I'm an Intaglio Printmaker
working from home using a small desktop press. I'm expecting a baby
at the beginning of October 1997 and anticipate my out put to decrease
over the next couple of years. I have given up using the toxic chemicals
associated with the etching process and have returned to the medium
of Drypoint. I also intend to use this opportunity to explore the possibilities
of collagraphs and cardboard etchings. This will be my strategy while
our child is small.
The Unborn One has also had an
effect on my content. Gone are the fruity angels and
miniature masturbators, overt genitalia and the
implication of darker desires. Though I have no
intention of losing the Nude, or the Y-fronts and
bums.
I've found myself indulging
a passion for dogs and cats, and winged domestic objects such as baths,
sinks, vacuum cleaners, and rubber chickens. In my defence the dogs
and cats are sometimes three-legged, but even they are kind of cute
- it's all very disturbing.
In the past I’ve exhibited regularly in group and
solo Shows but it is inevitable that this activity will decrease. However,
I intend to use this to my advantage by taking a more considered approach
to the content and quality of future shows. I’ve always had the
problem of working closely to deadlines and been force to hang the occasional
image which has compromised the impact of Exhibitions. Therefore, when I do begin to exhibit
again I hope to have a completely new and much larger body of work.
Maybe the limitations of time in bringing up a child will impose some
much needed discipline in my methods. Nevertheless, the baby is more
important than making works of art and will come first in the order
of things. Therefore, this priority will determine where and when I
make prints, what processes and chemicals I use and how often I update
the galleries. But then, I’m ready for this change and will adapt.
The baby is not the
only adjustment; being hooked up to the Internet and the possible applications
for the "homebound" artist are slowly dawning on me - Printworks
is an obvious example. My husband is currently designing a web site,
which will enable me to keep recent work in front of a yet unidentified
audience. This technology certainly makes me feel that I have a part
to play in the world. I’ll be less isolated because of it.
This year I’ll confine myself
to just a few shows; the excellent Designer/Maker
Show at MAC in Birmingham, and a Christmas fair at
the Watershed in Bristol. I find it very satisfying
to have direct contact with the art buying public
although the content of my pictures sometimes offend
the over sensitive. But as they say ‘beauty is
in the eye of the beholder’.
Louise Gabriel is based in the UK
and you can see more of her work at the Lamont
Gallery, 65 Roman Rd, London E2 and also Agata , No
5, 7 - 9 Union St , Stratford upon Avon .
The information resource for printmakers
I'm an Intaglio Printmaker
working from home using a small desktop press. I'm expecting a baby
at the beginning of October 1997 and anticipate my out put to decrease
over the next couple of years. I have given up using the toxic chemicals
associated with the etching process and have returned to the medium
of Drypoint. I also intend to use this opportunity to explore the possibilities
of collagraphs and cardboard etchings. This will be my strategy while
our child is small.
I've found myself indulging
a passion for dogs and cats, and winged domestic objects such as baths,
sinks, vacuum cleaners, and rubber chickens. In my defence the dogs
and cats are sometimes three-legged, but even they are kind of cute
- it's all very disturbing.
Therefore, when I do begin to exhibit
again I hope to have a completely new and much larger body of work.
Maybe the limitations of time in bringing up a child will impose some
much needed discipline in my methods. Nevertheless, the baby is more
important than making works of art and will come first in the order
of things. Therefore, this priority will determine where and when I
make prints, what processes and chemicals I use and how often I update
the galleries. But then, I’m ready for this change and will adapt.
The baby is not the
only adjustment; being hooked up to the Internet and the possible applications
for the "homebound" artist are slowly dawning on me - Printworks
is an obvious example. My husband is currently designing a web site,
which will enable me to keep recent work in front of a yet unidentified
audience. This technology certainly makes me feel that I have a part
to play in the world. I’ll be less isolated because of it. 