Love Unlimited - linocut greeings card
© Teresa Newham 2013
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We've had a busy few weeks since New Year, with little time for creative pursuits, so I suspect it was Divine Providence which reminded me, towards the end of January, that if I wanted to make my husband a Valentine's card, the time to start it was now. My problem was how to go about it without him noticing - J takes a great deal of interest in my art and is incredibly supportive, so it felt quite disloyal to do something in secret! I hastily drafted a simple design on the PC when J was downstairs, marking schoolbooks. I even managed to transfer the design onto lino in my studio when he was working in the dining room next door - there is a window between them so it wasn't as easy as you might think. I was sweating buckets and kept looking over my shoulder - I'd be a hopeless secret agent!
Scene of Crime I - the box in the crate . . . © Teresa Newham 2013 |
At this point I realised that although there was still almost three weeks to go before 14th February, the card would need a week to dry, so would have to be cut and printed that coming weekend. Which would be impossible, as my brother-in-law was staying; usually I can rely on J to pop out at least once or twice over the weekend but we were planning to do everything together! Perhaps I could sort something out in the week? difficult, as someone was going to put up curtain poles in the studio on Wednesday, so J was planning to move my studio equipment out of the way. I might not be able to access what I needed, and if he came across the card by accident it would spoil the surprise . . .
Scene of Crime II - the shelf in the cupboard © Teresa Newham 2013 |
I had no idea how to solve this problem, but I decided that if Divine Providence had prompted me in this direction in the first place, DP would probably supply the solution (I did a bit of praying too, to help things along). And on the Monday morning, after J had gone to work I found I had twenty minutes spare before I needed to leave. Who usually has twenty minutes spare in the morning? not me! but I wasn't quibbling - I got out the cutters and set to work. And finished the cut. I could hardly believe it, but I found a hiding place for the lino block and dashed out to the station.
Scene of Crime III - the drawer in the cabinet © Teresa Newham 2013 |
the finished card (unsigned) © Teresa Newham 2013 |
J loved the card - all that secrecy was worth it - he had no idea it was coming! it's our wedding anniversary in a few days' time; but guess what? I've bought him a card for that - my shredded nerves won't take any more guerilla printmaking . . . !!
Very funny; I love the concept of guerilla printmaking and I did love the card - a real (secret) labour of love!
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