Friday, May 14, 2010

Indian Woodblock


Indian woodblock - artist unknown


Embossed print on Fabriano paper


Black etching ink on Japanese Ho-Sho paper

My artist jeweller friend, Margaret Kirkwood, has recently returned from a wonderful trip to Rajasthan, India. I asked her if she would keep an eye out in the markets for an old Indian fabric woodblock. Bless her, she found this lovely peacock and it arrived today.

My plan is to try to incorporate the image into some of my own printmaking. Not sure exactly how yet but in the meantime I couldn't wait to print it. Thanks Margi!

15 comments:

belindadelpesco.com said...

Wow, wow, wow.... that is GORGEOUS! What a lucky find. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Anonymous said...

That is gorgeous Robyn. Happy creating!

Felicity Grace said...

Such a lovely object, I hope you have lots of fun with it!

Sherrie York said...

Oooooh! My favorite kind of treasure!

Charlene Brown said...

Oh Robyn, aren't you glad you thought of asking Margaret to watch for a woodblock! This is a real treasure, and I hope you'll be sharing with us his sure-to-be excellent appearances in your printmaking.

Anonymous said...

I was looking for similar blocks a few years ago, and did a Google search. I found some beautiful Thai blocks for sale at reasonable prices.

You have a lovely image. I love embossed prints.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

How beautiful. You'll surely love all the ways you find to use it. Yummy.

Jeanette Jobson said...

This is a treasure indeed and has so many possibilities.

Are this type of block used for batik printing sometimes? Its beautifully carved and could make a 'signature' on your prints depending on its size.

Robyn Sinclair said...

I can't wait either, Belinda because the ideas are not jumping out just yet ;)

Cathy - Thanks. I'd like the artist to know how much I treasure it.

Felicity - I think it will find its way on to a coffee table.

Sherrie - The only think better is if I'd been in India to find it for myself!

Nancy - thank you.

Jeanette - It's about 4 inches in diameter, so a little big as a seal. I think it would have been used as a more direct printing technique than batik, simply to transfer pigment to fabric. Margi sent me a photo this morning of pigment dyes in the Indian market - I was drooling :)

Unknown said...

I love the embossed version; what a great gift.

Joan said...

I love the etching, but the embossing is fabulous!!! I'll be watching to see what you do with it.

Pat said...

Wow this is very cool. I love the embossed paper and the fact that you can print on anything from paper to fabric. My mind is racing with fun ideas.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing, isn't it. A little Indian shop near Newtown Station sometimes has some little woodblocks but nothing as gorgeous as that. I'm thinking it could lead to an artist's book

Robyn Sinclair said...

Wendy - That's an interesting thought. Something along the lines of An Indian Peacock in Tuscany. I'll think on it.

caseytoussaint said...

That is very cool - I'm lookin forward to seeing how you incorporate it into your paintings.

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