the 'neutral' state of the brain, while red and blue symbolize the manic and depressive phases, respectively.
Through this series, I aim to foster empathy, awareness, and dialogue about mental health by providing a visual representation of the emotional intricacies that individuals with bipolar disorder may navigate.
Here are detailed descriptions of each print within the series, arranged in order from variants 1 to 6, as displayed in the gallery above:
1/6: "Happy Mania" This print captures the essence of "happy" mania within the "neutral" brain, with X-shaped eyes and a cheerful smiley face.
2/6: "Depression" On cream paper, this print features X eyes and a forlorn expression, symbolizing the depths of depression within the "neutral" bipolar brain.
3/6: "Snapping In and Out" In this print, two overlapping, melting brains depict the dynamic experience of "snapping in and out of mania" within the "neutral" state.
4/6: "Manic Energy" A double print that vividly represents the brain entering a state of manic energy or manic rage.
5/6: "Manic Depression" Utilizing blue and black ink, this double print with X eyes and a sad face signifies the manic side of depression.
6/6: "Swinging Moods" In this final print, the brain is portrayed overlapping both red and blue ink, illustrating the sensation of oscillating between intense depression and manic or maniacal energy.
This series is a labour of love, and I've poured intricate details into each print. I hope you found the process and the significance of colours and printing methods intriguing. Your feedback and thoughts on this new series are immensely valuable to me as I continue to develop and create my art. If you have any questions or comments about the series, please don't hesitate to leave them below.
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