SW+04+-+Cat+with+Wings+Tessellation

Cat with Wings Tessellation Print-making method: linocut Size: Month of completion: February 2012 **Description:** As part of my optical illusion theme, I began working in metamorphosis. However, due to major complications with my previous project, I decided to focus on tessellation and eventually develop my work into a metamorphosis. In this specific print, I wanted to continue using cats as I find them culturally relevant. While researching, I came across a video that explained how to make a tessellating shape. I started out with a rectangle and every piece I cut out of one side of the rectangle, I pasted it on the opposite side. I continued doing this until I ended up with the shape drawn in the print above. The reason I have added wings to the cat is because this was one of the best solutions to having a gap between the cat's forepaws and hind paws. Also, in the previous piece I have included birds and cats, this is a possible combination between the two.The type of print used was linocut. **Analysis:**  **What were the artistic and/or cultural influences for this project?** **Who/what influenced either the composition and/or the style.** This print was influenced by Escher's work on tessellation and not metamorphosis. I have excluded research on metamorphosis in this piece and focused on tessellation so that I can develop my tessellations into a more successful metamorphosis piece. The type of print Escher mainly used was woodcut and the closest printmaking method that I was able to use was linocut. Although I am not carving into wood, carving into linoleum has the same, if not similar, effect. Like previous projects, I have used a cat because cats were practically worshiped in ancient Egypt so they are culturally relevant.

**What materials/media/processes did you use and or experiment with, and how?** I have used linocut. I carved into a piece of linoleum using a v-shaped gouge into the areas I want white. I then rolled on block-printing ink onto the linoleum. The ink did not go through the carvings. After this, I pressed linoleum on paper and then peeled off the paper creating the print shown above. I have experimented with other print-making methods including etching and mono print, however, linocut was the most successful method for creating prints like the one shown above.

I have received many advice on how to create prints and how to properly make a mono print, screen print, linocut and a print using the etching method. I also asked my teacher which print-making method I should use for this print and we both agreed upon linocut. Due to criticisms from the previous project, I made the decision to focus on one important aspect in metamorphosis so that I can make more successful pieces in the future. They were useful because they helped me make that decision.
 * How do you think you have responded to advice and criticism during this project (and during the term), both from fellow students and the teacher. Did you actively seek advice? If so, was it useful?**

**Clearly explain the weaknesses/areas for improvement -** I should have made every other cat white and add details to the shapes, however, I did not have enough time to carve these in. I spent too much time researching and trying to figure out how to make a decent tessellating shape. However, because most of the research is complete, the next piece should require less time researching. Also, some lines in the print are not carved in precisely. I should have slowed down while carving into the linoleum.

**Clearly explain the strengths of the piece –** I was able to create a tessellating shape, which was very difficult for me in the beginning of this project. Also, I believe that because I was successful in creating that shape, it will be much easier for me to develop these ideas and techniques into a more successful piece. Also the print itself is properly made compared to the many previous trials. There were very little and unnoticeable mistakes.

**What could you take through to the next project and develop further? This could be anything, from a technique to an idea, not neccessarily just the theme.** I will basically morph this piece into another tessellation and keep doing that until I have a large strip of metamorphosis similar to Escher's Metamorphose. In the next piece, I will slightly alter this tessellation. I want to continue working with portraits, however I am not sure if I should continue having the portrait in the foreground and the metamorphosis in the background or if I should have the portrait as a silhouette and the have the metamorphosis drawn across it. I feel like I should continue having the portrait in the foreground and the metamorphosis in the background and perfect that idea because the previous project was completely unsuccessful. I might work with different media since I have yet to perfect watercolor.

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