What will I be doing? Taking part in the Cross Country Clearprint national project! I have one week to complete an original piece of artwork on an 6x8 book of vellum paper. Once I complete my art, which will include calligraphy, it goes back to Clearprint where it will be photographed and the image put up on their gallery page. Then it will be sent to another artist elsewhere in the country. There are several books being circulated. Here is the website to check to see what artwork has been placed into these books. You can also check into signing up to contribute your own artwork in the books. - www.clearprintpaperco.com

There is a really nifty way to work on pyrography if you do not want that hand-made  look but want a really professional finish and be able to duplicate it as many times as you want. This is by using  the laser engraving machine. Even if you are not an artist but just have a creative urge and you can use your computer to format your design.

Here’s just an example:

Type it out, change the font to what you want, then pick the size.

Pirate’s Treasure inside!

Pirate’s Treasure inside!

Next, add a picture:

                                               

           

Put them together, then as a unit it can be imported to the laser cutter.

Pirate’s Treasure inside!

Put them together, then as a unit they can be imported to the laser cutter. Here's a video that shows how the laser cutter, used as a wood burner, prints out the design:


CO2 Laser Engraving Machine


Alas, this is a machine that I do not yet own. I am still doing it by hand, one piece at a time. This in itself is not a bad thing. There is a lot of satisfaction for making each piece a unique work of art. However, it does take time and a good deal of it. But in the world of art, you can approach a project in a variety of ways and each way can be perfectly acceptable and pleasing.