Miniatures . . .

In the Beginning

Working in a small scale is just as demanding as working large scale, it may even be a little harder, as the space restrictions to convey a concept demands a different

way of looking at subject matter.

Galaxy

Sometimes I work smaller when planning larger works, and my miniatures form a collection of projects that one day grow into larger scale works.
Twister

Most times however, my miniatures are purely miniatures that remain perfectly fine as tiny works of art.

Rainforest



All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic

Imagery . . .

My imagery weaves subjects and aspects that deal with narrative and mythical tales, blending dreamlike floating qualities with scenes of forests, landscapes, and water.


Often when wandering through my day something will catch my eye. Perhaps a colour, perhaps the way the clouds have moved and look like floating icebergs. Perhaps the aroma of fresh bread that suddenly throws me back to my childhood reminding me of my favourite dress or catching the scent of blossoming freesias that transports me to lying in a field surrounded yellow and white blossoms.


Or while sea sick on a boat hanging over the deck gripping the lifelines, being mesmerised by the changing colours of the ocean. Counting the colours I came to the realisation that the colours of the ocean are truly infinite! I stopped counting at that point and just watched.


An image starts to swirl and formulate.

In Too Deep
( 17cm x 17cm)

Reduction Woodblock

Other times I’ll start a sequence of drawings within a limited timeframe as an exercise to develop spontaneous new work. The image of my little dress came to be in such a way.

Best Dress
(50cm x 70cm)
Floral plate printed onto paper and tissue using Charbonnel etching ink, with woodblock dress printed onto tissue using waterbased letterpress inks, then double layers chine colle.


Other times, exhibition themes are set and thereby challenge the processes of interpretation to create work that reflects the parameters set. This is the case with “In The Garden” as a response the Historic Houses Trust Meroogal Women’s Art Prize theme of Stitches, Patterns and Threads.

In the Garden
Multiple plate etching printed intaglio & relief with stencils onto paper and fabric chine colle


All images Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Rosanna Jurisevic

Creating Work . . .

In creating artwork I find I like to experiment with different plates as matrix using a variety of methods, styles and techniques in creating art. This can involve using materials such as metal, wood, perspex, lino, polymer, cardboard or organic matter as my matrix.

Caveboy with Dog
Multiple woodblocks and a pot scrubber, printed using waterbased letterpress inks

Oriental Dragon

Single plate viscosity print

Techniques can involve etching, aquatint, drypoint, intaglio, relief, viscosity, chine collé, embossing and woodcut. Using multiple plates with colour and often combining traditional etching methods with modern methods that retain the use of a developed and prepared matrix that can be inked in a traditional manner.

My work regularly involves a number of techniques in a complex layering of images to produce the final work.



Delta Yellow
Two plate viscosity print


A viscosity print involves creating a plate that has three (or more) distinct surface levels. The inking of the plate involves placing all the ink colours, one after the other, simultaneously onto the plate and then printing the plate in one go through the press. The term 'viscosity' refers to the differing thickened/thinned inks which will repel each other during application. This is a highly complex method of printmaking.

Each work, even as part of an edition, is an original artwork that is hand made from the initial concept to the final artwork.



All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic

It All Started When . . .

My passion with etching took a hold of me in mid 2004 after a very long hiatus from art, when submitted work was selected for inclusion to an exhibition of miniatures in the USA. This was the first time I had placed my work forth in offer for selection and this was the first time my work had been placed on exhibition to the public.

It was a big step, actually this was a huge leap into an unknown arena that became very encouraging and exciting.

When others speak of positive events that are life changing, it’s hard to imagine the sudden impact of waking up one day to realise that things have changed. This was one of those times for me, there was no turning back. This event changed things in a way that I would never have dreamed possible. Click on the following link for a visit and have a look at the little piece that started it all, http://www.iowabiennial.org/Selections/2004/pages/FloatingAutumn.htm



All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic

Some Images . . .

Mammoth
(18cm x 18cm)

This image and the ones that follow are from a set of six that depict stories from my childhood. All artwork was initially created by painting onto film using black ink in various strengths to create tonal qualities that would eventually allow light to pass through at varying strengths.



Zmaj (Dragon)
(18cm x 18cm)

Artwork was then layed onto steel backed light sensitive polymer plate and exposed to UV light in the creation of the matrix. When exposed at sufficient time, the plate is etched in water washing away areas in the creation of the final image.



Norfolk Pine
(18cm x 18cm)

All plates were inked intaglio and relief with Charbonnel etching inks, then using an etching press were printed onto Magnani Incisioni 310gsm white paper.

Click on th following link http://artottawa.ca/miniprint/index_files/Page590.htm to see two more images from this series which were selected for exhibition in Canada.


All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic

Some Work . . .

Harry
Linocut inked with waterbased letterpress inks printed onto Japanese paper


Thought I would show some images of my artwork so that you can see what I have been doing over the past two years since I've taken up etching and other things related to printmaking.

My work comprises art that is in miniature form through to larger works and most things in between. I use simple line drawings or abstract forms to convey images right through to techniques employed in scientific illustration to convey exacting scale of a specimen and again anything in between.

A friend of mine once said in whispered hushed tones “It’s good fun isn’t it!” and indeed it’s tremendous fun!

Can’t think of ever doing other work in life that gives so much joy, except learning to play the piano accordion, but that’s another story . . .

All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic