Sunday, December 26, 2010

Precis Orythia on Green #2 (Collagraph of Butterfly)

I decided to try doing some butterfly collagraphs in a smaller size. 
This is the first version.  The background color is printed and
the butterfly is hand painted. There are two more color 
variations to come.
The image size is 7" x 7"
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Song Sparrow 1 (Collagraph of Bird)

I'm still experimenting with my process. I started out printing some
of the color.  Then I printed the black, followed by some hand coloring
and finally I printed a couple of layers of texture on the background.

The image size of this original hand-pulled, textured collograph 
of a song sparrow on teal background measures 
7.25" x 9.25" (18.4 cm x 23.5 cm).
Paper Size: 9.5" x 11.5" (24.1 cm x 29.2 cm)
Varied Edition
Printed on Arches cover white paper

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Rainbow Trout on Yellow #9 (Collagraph of Fish)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled, 
hand-colored collagraph of a rainbow trout 
measures 3.75" x 6.5" (9.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Paper Size: 5.75" x 8.25" (14.6 cm x 21cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Varied Edition

Friday, December 10, 2010

Lookdown on Green #8 (Collagraph of Game Fish)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled, 
hand-colored collagraph of a Lookdown 
(game fish) measures 3.75" x 6.5" (9.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Paper Size: 6.5" x 8.5" (16.5 cm x 21.6cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Varied Edition

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Striped Bass on Gold #8 (Collagraph of Fish)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled, 
hand-colored collagraph of a striped bass 
also known as Rockfish measures 3.75" x 6.5" 
(9.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Paper Size: 5.75" x 8.25" (14.6 cm x 21cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Varied Edition
All images © Bonnie Murray 2010

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Skipjack Tuna on Blue #7 (Collagraph of Fish)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled, 
hand-colored collagraph of a Skipjack Tuna 
(aku, arctic bonito, oceanic bonito) 
measures 3.75" x 6.5" (9.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Paper Size: 5.75" x 8.25" (14.6 cm x 21cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Varied Edition

Monday, December 6, 2010

Littlehead Porgy #7 (Collagraph of Gamefish)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled, 
hand-colored collagraph of a Littlehead Porgy 
(gamefish found in West Indies and Key West) 
measures 3.75" x 6.5" (9.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Paper Size: 5.75" x 8.25" (14.6 cm x 21cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Goose and Gander #1 (Original Collagraph)

Egyptian wall paintings were the inspiration for this original 
hand-pulled collograph of a goose and gander.  
I keep experimenting with different textures and ways to approach my technique.
Image Size: 6" x 9" 
Paper Size: 8.5" x 11" (21.6 cm x 27.94 cm)
Varied Edition
Printed on Arches cover white paper
This piece could be matted to fit an 11x14" frame

Friday, November 26, 2010

Look Who's Talking #1 (Collagraph of Black Lab)

 This hand-colored collagraph of one of my black labs, Pesci,
was created from a photo I took a couple of years ago 
after a decent snowfall. He obviously had lots to say about it.

Image Size: 7.25" x 9.25" (18.4 cm x 23.5 cm)
Paper Size: 9.5" x 11.25" (24.1 cm x 28.6 cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Varied Edition
All images © Bonnie Murray 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Resting Pelican #2 (Collagraph of Bird)


I created two larger versions of this pelican several years ago.
Due to their popularity I thought I would try to compose a smaller
version of this guy.  I did some experimenting with the background
and am still doing so.  This is how one of the first ones turned out.
My husband liked the plate as it was so I thought I would include
it in this post.

Original hand-pulled, textured, 
green, alizarin crimson, orange, yellow, collograph of a resting pelican.
Image Size: 6" x 9" (15.2 cm x 22.9 cm). 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Grouper on Green #1 (Collagraph of Fish)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled, hand-colored collagraph 
of a Grouper measures 3.75" x 6.5" (9.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Paper Size: 5.5" x 8." 
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Varied Edition - each print is unique because of the hand coloring.
This piece can be matted to fit an 8" x 10" frame

Friday, November 12, 2010

Cedar Waxwing #1 (Hand-Pulled Collagraph)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled collograph of a
Cedar Waxwing measures 9.25" x 7"
Paper Size: 11" x 9"
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper

If interested in more information or purchasing please email me!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Wacky Cat #1 - Hand-Pulled Collagraph

I recently found a recipe in "Cook's Country" called Wacky Cake.  
It is quite simple and surprisingly quite good.  
When I started working on this cat I thought the name 
Wacky Cat seemed appropriate.  
I am still experimenting with color variations.
The image size of this collagraph is 6" x 9"
Paper size is 9" x 11"
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Eastern Bluebird #1 (Hand-Pulled Collagraph)

The image size of this Eastern Bluebird 
collagraph measures 9.25" x 7".
Paper size is 11.5" x 9"
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Brook Trout on Gold #8 (Collograph of game fish)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled, hand-colored collagraph 
of a Brook Trout (gamefish) measures 3.75" x 6.5" (9.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Paper Size: 5.5" x 8" (14cm x 20.3cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Can easily be matted to fit a standard 8"x10" frame

Monday, October 25, 2010

Northern Cardinal #1 (Collagraph of Bird)

The image size of this original, hand-pulled collograph of a male Northern Cardinal measures 9.25" x 7" 
Paper Size: 11.25" x 9" 
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper

Sunday, October 24, 2010

American Robin #1 (Collagraph of Bird)

Image Size: 6" x 9" (15.2 cm x 22.9 cm). 
Original hand-pulled, textured, rust, orange black and grey
 collograph of an American Robin on a yellow green background.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Barred Owl on Green #2 (Hand-Colored Collagraph)

I've experimented with a number of versions of this guy and at this point I like this one the best.  
The image size of this original, hand-pulled, hand-colored, collograph of a barred owl measures 9.25" x 7" 
Paper Size: 11.5" x 9" 
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Varied Edition

Friday, September 24, 2010

Barred Owl #1 (Black and White Collagraph)

I am working on a color version of this guy as well.  Hopefully I will be posting that in the next few days.
The image size of this original, hand-pulled, hand-colored, black & white collograph of a barred owl measures 9.25" x 7" 
Paper Size: 11.5" x 9" 
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Edition Size: 50

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Carolina Wren 4 (Collagraph of Bird)

I created this wren initially with the intent to print only in black and white.  I decided to add some color to this and see what would happen.  So here it is.  I kind of like it.  The image size is 6" x 9".

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tree Sparrow #3 & #5 (Collagraph of Bird by Bonnie Murray)

Tree Sparrow #5

Tree Sparrow #3

Above are two more versions of this guy.  Not sure which one I like best.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Tree Sparrow (Art, Printmaking, Collagraph of Bird)

This is the second stage of the printing process.  I decided to try something new this time.  I printed some of the color first and then printed the black textures on top.  I think this lends itself well for this subject matter.  Don't know that I would like it with my still life work.  I have been experimenting with other ways of doing this so I will post those in the coming days.

Stage one - I just printed the color first.

This is the plate for the black part of the printing process.
Image size:  7.25" x 9.5"
Paper size:  9.5" x 11.5"

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Dragonfly

I came across this dragonfly in my backyard a few weeks ago.  When I saw him I ran back into the house to get my camera.  To my delight he was still there when I returned.  I shot several shots, but think this was the best one.  I then decided to do a collagraph based on this guy and you can see below what transpired.

The Mysterious Dragonfly

The image size of  this collagraph measures 12.5" x 19".  This guy caused me some problems.  I originally wanted this to be a black and white image.  I liked the texture on the background but
knew it would cause me problems and it did.  It was just too much so I tried to tone the background back a bit which you can see below.  I was still not happy and decided to add color. That too was a challenge.  Anyway you can see the progression thus far.




Saturday, July 17, 2010

Black is Back 2 (Black and White Collagraph of Crows)















The crows disappeared for a couple of years, but they are definitely back now. There must be a family living nearby in the woods because they have been spending a lot of time in my yard these days. They have even been hanging out at the bird feeder. That's a new one. A few summers ago they would battle the squirrels for pears on our pear tree. I can remember seeing them hanging upside down trying to pull the pears from the tree. Quite a sight. I guess it was time for me to pay closer attention and create a piece of artwork with them as my focus.

Image size:  13" x 17.5"
Paper size:  15.5" x 19.5"

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Welcome to the Farm #1 (Collagraph of Black Lab)













The image size of this original, hand-pulled, hand-colored, black & white collograph of a labrador retriever propped up on the railing of a fence measures 11.5" x 17.5" (29.2 cm x 44.5 cm)
Paper Size: 14" x 20.5" (35.6 cm x 52 cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Edition Size: 20
All images © Bonnie Murray 2010


If interested in purchasing please email me!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Chester #2 (Print, Art, Collagraph, Dog, Basset Hound)















The image size of this original, hand-pulled, hand-colored, black & white collograph of a basset hound measures 7.25" x 9.5" (18.4 cm x 24.1 cm)
Paper Size: 9.5" x 11.5" (21.6 cm x 29.2 cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Edition Size: 20
All images © Bonnie Murray 2010
If interested in purchasing please email me!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Dusk #2 (Print, Art, Collagraph, Labrador Retriever)













The image size of this original, hand-pulled, hand-colored, black & white collograph of a labrador retriever measures 6" x 9.5" (15.2 cm x 24.1 cm)
Paper Size: 8.5" x 11.5" (21.6 cm x 29.2 cm)
Printed on Arches Cover White Paper
Each print is signed and numbered
Edition Size: 20
All images © Bonnie Murray 2010
If interested in purchasing please email me!


My sister captured this wonderful Lab while he was propped up on a fence. He looks very much like one of my labs and I just had to do something with this photo. I may do another larger version of this which would include the fence rail on top. I think there's something interesting with the rail on top and bottom.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Stilt #4 (Print, Fine Art, Collagraph of Water Bird)



















There was something about the simplicity of this guy that got my attention.  When I was cutting the bird out of the background I thought I would use the texture that I would normally discard and create an abstract version (which you can see in the following post).  Anyway I don't know that my abstract version was particularly successful, but I did learn some things.  The image size of this collagraph measures 15" x 7".

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Stilt on Circles (Stage 1 - Black and White)



















When I was creating the plate for the more "realistic" version of the stilt I decided to try and do a more abstract version  using the bird shape that I cut out of the background when creating the first "realistic" stilt.  (If you look at the background of the next stilt that I post you will know what I am talking about).  I recently acquired this circle texture and was anxious to try it out. Once I glued all my textures to the illustration board I inked up the plate with black ink, wiped it, placed a dampened piece of paper on top of the plate and ran it through the press.

Stilt on Circles (Stage 2)



















In this stage I created another plate by gluing canvas to illustration board.  I then transfered my design onto the canvas, mixed the colors, rubbed the ink into the canvas, placed the plate carefully on the dampened black and white version and ran it through the press.  I probably should have left it alone at this stage, but I was curious what would happen if I added more circles to the background.

Stilt on Circles (Stage 3)



















I decided I wanted to experiment and add more circles to the background.  I created another plate by gluing the circle texture to illustration board.  I then coated it with a thin layer of gloss medium.  I mixed a mauve color, inked and wiped the plate (with tarlatan), placed it on the dampened print and ran it through the press.  Unfortunately I did not achieve what I was looking for so I tried using black ink.  That worked better, but I thought the circles were too dark.  So I went to stage four.

Stilt on Circles #3 (Print, Fine Art, Collagraph) fourth stage



















I printed another round of yellow ink to subdue the background somewhat.  In the process it killed some of the vibrancy of the color too.  I may have to come back in with more color . . . not sure.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Three Strawberries



















This is a monotype I did for a possible project for my sister.  I thought I would post them since they are kind of fun.  I have been working on a couple of paintings and some collagraphs which I will be posting in the next couple of days.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Bruno #2 (Collagraph of Labrador Mix)



















I was commissioned to do a portrait of Bruno . . . I think he looks like quite a character.

Collagraph on Arches Cover White Paper
Image Size: 9.25" x 7" ©2010
Edition Size: 20
Each print is signed and numbered.
This one is sold but there are more so if you are interested in purchasing please email me.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Brook Trout #1 (Color Version of Hand-Pulled Collagraph)













Collagraph on arches cover white paper
Image size:  12.5" x 20"
Paper size:  15.5 x 23"
Edition size:  10

Below is the black and white prior to printing color.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Lookdown on Green #7 (Hand-Pulled Collagraph of Game Fish)












Collagraph on arches cover white paper
Image Size:  12.5" x 20"  ©2010
Edition Size:  10

The lookdown is a game fish which is usually silvery on both sides. (I have obviously taken some liberty here in my color choices).   In the western Atlantic, the lookdown is found from Canada and Maine south to Uruguay, which includes Bermuda and the Gulf of Mexico.  They usually live in shallow water near the coast, along hard or sandy bottoms.  Below is the black and white before I added color


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Rainbow Trout #5 (Hand-Pulled Collagraph)













Collagraph on arches cover white paper
Image size:  12.5" x 20"  ©2010

I have been doing some smaller black and white collagraphs of fish and thought I would do a couple of larger pieces in color.  The image below is the b&w before I added color.