Isn't he beautiful? I couldn't do this with a spider...
But there is something very endearing about cockchafers. This fellow was rescued from a bucket of water by Andy. I have been doing my own rescuing, but of a somewhat more extreme nature...
A quantity of standard Adana equipment and presses which were in need of a home. It looked worse than it was...I had a day's hefting about, (and the kind use of a neighbour's shed corner for the presses). Luckily most of it was cabinets of type and stacked nicely up the walls in dead space. I have taken a solemn and terrible oath not to bring home any more 'stuff'. There really is no more room at the inn.
So what am I going to do with it all? Well, precisely nothing at the moment, it was simply a mercy dash (as much as you can dash with lead type) to get it from there to here. There is plenty I plan to do with it, in the future - but right now I have my hands full. The new book job is wonderful, a dream project, but very intense; with three toy orders to fulfill, if I am not drawing, I am needle felting. And my toy shelf is emptying again. Mavis - who languished on the shelf longer than anyone and watched enviously as her friends were packed off to new homes - has been posted across the Atlantic, where she is destined for a very special chicken shed indeed. And not before time; she was starting to get ideas about the Rooster Boys...
25 Comments on Going over the top, last added: 6/3/2008
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Oh he is a fine fellow! I do love the expression on his face! That is a real find with the print making equipment - I am sure it will keep you busy for a while to come. Congrats too on the book work!
I am so very very jealous - you lucky thing you
best wishes from the smoke
the type anorak
I love the frondy tips of antennae on those critters. Makes them feel more like a fictionalized creature and less like an insect...
I'll have to keep an eye on Mavis, it sounds like - I have a small version of the Rooster Boys in my studio as well... (Maybe it will make her feel more at home? :-)
I hadn't realise how BIG cockchafers are. Impressive stash of yummy type stuff, however I am concerned your telly may topple off that lovely tin - why not use one of the type chest of drawers to put it on, (sorry for organising).
Inn is indeed full, but who could resist the chance to rescue all that lovely type. I did lots of letterpress in school and what fun it was when you got everything right. I, too, am taken by Mr. Cockchafer's antennae frills, makes him look very festive! Nice news about the dream job, they are out there, dream jobs that is.
Blimey G!! Have fun with all your new stash.
I love the top photo, of the frilly eyebrows.
Great news about your illustration job, well done.
P.x
I can see needle-felted cockchafers coming soon…
I'm so impressed at your ability to stash stuff, if that had been mine it would probably still be sitting in the middle of the room!
Let me say how terrific it is to know that your illustration work is going very well. About the filling up of a small space with lots of treasures ... well, I totally am in your corner. I cannot see that corner for all the treasure that is between me and it, but you do get my point.
Whenever an artist can come upon a source of inspiration, or be giving some sort of thing (paint, tool, book, whatever) that feeds that artist's dreams and creativity, well, that source must be welcomed!
Every now and then, I do find something to send on to another place ... but so reluctantly.
Best wishes to you PG.
I didn't realise May Bugs had such cute faces - they're usually propelled out too fast to notice! What a great find, all that equipment - well done merging it in. Nothing wrong with 'stuff', my house is full of it too...
that is one very sweet beetle! (i dont mind spiderds either!)
Oh, and i adore your higgledy piggledy shelves, all that china and books, books, books! (rather like my own home!!)
Leanne x
you were a good person to save these treasures from the melting pot.
Firstly you are SO brave for handling any type of bug ;-) Secondly - how much stuff did the press come with! and thirdly - I'm getting ideas about the rooster boys too! It sounds like you are fabulously busy for the summer! x
Ooooh, I know what you mean. I can pick up all kinds of critters...toads, moths, beetles...but SPIDERS!! No way.
Thank-you Aunty Gretel, for your blog, it cheers me. I'm a bit of a glum glum at the mo and I like reading your words :0)
xoxo
Mavis is a sweetie and you'll miss her ... there's never a dull moment around your creations. They each have their own personalities.
I was curious about your mission of press mercy ... and am glad to see what it was about. I love all those wooden drawers.
Now if snails didn't go about eating our plants, then maybe we'd be more indulgent toward them and rescue them.
Blimey, how do you fit it all in? Great stash, I'm so jealous. I can almost smell the printing ink....mmmm!
Wowee I love that painting on the easel in the bottom picture!x
lok at that adorable face! oooh no no no i couldn't either with an S. shivers....
oh my, your house looks cozy! i could curl up by the fire and read books all day there! your illustrations are wonderful...i really like them a lot. thanks for visiting my blog, by the way...
OH, I would love to rescue all of those treasures! Lucky you!
Thanks ever so much for the lovely card, Gretel, which I will be taking into work to show the folks. It's somehow reassuring to see pics of the type in situ; even though it's not taking up so much of your floor space it does seem to be taking up a lot of volume, i.e. breathing space!
Very much looking forward to your creations!
Thank for making me feel as if I'm normal! Your a bigger pack-rat than I am. Now when I go through my garage I feel much better it looks so well organized and all my junk finds neatly stored.
Good Luck
The insect world is so super beautiful!
You had no choice but to save that adana, have fun with it in the future.
what an adorable little creature! I wouldn't want to let him go, he looks like he's smiling! :) That photo brightened up my evening!
I come and go to your blog in random waves of excitement and tonight was no exception nor disappointment to my delight.
I am desperate to know where you buy your printers drawers.
I need a full set and have no idea where I can buy them.
Can you help me pleasE?