Printmaking in Kolkata

I had come to Kolkata for my cousin brother's wedding

in July and we had plans of going back in a month's time.

However, hubby needed to stay back to carry through

a project launch, so I happily obliged. Happily - because that meant

my chance to explore the city and its art scene.

The first thing I did was visit the esteemed GCAC

to find out if there was a suitable creative space that I could work and learn at.

A meeting with the Principal where I could share my work

and express my interest in Printmaking led to something wonderful.

The college has offered me the opportunity to attend its printmaking

department for a month, starting November 2011.

That might happen if I do stay back till December.

The college building is charming with its red walls, beautiful hand painted

murals and huge corridors wrapped in the lush green trees.

The ancient staircases and the decorative walls

are very well maintained and precious artwork adorns the walls

of this building that contains 144 years of history.

I was asked not to take any more photos but I had to share the ones I had.

I explored the possibilities of learning printmaking without having to wait that long

and that led me to my current workspace!

Am training here everyday, my current focus is relief prints.

Here are some image updates from today's work:

This is a 4 colour composition, in red-green.black and white.

Cutting the block of wood is the starting point.

The first set of prints have been taken and then you cut the block again

to prepare it for the second colour.

This is my third print, the first 2 were 2 and 3-colour sets.

It's great fun to cut up a composition on these blocks,

ink them and then take prints manually.

Another student at the studio, cuts his linoleum block

for a 4 colour print. It was my wish to make woodcut

prints for a long time, little did I know that it'll actually happen.

For those of you waiting for the Durga Puja photos (I have too many!),

I have created another blog for these and I'll be posting

all my captures (image n videos) there.

You can start following to get updates as and when the posts are made.