8/03/2017 - BEES SCREENPRINT

I went back into the screenprinting workshop after our taught session to print more copies of my bee design. I used newsprint for it's thinness, because in wheatpasting this is a useful feature which allows the paper to grip better against a rough wall surface. I also liked the off white colour and as Carl said, anything printed onto newsprint takes on an automatically political quality.

I printed over 100 copies of the bees, managing to fit six on per sheet of paper. Throughout this I saw my printing speed and quality greatly improve as I worked. One thing I didn't consider was the sheer task of cutting around the shapes afterwards, as each outline was quite complex. It was a long job, but worth it as at the end I had a big collection of pieces ready for pasting.

Previously I have digitally printed my street pieces, however I have found screenprinting much more enjoyable, not only because it allows me to be directly involved in the production of my work, but also because of the physical properties of the print. Screenprinting makes the work feel much more traditional and slightly textured instead of the perfectly flat, pixellated print achieved by a computer. Normally there is a point between the creation of the original art and it's placement on the street where I would need to rely entirely on a computer, whereas with screenprint I am able to be involved in every stage of production which makes me feel a lot more connected to the work.