Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Kelly’s Morning Bath Block Print, Framed or Mounted

mounted block print
Canvas-mounted pint of "Kelly's Morning Bath II"

The Kelly’s Morning Bath duo was the first feline pictorial block print I designed, even before The Tortie Girls duo of block prints. I was literally inspired by Kelly’s daily morning bath in front of the big casement window, sketched it up and cut the block—twice, because I wasn’t sure I liked the first version. As it turns out I like both equally well, and since I’ve been printing them on gift bags and tote bags and other things, I’ve come to use version 1 as a framed and matted print because it has just the essential image, and version 2 as an imprint because it has the decorative border. Please read more about the genesis of the print in this post.

I’ve been enjoying wood-mounting artwork since I found a ready source for the wood blocks to be used, and after the first group was done I began looking at other art and images the block prints are idea as I’d mounted prints of The Tortie Girls on wooden trays and blocks, but the shape and size of Kelly’s Morning Bath isn’t readily available in wood blocks. However, I knew there was another resource and found it in stretched canvases in the perfect size as if they were made for this! They are actually deep enough to be able to stand up on a tabletop, as shown.

linoleum block print of cat
Kelly's Morning Bath 1, linoleum block print, 4" x 11" © B.E. Kazmarski

Printing these two designs on unique papers was part of the design plan, and when I began finding handmade rice papers with leaves and flowers embedded I knew I’d found the best choices. This package of handmade, fair trade, eco-sensitive paper (could it be any better?) provided a dozen varieties of prints with a white and a cream background, and shades of green, rose and rust for spring, summer and fall.

black cat in front of print
Mimi was unhappy at all the attention the block was getting.

Block printing is a technique wherein the artist carves the surface of a piece of linoleum, leaving raised areas which will become the image. Ink is rolled onto these raised areas, then a piece of paper is pressed against the block and when it’s lifted away the ink remains, leaving the image on the paper. Because of this process, each print is slightly different and therefore unique. Kelly was indeed on my work table to supervise the printing of this block print inspired by her daily morning bath in front of our favorite window.

I am currently framing these as well as mounting them on the stretched canvases beginning with these two color variations.

And I was all set up to photograph all these pieces atop the wardrobe at the top of the stairs for the excellent light but as you can see Mimi put an end to that, a little piqued that she was not getting the attention she felt she deserved at that moment.

 


Kelly’s Morning Bath II Mounted on Canvas

canvas-mounted block print of cat
"Kelly's Morning Bath I" block print in green tones.
detail of mounted cat print
Detail of depth and mounting.

This is the more decorative of the two prints so I’ve used it for the canvas mounting. The canvas blocks are 4″ x 12″ on the face and a little over 1″ deep. I wrap the front and sides of the canvas with the same paper as the print and glue it to the surface, then I trim the print to fit the face of the canvas and glue that on top of the paper. Both the paper and the prints have a few extra wrinkles after the adhesive swells and dries but it gives it that wonderful papery look and feel. Finally, I cover the entire surface with a coat of matte-finish Modge Podge so that the surface can be dusted or wiped with a mild cleaner.

mounted block print of cat
"Kelly's Morning Bath II" mounted on canvas, pink tones.

I don’t add a hanger to these because the back of the canvas is deep enough to safely hold onto whatever hanger you use on your wall. I do add bumper pads in the lower corners, though, to help the piece hang straight. You can find both of these in my Etsy shop.

 


Kelly’s Morning Bath I Matted and Framed

matted and framed block print of cat
"Kelly's Morning Bath 1" matted and framed, pink tones.

This is the plainer of the two prints and my original idea. In a freestanding presentation, with no border as it is with the mounted pieces, it has always looked unfinished to me, so I use various colors of black or color core mat and always a matte black frame to coordinate with the ink.

matted framed block print of cat
"Kelly's Morning Bath I" framed block print, green tones.

The image size is 3″ x 10″, the frame size is 7″ x 14″. The mats are as shown, 1-1/2″, with a matte-finish black composite wood frame. You can find these two variations in my Etsy shop.

You can find these and more in my Etsy shop, as well as more views of each piece, as I work my way through all the variations on prints of these wonderful papers.


All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in using one in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of this image or a product including this image, check my Etsy shop or Fine Art America profile to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.

Bernadette

From health and welfare to rescue and adoption stories, advocacy and art, factual articles and fictional stories, "The Creative Cat" offers both visual and verbal education and entertainment about cats for people who love cats, pets and animals of all species.

3 thoughts on “Kelly’s Morning Bath Block Print, Framed or Mounted

  • This is wonderfully done, brilliant medium for this..I have an all black cat.

    Reply
    • Thank you! I love the clarity of block prints, and planned this out to use the best of the medium. Kelly was a tortie, but she was quite dark and in silhouette was a petite slender kitty. I have five house panthers right now, plus to black foster kitties! They are non-stop inspirations.

      Reply
  • Pingback: The Creative Cat - Daily Photo Reprise: Pensive Kelly, 2012

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