chiaramensaart.bsky.social
Bristol-based printmaker focusing on nature-inspired #linocut — original wall art made with care in small batches and handprinted for a unique touch 👉🏻 www.chiaramensa.com
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It's not an easy path, that's for sure! But don't give up, try to push yourself out of your comfort zone a little at a time and it will quickly add up 💪🏼
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Thank you so much 😊
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..making a living from my art in the current economic climate — I think it is definitely a good enough reason to celebrate! 🥂
Here is to better and brighter days for all other artists, creatives and makers out there — let's stay strong and keep going
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I was burnt out from a career as a graphic and digital designer and looking for a way to reconnect with my long-dormant creative side. Turns out linoprinting was the answer.
I dove in without overthinking and I am still here, despite the ups and downs and the difficulties of ..
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Thank you so much! And yes! It was an unreal experience witnessing this real life. The images are somewhat low Res as I did not have the best camera, but still pretty impactful
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Ultimate dread! Everything about it seems to take forever and then some! From the set up and photography, to Photoshopping, optimising & uploading... 🫠🫠🫠
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Not at all! I love that idea! Thank you for suggesting ☺️
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I wanted to encapsulate this feeling in a design, and the weather vane felt like the perfect symbol. It has a direction, but can also change quickly and be a bit unpredictable — just like the wind 🌬️
#detailedlinocut
#findingyourwaythrough #weathervane #carvinglino
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So instead, I decided to start small. I began carving simple designs from lino scraps, creating just for the sake of creating, and letting the process guide me.
This shift has been transformative—lifting the pressure and opening up new possibilities for exploration, no matter where they lead.
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So bloody relatable! 🙃🙂
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But "Why a weather vane?"
Post-holiday, I’ve been in my usual creative slump—forcing myself to sit down and come up with the "next big thing." Unsurprisingly, this has only left me stuck, accumulating stress and self-doubt—not the most productive headspace.
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I've done the sketch for my piece today! Excited to be part of this 5th edition 🙌🏼
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This is absolutely wonderful!
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Wonderful carving!
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Thanks so much John, it's lovely ti connect 🙌🏼
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Amazing! Thanks so much 🙌🏼
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Thank you so much Mary Ann, means a lot coming from you - love your work!
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Both so very lovely! It's funny how it rarely overlaps, isn't it? Some of my own fav prints are my least popular 🙃
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Thank you 😊 the ink is the lovely burnt sienna from Cranfield colours safe wash inks!
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#Printmakers: what's your most popular print to date?
and does it happen also to be your favourite?
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Yup! Colour mixing is definitely a very iterative process over here too 🙋🏼♀️ and this pouncing fox reprint is what is currently on my drying line - takes ages this time of the year, doesn't it?
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Thank you Susan, and also for sharing the list!