Experiments with Alternate Grounds

I live a long way from shops

and I do a lot via the internet

and the postal service

But I really like to find alternatives

to do things myself

so as I have to buy whiting

a form of calcium carbonate used to make

traditional gesso

I thought I might have a play 

with alternatives

The first two samples

are cuttlefish bone ground in a mortar and pestle

this is mixed with rabbit skin glue

* glue mix

this is chicken bones 

that were loose in the fire overnight

in the morning they were a lovely soft white

crushed in a mortar and pestle

top with rabbitskin glue on fabric

below with the glue mix*

The next two samples 

are made with shell nacre

I found if I heat it with the blow torch 

it separates and becomes very brittle

and easy to break up

it is then crushed in a mortar and pestle

again the top is rabbitskin glue on fabric

and below is Glue mix

This is cuttlefish and rabbitskin glue

which has then been printed with egg yolk

and then dipped in Purple Carrot

and Bloodroot, both dissolved in methylated spirit

the glue used through out to stick down the pieces

is skim milk powder and water

*Glue mix consists of equal parts 

white sugar and white flour

mixed with water

Normally this would be cooked

But I did not do that 

this time

I will repeat this experiment

but next time

I will use my studio spice grinder 

for a finer result

I also now have a darker bone powder

made by enclosing the bones in a tin

and therefore excluding the air

before placing in the fire

and questions

or feedback

please leave a comment

x te

Whats Happenin?

I know this is not a great photo but these critters are shy

If you zoom in you will see a joey

just about to skitter back into the pouch

This is our first little one sighting for the season

The Soak

This is over on our winter creek

We pumped out of it and into the duck pond last weekend

Begginings of something for over here

Best get a wriggle on it is due by the end of the year!!!

This is a large sheet of watercolour paper

I used only chinese waterbased ink,

milk paint with titanium dioxide

and a watersoluble graphite stick

 Some pieces I have been working on in town

I love the way the light shines through

These were taken in front of the kitchen window

as the only other spot I can take pics is outside

and it is pouring with rain out there

This is a smaller piece 8 x 15"

It will be cut into 3 pieces

and mounted on board

then waxed

and sent to the local Art Centre

to be auctioned

and just for fun

ink and milk paint

x te