Notes from the studio

Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair Nov. 5 - 7

2010-10-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

I have been busy getting ready to head to Silver Spring MD where I will be selling my marbled artwork. The Book Arts fair looks really interesting and I hope I will be able to catch some of the related films they will be screening. If you are in the DC area Nov. 5-7 here is a link with all of the info http://www.pyramidatlanticbookartsfair.org/

The Museum of Printing Printing Arts Fair June 20th

2010-06-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

I will be demonstrating papermaking at the Museum of Printing in N. Andover June 20th as part of their Printing Arts Fair. There will be special exhibits, demos on many of the old presses in the Museum, and steam roller printing! More info can be found here http://www.museumofprinting.org/

The Boston Paper Collective has posted the summer workshop schedule. I will be teaching several papermaking workshops and one marbling workshop.

Mugs!

2010-02-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

I am a big fan of art on mugs. The mug is my tea drinking vessel of choice and therefore an object I interact with on a daily basis. I am very pleased to announce that I have the beginnings of a line of art mugs produced by Boston Coasters.

The mugs feature my monsters, which can also be purchased on coasters and as fine art reproductions. At the moment I have 6 of the mugs featured below in stock. If you would like one they are 13.95 plus shipping and tax, the coasters are 4.95.
E-mail melinda.cross (at)gmail.com to arrange the purchase and shipment of your very own monster mug.

Pictures from Feb. 8 opening

2010-02-09T21:29:00.000-08:00

Above is a slideshow of the work I have up at Sister Sorel in Boston until March 13.

Four pieces have sold all ready, if you are interested in a piece or a archival print, e-mail me at melinda.cross(at)gmail.com

Open Studio Pics

2009-12-31T08:25:00.000-08:00

The open studio went well, and I received a lot of positive feedback. These pictures show our lobby and hallway. The cyanotypes and books on the table are the work of Zoe Culbertson, as well as the snowflake in progress on the right.

January

2009-12-30T20:07:00.001-08:00

This has been a busy month, I'm preparing for a show opening in February. Here is a photo album of some of the things Ive been doing. The first photo is of the set-up in my parent's kitchen in Ohio. The studio was too cold so we worked by the fireplace. The other photos show off a friends beautiful vandercook press as we printed off postcards for the Boston Paper Collective. We also printed some little monster prints which will be available at my Feb. 8th show at Sister Sorel. I taught a few marbling classes in January and created some new work, some cellular creatures and roses.

January2010

Open Studios

2009-11-30T11:50:00.000-08:00

There are many new and exciting things to report on, they will be accompanied by pictures, for now this is what I have been busy doing. I have been working with Gallery 263 in Cambridge, MA to develop an after school program for kids. They will also host a marbling workshop I'm teaching.

I am the Director of The Boston Paper Collective and have been busy getting the word out and hosting more social events around the studio. This weekend is especially exciting since our building is hosting the Charlestown, Ma Open Studios! I will have lots of artwork and gifts for sale plus there will be live demonstrations. The studio is located at 523 Medford street in Charlestown, MA close to the Sullivan square stop on the orange line. There will also be an exhibition of small works by the artists group of Charlestown, the whole thing runs from 10-5 December 5, and 6. For more info and directions to the Boston Paper Collective, plus classes I am teaching check out www.bostonpapercollective.com

Small originals for 45.00

2009-08-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

In Columbus, Ohio there was this amazing artist when I was growing up, Paul Voker. He would have his table every year at the community festival selling small, original art pieces, which were usually humorous and around 45 dollars each. My parents, who at the time did not own any art besides my mother's, bought a few of his pieces and now prize their small collection.

I have come to realize that he was one of my major inspirations when i decided to become an artist. My experience was with artists working in public spaces, in the community, and those that would share the secrets of how they made their creations with a inquisitive child ( I wanted to know how to make anything). It is in the spirit of these people that I will begin offering some of my original marbled prints for 45.00 framed. The prints are 4.5 inches square and presented in 8in matts, they are 35.00 unframed. Tomorrow (Wednesday August 26) they will be a new addition to my booth at government center from 11am-3pm and will also appear on my etsy page.

Suminagashi

2009-07-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

I'm currently framing artwork for my Aug. 5th Arts on the Arcade show and In the process Ive rediscovered some hidden gems. These are a few of my series of Suminagashi papers created while listening to The Lord Of Rings books on tape. Lately Ive been listening to NPR and classical radio while marbling, perhaps I should explore the fantasy/sci-fi genre again. Although it seems like whatever happens to be floating around in my mind while creating a new piece comes out in the the finished work. For instance, while working as a cook professionally and reading Anthony Bourdain, I created many works that referenced interesting vegetable forms.

summer sale dates

2009-07-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

Arts on the Arcade
I will be selling prints, papers, and t-shirts in Downtown Boston on July 15th, August 5th, and August 26th. The art fair runs from 11-3 every wednesday this summer. It is located outside of the boston city hall at City hall plaza and Cambridge street. if you can't make it and still want some of my work check out some of the items I have on etsy www.melindasmonsters.etsy.com

First Post!

2009-07-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Blogland,
I am a fine artist specializing in handmade paper, printmaking, and marbling. I tend to post photos of my work at http://picasaweb.google.com/Melinda.Cross there's also a website with older work at http://www.melindakatecross.com I do sales and shows in the Boston, MA area. The dates and times for these will be posted here, and through my mailing list. In addition to selling my original artwork, I sell hand pulled print editions, and photo reproductions of my marbled work. I also run a cooperative paper making studio called the Boston Paper Collective which i teach workshops out of, information can be found at http://www.bostonpapercollective.com

I hope this blog can educate my collectors and interested people about the techniques I employ to create my work.

~Melinda Cross

2009-07-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

I made a photo album of my marbling process in picasa. I'm experimenting with marbling on wood, I did some book covers this way a few years ago. The only problem I'm having is with air bubbles, this might be related to the thickness or weight of the boards I'm using. Click on the link below to view the album.

marbling on wood