Gift the World with Your GiftsBlock prints and guerilla art tactics

Consider this idea:

We can do no great things, only small things with great love. (Mother Teresa)

Nice, but…

What does it have to do with art?

Nice, but…

What does any of this have to do with art? You, as visual artists, are in a very unique and special

position in which you can enrich the world, transform it, and make it a better place for everyone

Nice, but…

What does any of this have to do with art? You, as visual artists, are in a very unique and special

position in which you can enrich the world, transform it, and make it a better place for everyone

How, you may ask?

The practice of guerilla art

What is guerilla art?

Guerrilla: a member of an irregular force that combats stronger regular forces

What is guerrilla art?

Keri Smith: “any anonymous work… with the distinct purpose of affecting the world in a creative or thought provoking way.”

Examples of guerilla art

What is guerrilla art?

A method of art making where the artist leaves anonymous art pieces in public places… There is no one motivation for making guerilla art. However, popular reasons include statement making, the sharing of ideas, the desire to send out good karma, and plain fun.

http://guerilla-art.wikidot.com/what-is-guerilla-art

Examples of guerilla art

What is guerilla art?

“[Guerilla artists] reawaken a sense of connection to the environment by pointing out something I might now have seen, by adding a new image to the world that is unexpected, or by presenting an alternate point of view.” (K. Smith)

Examples of guerilla art

Why practice guerilla art?

Every act, thought, and choice adds to the permanent mosaic: Our decisions ripple through the universe of consciousness to affect the lives of all.  Every act or decision made that supports life, supports all life, including our own. (David R. Hawkins, MD, PHD)

Examples of guerilla art

Examples of guerilla art

Why practice guerilla art?

“For a moment I am taken out of my known world and presented with an alternative, one that is unexpected and daring, one that makes me think about the space a little differently.” (K. Smith)

Examples of guerilla art

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)

The challenge:

Create a piece of art to gift to the world. This will be your own small way to alter your

world in a positive way. We will be using rubber block prints to create

our art Consider the possibility of multiples as an

attribute of printing and the tactics of guerilla artists.

Brainstorm your ideas: What sort of artwork would make me happy

to unexpectedly discover? Is there a message I want to spread? How do I want to spread it?

Interactive? Unexpected gifts? Tweaking an everyday object?

Where do I want to spread it?

Consider your media:

Consider the multiples yielded from print making

What are some intrinsic characteristics and abilities of paper? Folds? Simple structures? Inexpensive? Readily

available?

What type of paper to use?

What are some limitations?

Lines must be at least as thick as a sharpie line

The ease with which rubber blocks can be carved also makes them surprisingly vulnerable to mishandling; handle (and especially transport and store) mindfully!

Designs with more than one color take careful forethought and consideration

My example

Next few classes

Videos and demo of carving and printing with a rubber block Use graphite transfer method to transfer image to rubber block Stabilize transfer by going over the design on the block with a

ball point pen or sharpie Carve Use brayer and ink plate to apply ink Print…… and….. Share with the world!

How to begin:

Sketch at least 4 ideas and choose your favorite What sort of printed paper artwork would make me happy to unexpectedly

discover? Is there a message I want to spread? How do I want to spread it?

Interactive? Unexpected gifts? Tweaking an everyday object? Beautification?

Where do I want to spread it?

Develop this idea to fit up to a 4x6 rectangle

Video tutorial

http://www.dickblick.com/block/printing/

Color in printmaking

resources

How-to videos: http://www.dickblick.com/block/printing/ Kindness quotes: http://

www.randomactsofkindness.org/inspirational-kindness-quotes