not quite paper

I'm working with a new material I've just discovered called drafter's film (thanks Libby!) instead of paper for hand cut silk screen stencils. It's harder to cut than cartridge paper but definitely tougher and more tear-proof. When I was cutting out my dragonfly this morning I liked the way it looked on it's own, all kind of papery and fragile and then decided to put it on top of my favourite antique Japanese lacquer box. Doesn't she look sweet?

red

As weird as this may sound, I'm convinced that I enjoy the cutting of paper stencils as much as printing itself with screen printing. It's labour intensive for sure, but somehow so meditative. This one took me a while to cut but it wasn't overly painful.

And thanks to J & J I have Lena's new book Printing by Hand to keep me inspired. I scored it for my birthday last week :)