Entanglement: Transformation 0356-4-8, copyright 2023/2024 Douglas Stockdale –
My practice of utilizing a print weave of my cyanotypes continues to be a a creative journey. When I began the weave methodology earlier this year, my practice was pretty straight forward as to the weaving process that resulted in a uniform mosaic pattern. Since I was just starting this concept, the resulting weave prints were somewhat random in what was revealed and what was hidden, while it was difficult, if not impossible, for me to foresee what the resulting weave print pattern would look like.
Truth is, the final weave print is still a bit of a visual surprise, while at times I enjoy the randomness of this process and other times it’s a bit vexing.
Nevertheless, I am starting to pre-visualize what I hope is the final print weave to help establish my conceptual narrative. Such as combining two versions of the same image that have contrasting hues and tonalities that arise from the cyanotype printing process. Or combining prints that are of two view points of the same or similar subjects, or two unrelated subjects that might create an interesting dynamic.
The other aspect of my weaving process that I have recently incorporated is what I will call an ‘irregular’ weave pattern, such that at the end of the weaving process, the resultant matrix is not a series of consistent patterns. When I identify what I would consider an important element that I want revealed in the final print, I have started to change the weave pattern mid-print to ensure that this visual element is present.
An example of this irregular weave pattern is the print above that I completed last weekend for my on-going Entanglement series. For me, one important element in the combined print to keep present in the final print are the steel posts and connecting barbed wire that are in the foreground. Thus as I weaved this section of the print, if what I want revealed due to the sequencing would be concealed, I changed the weave pattern, which was to allow the post to be shown, then later in the weave I would repeat this weave pattern so at the end of that weave, it would appear consistent.
A secondary consideration for this weaved print was revealing the mid-distant house and white fence on the right border to provide a contrasting counter-point to the barbed wire fence line that might increase the visual tension. The serendipity of this change in the weave pattern is that while revealing the two elements, the barbed wire fence and house, this change also revealed more of the adjacent tree. Thus, implementing this new weaving methodology revealed an unanticipated element that in retrospect, seems to help complete this image. Who knew, but I think it works better than what I had intended. Magic!
I continue to find this weaving methodology extremely interesting (translation: I plan to continue investigating this aspect of my journey).
Make every day an Earth Day
Doug
Artist book available:
The Flow of Light Brushes the Shadow, an artist book from Singular Images Press, 2022, $60.00 (CA sales tax for those residing in the USA) plus shipping expenses. Message me douglas.stockdale.artist@gmail.com
Singular Images 
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