Linoleum Cut Best Kept Secrets #1

"Linoleum Cut Best Kept Secrets" is a new series of blog posts I've created to share some of the techniques I've learned or made up over my years of relief printmaking. Check back for new ideas and let me know what you think!



Linocut Secret #1
Harness the power of sunshine! Linoleum is a very hard material to carve, but can be softened with heat. When I'm carving very large pieces, the most convenient heat source is the sun. Park your set up in the sunshine, and enjoy the free, even, source of energy, and save yourself some backache!

New Felt Brooches!

New! Fuzzy felt brooches from She Rides the Lion! Hand-printed and sewn from original hand-carved stamps. $12 each - buy online or in studio. They look great pinned to clothing and bags.

Trip to Havasupai Tribe in the Grand Canyon, AZ

I was lucky enough to tag along on this Cal-Earth excursion to visit the Havasu 'Baaja people, to see about building an eco-dome. To enter the village, you must park at the top of the canyon and hike down over 7 miles down and through the canyon bottom. In this picture, we are just starting our journey.


The village and canyon is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It was an extremely mentally and physically demanding trip. We were invited to do a sweat and swim in the most exquisitely colored blue-green river.


Although I became very sick on the journey, our kind host Fidel led me on horseback to see the Havasu falls - 'nough said, just look at the pictures!


Fidel, Jason, Ulises, Maria, and Brooke, thank you so much for sharing this experience with me!

New Spring Workshops

Make Your Own Stamps!
Carve your own stamps using Speedball “Speedy-cut” material. Material is softer and faster to cut then linoleum, and can be printed without a press. Learn the best techniques for designing, carving and printing. See instructor’s collection of over 200 handmade stamps! Use your stamps for fine art, stationary, and crafts of all kinds.

Saturday, April 18th: 12-3pm
Instructor: Sonia Romero
Cost: $40 per person, all materials included
Age: 10 to adult
Size limit: 12
Contact: Sonia Romero at sheholdstherabbit@yahoo.com to reserve your spot ASAP



Mono-printing with Fabric Textures
Have fun experimenting with fabric textures. Create one of kind prints using lace, burlap, linen and other fabric impressions. Make abstract or figurative pictures. Participants will be able to make 4 – 10 prints on the etching press.

Saturday, April 25th: 12-4 pm
Instructor: Sonia Romero
Cost: $50 per person, all materials included
Age: 14 to adult
Size limit: 10
Contact: Sonia Romero at sheholdstherabbit@yahoo.com to reserve your spot ASAP



Spring Linoleum Cut Workshop
Learn how to cut and print linoleum!
This workshop is great for beginning and advanced linoleum cutters alike. Participants will spend the weekend drawing, cutting and printing their own edition of handmade linocut prints on an etching press. Print in black and white or in color!

Saturday/Sunday – May 2nd and 3rd
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, including lunch break
Instructor: Sonia Romero
Cost: $100 per person, all materials included
Age: 14 to adult
Size limit: 10
Contact: Sonia Romero at sheholdstherabbit@yahoo.com to reserve your spot ASAP

Fresh for Easter

New edition:
"Pink Leaping Rabbit" by Sonia Romero
Hand printed linocut on lana cover paper, pink ink
edition of 10
Buy online here

Wild Hogs and Fiery Salamanders!

Two species I happened upon last weekend in Madera County. Each sow had six piglets, and I saw at least six sows!

Macarthur Park update

The ceramic tiles which are being fabricated for the Macarthur Park/Westlake Metro station are almost finished!

Check out Mosaika's blog to see more pictures!
http://mosaikadesign.com/blog/?cat=16

This is what is say's on Mosaika's blog:

Mosaika is working on a new project with public artist Sonia Romero for the Westlake McArthur Park Station subway station in LA. A departure from traditional mosaics, these 13 ceramic medallions and frames are hand carved, then cut into in irregular fitted sections, then fired, glazed, re-fired and re-assembled to achieve this original and highly customized look. This process was developed in order to translate Sonia Romero’s lino-cut artworks into a durable medium suitable for the LACMTA.

New Edition: The Lion in the Cage

New edition printed this week at She Rides The Lion:

"Lion in a Cage" by Sonia Romero

2 color hand-printed, hand carved linoleum cut, on arches cover paper, red and blue ink

edition of 14
image size: 3 x 3 inches
paper size: 6 x 6 inches

Say Goodbye to the Animal Alphabet!

Some of you may be familiar with my very first linoleum cut series, an animal alphabet, created in the year 2003. I have discontinued the series, and the remaining letters are on sale!


To purchase the remaining letters, go to my etsy store!
http://www.SheRidesTheLion.etsy.com

Spring is Here!

Spring is Here! Some pictures I took at my grandfarther's ranch - Hope you find them inspiring!

Happy New Year from She Rides The Lion!

"Portrait of Serena" Acrylic and Block Printing on Canvases, 2008
by Sonia Romero

Holiday Party and Show!

Avenue 50 Studio and She Rides the Lion celebrate a wonderful year of art and community!

You are cordially invited to:
the Fourth Annual Holiday Sale and Party!

Saturday, December 20, 2008 from 7-10 pm
Sunday, December 21, 2008 from 11-4 pm

Original and affordable art and jewelry by the following artists:

Sonia Romero, Lalo Alcaraz, Carmen Argote, Roberto Gutierrez, Cidne/Kevin, Los De Abajo, Margaret Garcia, Rosie Getz, Leo Limon, Leora Lutz, Stephanie Mercado, Juan Sigala, Herbert Siguenza, Ulises Ramirez with "Food Not Bombs" , Romero Family: Frank, Nancy, and Sonia, John Valdez,  J Michael Walker, and more!

Music, spiced eggnog, holiday refreshments and frivolity!

Festive Attire encouraged!

Lion Face, a new two color edition, available for sale at the studio! Click on the picture to purchase online.

East Los Angeles Pool Murals, Week 1 - 3

Meet the youth from LACC, David, Tim, Stephen, Kenny, Alfred, Rose and Derrick, my mural team for the East Los Angeles public pool murals. We commenced the project by doing an introductory workshop at my studio, She Rides the Lion. Each participant made their own mini stencil and painting along the theme of water's role in Los Angeles.


We started at the Atlantic Pool, at Atlantic and 6th street. The wall here is 2 by 300 ft, along the ground surrounding the pool.


The first step is to primer and paint the walls. Using medium and dark hues of blue paint, the team creates wild water patterns along the entire length.


The next step is to apply the stencils. We used a repeating pattern of 4 water related images.



Next we went to City Terrace, on Hazard St. The wall is 7 by 96 ft. At this pool, I chose to focus my designs on the water cycle.


Painting the wall in different hues of green.


Painting the stencil
Peeling off the stencil. The stencils are designed to be reusable, so that walls can be easily repainted if hit by graffiti.

Ta da! Next up, Belvedere and Obregon Parks..........

Winter Linoleum Cut Workshop

Winter Linoleum Cut Workshop
@ She Rides the Lion!
Saturday/Sunday – November 15th, 16th
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, including lunch break

This workshop is great for beginning and advanced linoleum cutters alike! Participants will spend the weekend drawing, cutting and printing their own edition of handmade linocut prints. Consider making an image for a holiday card or a unique framed gift. Print in black and white or in color!

Instructor: Sonia Romero
Cost: $100 per person, all materials included
Age: 14 to adult
Size limit: 10
Contact: Sonia Romero at sheholdstherabbit@yahoo.com to reserve your spot ASAP

Layered Silhouette Workshop Results!

Eleven printmakers gathered at She Rides The Lion studio, in conjunction with the Craft and Folk Art Museum, on October 26th, to experiment with paper, scissors, ink and a printing press. Thank you to all the participants of the Layered Silhouette Monotype workshop! We has some great results:



Next up at She Rides the Lion: Winter Linocut Workshop

From Linoleum Cut to Tile - Metro Station Progress Pics

Here are some progress shots on the Macarthur Park Metro Station designed by Sonia Romero, estimated installation of the project: December/January of this year!

1: Thirteen different designs picturing positive community uses of the Macarthur Park area are created in linoleum cut and airbrush by artist Sonia Romero. Pictured here, "Langers Delicatessen" (Original linocut prints will be available for sale in early 2009).

2: The thirteen designs are handed over to Mosaika, in Montreal Canada. The images are reproduced in vinyl to create a stencil


3:Powder is pushed through the stencil to transfer the image to a ceramic slab


4: The white areas on the design are carved out by hand, cleverly duplicating the feel of the original linocut print


5: Close up on the relief carving


6: Tile is cut into sections, glazed and fired.


More progress pics to come!
She Rides the Lion

Layered Silhouettes: A Monotype Workshop

In conjunction with the Craft and Folk Art Museum and the exhibition, Identitiy: Unlimited Editions:

Layered Silhouettes: A Monotype Workshop
Sunday | October 26, 2008
10:00 am–3:00 pm
$60 | $50 CAFAM members
Instructor: Sonia Romero
Location: She Rides The Lion Press (133 N. Ave. 50, Highland Park, CA 90042)

This hands-on workshop explores layering silhouette shapes inspired by Polish and early American folk paper-cutting with colorful textured backgrounds to create vibrant, painterly, one-of-a-kind prints. Express your creativity and enjoy a delicious Mexican lunch at the studio of local artist Sonia Romero.

Advanced registration required. Click here to download the registration form; for more information, contact Holly at 323.937.4230 x28 or email workshops@cafam.org.

New Print available in Etsy store!

Newly printed! "Tree of Life", a hand printed linoleum cut in china red, is now available online! To purchase, click on the picture and follow links.

"Tree of Life" by Sonia Romero

Edition of 20
Paper size: 6" width x 8" height
Image size: 3 x 4"

New Public Art Commission!

New! News! News!

Los Angeles County Arts Commission has contracted artist Sonia Romero to design and oversee the installation of a series of new murals surrounding four East Los Angeles Pool Sites! The artist will be designing the color and graphics schemes for the four sites, and leading a group of youth from Los Angeles Conservation Corps in the fabrication of the murals. The murals will be completed by December 1st! Blog updates will be available during the progression of the project.

Monotype Workshop with LIVE figure model!
August 23rd, Saturday 1 – 5 pm

Learn how to paint and print a monotype, with a live nude female model for inspiration! Class will cover different techniques of painting on plexiglass, how to print, and how to best capture the model in a limited time period. Beginners to advanced welcome, some drawing experience necessary.

Instructor: Sonia Romero
Cost: $75 per person, materials included

Students, Highland Park locals, and return students:

$50

Age: adult

Size limit: 10

Contact: Sonia Romero at sheholdstherabbit@yahoo.com to reserve your spot ASAP

Souvenir Stand

The conceptual art piece, "Souvenir Stand" by Sonia Romero, is on its way! Here are some examples of the first "products". Check in later for more developments on this exciting new project.


"Ceramic Cup" by Sonia Romero, Stoneware, 2008. Hand thrown by Mike Wood.


"T-shirt" by Sonia Romero. Silkscreen on Organic Cotton. Hand printed by Ulises Ramirez.

"Postcard" by Sonia Romero. Silkscreen on Chipboard, 2008. Hand printed by Ulises Ramirez.

She Rides the Lion Floor Project

Channeling Shaolin Zen (Chan) influences, Cesar "Swifty" Medina creates a beautiful and harmonious blue finish for the She Rides the Lion floor, using an ordinary mop from the 99 cents store. Swirls and transparent layers are reminscent of a peaceful coy pond, and the cooling teal color compliments the fiery lion energy of the art which is created in the studio. Check back for updates of the flooring project as it progresses.

Monoprint Extravaganza Results

Hella fun! Thanks for all those who participated. The energy was wonderful.

Mono-Printing Extravaganza, Sat. the 19th

One day only Mono-printing Extravaganza!
Saturday July 19th, 10-3 pm

ALL LEVELS, no experience necessary

During this fun filled day we will paint, draw and collage our way through 9 to 18 ONE OF A KIND prints. Experiment, play and print your little heart out.

Topics covered:
At least 3 kinds of monotype techniques
The difference between monoprinting and monotyping
How to paint and print a monotype on plexiglass
How to create a monotype without a printing press
How to make a ghost print and more

All materials included, such as
3 kinds of paper
Ink
Plexiglass
Brushes

Bring: (optional)
Your own special brushes
Images or ideas to work with
Lunch (restaurants nearby)

Instructor: Sonia Romero
Price: $60 (Cash or Check)
Park: Park behind gallery, turn into dirt driveway immediately next to train tracks

EMAIL TO REGISTER
sheholdstherabbit@yahoo.com

Goings on at She Rides the Lion

Barbacoa! Pics from the grand opening of the studio on June 22nd!

Linocut Cut Class - this was the first workshop on July 5th and 6th. What a success!

Sonia Romero: THE LION’S SHARE
A solo show celebrating the summer season
Painting, printmaking, sculpture, and new special project entitled, “Souvenir Stand”

July 12 – August 9, 2008
Opening Reception: July 12th, 2-6 pm

The Folk Tree
217 South Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105

SONIA ROMERO: The Lion’s Share Painting & Printmaking
July 12 – August 9, 2008

For this exhibition, the artist wanted to create work reflecting the interesting environment of The Folk Tree, which focuses on Mexican folk art, including many wooden animal masks. “My artwork has always been influenced by folk arts from around the world, stemming from my family’s extensive collection. I wanted to create a show that addressed this influence, as well as the idea of importing and selling these goods to the public.”

“All animal images fascinate me, but the giant stone lions of Europe captured my imagination while I lived in Rome in 2001-2002. Historically, they are a symbol of power and royalty. I like to think of the lions as my ferocious masculine counterpart, a creature to accompany and protect me throughout my artistic journey…And, yes, I’m a Leo.”

As the viewer leaves The Lion’s Share, they will face a souvenir stand created by Romero. She views the souvenir store as part of the American experience and comments, “Ironically, the merchandise sold in these stores is often manufactured on the other side of the world. I wanted to hand craft each and every one of my souvenirs, so that the viewer can really bring away part of the experience.”

Trip to Mosaika in Montreal

Sonia Romero Travels to Montreal, Canada!

(My B and B, Casa Bianca, looked like a castle)
<-------------

In 2007, I won a commission to create a tile mural for the hallways of the Macarthur Park Metro station in Los Angeles. After completing the 13 separate designs which make up the project, and completing all the contracting, the creation of the murals is finally under way!

This week, I was flown to Montreal, Canada to visit Mosaika, the fabricator who won the bid to create the tile work for this piece. I found Mosaika to be a wonderful, innovative, and inspiring crafthall. You can see learn more about them here: http://www.mosaikadesign.com/


I have no doubt that the tile murals will be magnificent. Mosaika has come up with an interesting solution to the extremely detailed designs I provided them with. Instead of glass mosaic installed in many tiny pieces, the project will be created with large ceramic tiles which will be hand carved in relief to exactly replicate the technique of my block cutting.

As the project progresses, I will post more pics! Estimated time of installation is this December! - Sonia Romero

Silkscreen Shop is Underway

She Rides the Lion's silkscreen printer Ulises Ramirez, skillfully set up shop at Avenue 50 and printed the first silkscreen edition to perfection. These are shots in progress of Sonia Romero's lion postcard, for her upcoming installation, "Souvenir Stand". This is a five color print.

She Rides the Lion

Announcing the opening of She Rides the Lion Print Shop and Art Studio!

The Sonia Romero Studio has moved to Highland Park, and joined forces with Avenue 50 Studio!
New 1000 square foot space offers relief, mono-printing and silkscreen facilities. Now offered:

Studio visits
Make a private appointment or arrange a group tour to see the work of Sonia Romero and/or a printmaking demonstration

Printmaking Workshops
linoleum cut, monotypes, multi-color printing, silkscreen and more