Commissioned

After viewing a number of proofs offered for selection, the local sculptor chose the artwork featured on the left for his 'One Man and a Dog' Exhibition invitation card. He liked the warmth of the chocolate shadow and the sunny yellow background. He especially liked the addition of the swinging lead. I think the lead nicely joins and connects the two together (and makes the shadow Harry more 'dog-like').

Proofs were made using three woodblocks registered and carved in a traditional Japanese woodcut technique. Each block was carved, rolled with ink and then hand printed using a ball-bearing baren. The print featured here uses only two blocks. There were a number of proofs with the third block representing a shadowed gravel road layer over the chocolate and yellow. However, the sculptor preferred the crispness of this image.

The sculpture of Harry is life-sized and is currently at the foundry being cast in bronze. When ready, an unveiling ceremony and exhibition will be held at the Tom Bass Sculpture Studio.

All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic

Harry the Muse

Baby Harry Young Harry Old Harry

My little Harry dog is now 15 and a half years old. He has been part of the family from the time he came to live with us at 5 weeks old.

His hearing and eyesight are not what they once were, I suppose that can be said of all of us. However, he is still quite sprightly for an old dog. A miniature Fox Terrier with all the qualities possessed by a much larger dog.



He has become quite a well known character within the local community with a standing invitation for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at our neighbours front yard.

Harry and friends at breakfast

Harry likes playing with his squeaky toys, eating, taking naps (especially in the sun), shredding paper, his blanket, going for long walks in the park, car rides, being patted, nibbling my honeysuckle vine and being with me.

Harry dislikes cats, water, sailing, cats, thunder (though now that he is a little deaf he doesn't seem to notice this as much), being picked up, cats and he doesn't like foxes either.


Most of my drawings of him are done while he is asleep, it has been difficult to capture him awake as he is rarely still. This drawing was transferred to a light sensitive polymer plate, etched onto the plate using UV light and processed in water. Once the plate is cured and dried it is inked and printed as you would with any other etched plate using a printing press.

An earlier small lino cut print of Harry has been reworked an into a larger image as a woodcut print with an addition of a red pillow.

The image was carved onto three woodblocks, a separate woodblock was carved for each colour. Traditional Japanese woodcut technique was used for registration and carving, the blocks were rolled with water-based letterpress inks and the image was hand printed onto Japanese paper using a ball-bearing baren.


Here's Harry concentrating while at work posing for the little lino cut and the larger woodcut. He certainly does work hard!

I have been commissioned by a local sculptor to make an image to be featured on the invitation card for his upcoming 'One Man and a Dog' Exhibition. Last Winter, Harry regularly posed for this sculptor during a number of studio sessions. After removing his little red coat, his only requirement was that the heater be turned up high.

Here is the preliminary artwork in preparation for carving a woodblock to print. It's based on a photograph taken of shadows cast in early morning sunlight.

Harry featured on the right.

It must be hard work being a muse in such high demand, guess that must be why he takes so many siesta breaks.

You know what they say about sleeping dogs. . .


All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic

An Experiment

Yesterday I tried something new.

In the past, lithography was a method that I had not had an opportunity to practice and had also been somewhat reluctant to try. The use of so many chemicals toxic and hazardous to health had always created a barrier for me in trying this method of printmaking. As lithography depends on the principle of water repelling the oiliness of inks, the stone or plate is specifically prepared to do this using chemical processes.

So yesterday I played around with a lithographic process that is waterless, using silicone instead of water to resist ink. The end result with this process is the same as with traditional lithography without the use of so many chemicals. Waterless lithography was specifically developed as a less toxic method of producing lithographic prints.

Here is an image of the work created.


The plate is prepared and an image is drawn directly onto the plate using water-soluble materials. A very thin layer of silicone is applied and cured. The plate is then washed, dried, inked and printed onto dry paper using a printing press.

I am pleased with this first attempt and plan to experiment some more with this method.

All images Copyright © 2004 - 2010 Rosanna Jurisevic