Andrea Lauren collaboration with Graniph

It is always an exciting opportunity to see licensing collaborations finally make it into the market! These print designs--Owl, Bespectacled Bear, Constellations, and Mittens--are currently being sold by the great company Graniph. They are based in Japan but have worldwide shipping and a few locations in Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Here are a few of the products photographed by Graniph.

Deer with Flowers Art Print by Andrea Lauren

It has been a recent goal to start a Nuvango shop making giclee prints available of pieces which begin life as handcarved block print designs.  This first design, Deer with Flowers, started as a set of stamp elements which were hand printed in the general style that I anticipated using for the finished digital placement print.  After scanning in each of the elements, creating brayer ink textures which were also scanned, and finding a nice palette for the design, I started working digitally on the layout.  Ultimately the mirrored design appealed to me most for its sense of balance and proportion, but there were a few different variations being developed during the design process.  Check out my Nuvango shop for framed giclee prints, phone cases, stretched canvases prints. I have also made this available in my Society6 shop

Trees Block Print Pattern by Andrea Lauren

Sharing most of my printmaking and blockprinting work on Instagram these days. Here is a set of tree stamps carved from the leftover bits of other carving projects.  I have a big bin of these and it is nice to use everything up once in a while; also, finding creative themes which can work with a variety of odd shapes and sizes of pieces is quite rewarding.  These trees have become a pattern design in my shop in case you are interested in some Autumn themed fabric projects.

Robin's Nest block print in three colors by Andrea Lauren

Being a self-employed creative professional, it is crucial to stay intrinsically motivated. I have personally found that developing many side projects, learning new artistic skills, and finding creative outlets for my imagination to wander have been extremely beneficial to my happiness in this freelance career.  At the start of each month, or in between large commissions, sitting down to brainstorm some ideas and concepts for personal art making has been a great key to staying organized and motivated.  My Instagram account @inkprintrepeat is the place where I am sharing this journey of making art by hand as well as connecting with traditional techniques for making images--linocut, stamping, block printing. 

Here is a three color, hand carved block print design from a recent birds series. The spot color blocks were small shapes which were registered using the acetate sheet method and a simple jig. The print was hand rubbed onto mulberry washi paper using water-based block printing inks. 

Fall Leaves handcarved stamps by Andrea Lauren

It has been a busy month of freelance design commissions as well as keeping up with my own personal projects.  Continuing to create everyday, setting-aside dedicated time to making art work by hand, and sharing my process on Instagram has been a rewarding endeavor.
Here is a recent stamp project of carving autumn leaves and printing them by hand with a palette of seasonal colors.  Using these blocks for printing on paper is not the final step in their creative use, using the elements for new repeat patterns for my spoonflower shop and exploring the designs digitally is a rewarding creative expansion as well.

Tsuru Blossoms - New Fabric Collection by Andrea Lauren

Just released a new pattern design collection -- Tsuru Blossoms.  These crane blocks were carved earlier for another design project but I reworked them into repeat patterns.  Really enjoyed taking out the blocks again and printing a little scene while I proofed the swatches.   Available here.

Global Talent Search Round Two

I was honored and excited to get to the second round of the Global Talent Search 2014.  The voting round has begun and you can vote with your email address for up to 5 of your favorites here.  The brief was to create a character for a child's t-shirt that could also become a book character.  Here's a look at my entry and some of the process for creating it.

Creating a Repeating Block Print Pattern by Andrea Lauren

Exploring traditional printmaking and pattern design methods is a strong passion of mine.  Particularly inspired by the great work of William Morris, I wanted to step away from the computer and design a repeat pattern which was hand-carved and could be hand-printed.
In its planning, the design would work as a one-color pattern as well as having the ability to be expanded and digitally customizable with more complex color ways.

1.  I apply india ink to the block to give a contrast when I'm carving.  I use carbon paper to transfer my design to the block.
2.  The block is inked (I use water-based block printing ink).  I registered it by hand, taking care to align the overlapping parts of the design.
3.  A close-up of my carved block.

Andrea Lauren - Honey and Hive Fabric and Pattern Design Collection

A few weeks ago I carved some bees and beehive block print stamps after watching Vanishing of the Bees on Netflix.   After playing around with some gold ink I took to the computer to create a collection of prints that I've just released in my Spoonflower shop.

 

 

 

Summer Fruits Patterns: Bananas & Watermelons

I recently added some more summer themed prints to my Spoonflower shop.  I've been updating and adding my patterns to my tumblr pattern blog here.

Bird Silkscreen Print Series Part 3 by Andrea Lauren

Another piece in my Silkscreen bird series: Puffins.  These delightful birds were really fun to create.  This limited edition of 25 prints is a 5 color print.

Sewing Notions Fabric Collection by Andrea Lauren

After carving my floral block and creating the Butterfly Garden collection, I knew I wanted to continue with that process.  Spoonflower's sewing notions contest seemed really appealing and I got my tools out and began carving some of my favorite vintage inspired sewing notions.  The block is 6"x 8" and I'm also offering it as a print in my shop.

 

Printing on Textiles by Andrea Lauren

In thinking about opening an online shop featuring my printmaking I knew I wanted to contribute to the long tradition of block printing textiles.  Here's a look at some of my experiments on a variety of fabric types.  I'm currently narrowing down a line of pillows, clutches, and tea towels for my new shop.

 

Fabric Collection: Rad Tiger Party by Andrea Lauren

This collection is inspired by the 90s.  I have tried to put my own personal mark and style onto this returning trend.  I've titled this series "Rad Tiger Party" and these prints and other colorways are available in my Spoonflower shop.