Printmaking Residency #2 at Baldessin Press
Chelle undertook a second residency that furthered her skills in printmaking, learning new printmaking skills that included copper plate etching, monoprint and monotype printmaking, and cyanotype
Copper plate etching - Chelle informed her surroundings of the trees and memories of houses in the bushes through copper plate etching as she learned the techniques. The first copper plate etching print is on Arches paper with layer of japanese paper, giving its yellow colour. Second etching is the ghost image on Arches paper
Monoprints with watercolour and gum - Chelle informed her style of clothing through these prints, she thought of what she wears and how she may coordinate her clothes. The clothing works gives an insight into her identity and personality. She is one that does not worry what others think and says she wants to encourage people to embrace their true selves and not follow outdated 1900s societal ideas, a way to break away from intergenerational roots and follow ones own path. If your eye truly loves something beautiful, sparkly, colourful or different then by any means, just DO IT! Wear it for gods sake! The world is changing, so go with the change and embrace what your inner heart and inner child really wants. If you like care bears, have them, if you like rainbows, wear them! Chelle extends her monoprint works to show a pinball, a friend that gets her as who she is, and her plushies/toys that are her safe space and source of fun and storytelling such as the baby yoda in a wheelchair and the little train story of Little Shit taking a risk and rollng herself in her wheelchair stupidly down the bank to the railways, giving everyone a heart attack! This is now a time to shed societal expectations.
Monotype printing with ink on plates and etching into the ink using various tools. Creating a series of dark and moody pieces relating to feelings and concerns on the industrial rot and climate change happening
Cyanotype prints - Chelle focused on the core of her inner child and the importance of embracing what she really wants and loves, not giving a second thought to societal expectations. The light coming through the blue is what Chelle wanted to achieve informing her inner child experiences and her bucking of societal trends and expectations. As one friend said, she is an unicorn trotting around but her spike allows her to strike at anything that does her or her loved ones wrong. She takes no shit. Including from societal expectations.