Rebecca Ruggles

June 2024

What I’ve Been Up To…

Art Camp

During the first week of June, I had the pleasure of attending Feather River Art Camp in Quincy, CA. At camp, I learned about printmaking from Chris Granillo and came home with new materials and techniques to explore. Exploring new art forms and seeing other artists’ work was energizing. I feel the momentum carrying me even now that I’m home.

Printmaking & Carving

I’ve been carving drawings from my sketchbook onto wood and rubber blocks and then making prints. Golden’s OPEN gel medium mixed with acrylic paint prints well.

I like the texture of the carved print blocks. The chisel leaves behind groves that remind me of brush strokes in impressionist paintings. I decided to paint one of my print blocks and turn it into wall art.

Paper Mache Clay

Joni at Ultimate Paper Mache shared an updated recipe for her clay. The clay is made with flour, cornstarch, sugar, vinegar, joint compound, toilet paper, and baby oil. It air dries to a rock-hard shell and is affordable to make. My only concern is whether it would be prone to decay and attract weevils.

Two Nights at Susan’s Fairy Cabin in Alta, CA
Sculpting Polymer Clay with Sandra & Anne
Concertina Doodle Journal for Trip
Tent 19a at Feather River Art Camp
Inside Our Tent at Art Camp.
Name Badge Paper Crafts
Lino Plate Carving in Progress.
Print Making Class.
First Wood Relief Print of Stanley.
Ceramic Workshop Project -Terra Cotta Chime
Trying a Speedy Carve Print of Little Bug.
First Print on Hand Carved Basswood Block.
Round Basswood Relief Print.
Experimenting with the Carved Plate as an Artwork.
Ish with a Fish Carved on a Rubber Moo Block.
Paper Mache Clay Over Gourd.
Opening the Gourd with Paper Mache Shell.
Combining Observations with my Sketches.
The Bumbershoot in the Borderlands.
Polymer Clay Study for Say Wren. Working Out the Poses.
Moon Mender Relief Test Print.