Printmaking on the back deck.

Just as I was about to begin printing two Kookaburras started laughing in the tree right near my humble printmaking studio which is situated on our tiny back deck. The sunlight was dappled as the sun sank behind the trees. 

Today I printed the artist's proofs (AP's) of three new plates. These new pieces stem from a long year of creative experiments working with wood. I am very pleased with the results and will be offering 'bird of hope' up for sale soon.  They will be available in two sizes A4 and A3. Printed on lovely Fabriano F4 print paper these pieces will look stunning professionally framed. 

 'Bird of hope' AP Hand printed print on Fabriano  A3 2013 By Katie Alleva   

 'Bird of hope' AP Hand printed print on Fabriano  A3 2013

By Katie Alleva

 

 

 

'Bird of hope' AP Hand printed A3 Fabriano paper 2013By Katie Alleva

'Bird of hope' AP Hand printed A3 Fabriano paper 2013

By Katie Alleva

CREATIVITY & TODDLERS →

I am so happy to finally begin blogging on our official website! It feels like home here with everything (almost) parked under the same domain name. I have links to our social media presence like: Tumbler, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook,  Pinterest, Flickr and so on.

 I would like to officially welcome you to my new website and I hope you visit often, wander around and soak in the view. 

I am a busy mother at present, caring full-time for my 2 year old son and running Alleva printmaker. Although I only have one child, I find myself living an unpredictable life. Some days are better then others. I guess we all experience this. The ebb and the flow of life.

 The chaos and sheer adrenaline rush of motherhood can only be a good thing for creativity. It's like the pot is often being stirred.  Yet it's a time when for once in my life I feel defined by the choices I've made along the way. Meaning, I know who I am just that little bit more and that is conducive to being able to focus on what it is I want to achieve. 

 While I am waiting for what seems like forever as my wide eyed child jumps in muddy puddles for the first time, I find inspiration in the experience and appreciate how within the most simplistic moments there can be such joy. When I finally get a break from my son I often set to work in my studio, if I don't have a pile of dirty clothes the size of Mount Vesuvius waiting to be washed!   I guess now more then ever, I find a sense of wonder and excitement in the simplest ideas and work really hard to stay focused and allow those imaginative childlike meanders to take me on a journey into the unknown.

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GIVEAWAY on our facebook page


CLICK THROUGH to our Facebook Page - Alleva Printmaker to enter our Giveaway.

Please note: The giveaway tab is on the top right of our page near the shopping cart and it is turquoise in colour and says, Tree of Life GIVEAWAY, Alleva printmaker. You just need to enter your details to enter so I can email the winner in two weeks time. Also, this is the legitimate way to run a giveaway on Facebook. We are required to use a third party to follow Facebook's Rules.

If you would like to read more about Facebook's rules click here for an informative article.

Feel free to enter as many times as you like and it would be grand if you dropped by and 'liked' our page. The Giveaway prize is a Tree-of-Life jewellery pack of our very own Alleva printmaker range. When you enter you will see pictures of the prizes.

There is only one winner and your privacy and details are protected and respected.

Thanks,

Katie x


FROM WATER COLOUR PAINTING TO JEWELLERY




'Lady with the Red Shoes', silk necklace, by Katie Alleva, 2013. 




'Lady with the red shoes', Watercolour and ink on paper, Katie Alleva, 2007.


'Lady with the red shoes', was made in 2007. I was running a market stall at the Byron, Bangalow and Channon Art & Craft markets at the time and there was quite a bit of interest in this style of imagery and medium. I ended up making a series of these ladies. They were all standing under trees at night with a bird watching them, however this is the only painting where the lady is wearing red shoes. 

Coincidently I was reading 'Women who run with wolves' and it was no walk in the park as it took me a year to read. One of the chapters caught my attention and it was Clarissa's analysis of the cautionary tale originally written by Hans Christian Anderson. You can find an insightful analysis here by Vivienne Tuffnell and/or read the short version of the tale here but I recommend buying the book, Women who run with Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, PhD.

Now be warned it is a dark tale and one that is about addiction and therefore is about the choices we make. However, the image I created has an element of positivity (of course!), after all it is just a fairytale. In my picture the lady is dreaming of her hopes and dreams and she has the red shoes on. However, she is standing under the 'tree of life' and it's luminous golden aura is offering her one last chance to rid herself of her dark addiction. The scene marks a major turning point in her life. 

The bird is the listener, and it is waiting for her to let go, unwrap herself, open her eyes and awake from her slumber and confront what it is that keeps her engulfed in the darkness. She is tired and it is time for her to fight her way back to the light and finally take off the red shoes.




Detail, 'Lady with the red shoes', digitally printed silk fabric and wooden beads, Katie Alleva, 2013.

SURFACE, FUNCTIONAL OBJECT, GLASS DOME EARRINGS

2013 is all about expanding the 'Alleva printmaker' product range and utilising original designs on different surfaces and functional objects. 

Let me introduce you to the MOLESKINE® pocket notebook with screen printed cover collection. Aren't MOLESKINE® notebooks just the bomb!!! I love the silky smooth acid free paper and the way the little book fits perfectly in my hand bag. Grab yourself an awesome black felt tip and you are set to fire away with all those creative ideas.


This year we have outsourced the printing of our designs onto cottons and silks. The outcome so far is the new Tree of Life range fabric brooch. An ethereal design that is bound to lift your mood when you wear it. It comes attached to a blank textured card and beautiful sunny yellow envelope. A perfect little gift.


Original hand coloured intaglio prints under glass domes create the most unique earrings around. If you like to wear something no one else has then these are the earrings for you. 

 The glass domes appear to magnify the imagery beneath creating a striking burst of colour and interplay of light.


Available here

BLACK LABEL EARRING SALE - FACEBOOK EXCLUSIVE





Original illustration digitally printed on 100% silk. 1.5 cm button earrings. Nickel free. 

$18.00 plus $2.50 postage


Original 'Alleva printmaker' screen print on reclaimed linen. 1.5cm button earrings. Nickel free. 


$18.00 plus $2.50 postage




Original 'Alleva printmaker' screen print on reclaimed linen. 1.5cm button earrings. Nickel free. 


$18.00 plus $2.50 postage



Original 'Alleva printmaker' illustration digitally printed on 100% cotton. 1.5cm button earrings. Nickel free. 

$18.00 plus $2.50 postage


Original 'Alleva printmaker' screen print on reclaimed linen. 1.5cm button earrings. Nickel free. 


$18.00 plus $2.50 postage



Original 'Alleva printmaker' screen print on reclaimed linen. 1.5cm button earrings. Nickel free. 


$18.00 plus $2.50 postage

For SALE EXCLUSIVELY on our FACEBOOK PAGE


Sale closes Sunday 5pm

The Birds have flown....


The birds have flown down to PAPER PEAR on Gurwood Street, Wagga Wagga! Yey! They are now in the hands of the talented Stephanie Day and her gorgeous gallery.


It took an entire day of flying to get there. It was one of the roughest flights 
ever so the birds and I took a pit stop at Three Chefs (aka the Tourist) to 
refuel. 



The birds also brought a colourful series of funky hand-printed button earrings 
and brooches. All unique and made up on the Northern Rivers of Australia in an 
outside studio, just inland from Byron Bay, in a little village called Kyogle. 



Alleva printmaker is very excited to launch these pieces into the world. It was 
hard to let them go as they are loved so much but we know Stephanie Day, the 
owner of Paper Pear will take good care of them as she sets each bird off to a 
new home.


This is an example of what you will find at PAPER PEAR - a unique 57mm 
hand printed GALAXY brooch.



These are the birds (see above) that traveled from the North Coast to inland  
Wagga Wagga. A most special series of birds. Why? Because almost all of the 
birds are unique state prints containing an array of techniques. Below is a 
rather large blurb about how they were made.

Paper, Print & mixed Media Techniques


Katie Alleva has been machine stitching on paper and specifically her prints for 

fifteen years. It has become her trademark. Katie is also known to create 

timeless imagery where the space around the central shape is considered to be 

just as important as the central image.

Black bird: embossed retro doily on Fabriano Printmaking paper – creates a 

luscious textural quality to the work. The blackbirds have been hand cut and 

consist of the same emboss but have been hand painted using ink. The bird has 

been machine stitched onto the embossed paper. These pieces are ‘unique 

state’ prints -only three made but they are all different.


Rainbow bird: The background is an embossed doily collograph print with a 

machine stitched bird and twig cut out. The bird has been hand screen printed 

with original designs by Katie Alleva onto reclaimed linen fabric. This is a 

‘unique state’ print or artist’s proof. Only one made, (A/P means artist’s proof 

and is the most collectable print of any limited edition).


Landscape Bird:  An original photograph digitally printed on 300 gram 

Hahnemuhle Paper (known as one of the highest quality printmaking papers). 

The bird is a hand paper cut from an original lino cut emboss. The bird is 

adhered to the landscape image and floats perfectly as if suspended in time. 

This piece is a ‘unique state’ print – only one made.


Blackbird Singing (red dot): Katie Alleva has hand screen printed the red 

dots onto 300 gram (heavy weight) Hahnemuehle printmaking paper. Then a 

hand cut image of the bird was hand screen printed on top. This print is part of 

a limited edition of 5 prints.


Crochet Bird – Essence Series: Katie Alleva’s love of cloth, paper and print 

fuse to create these stunning works on paper. The bird is a timeless symbol 

that reminds us to take time to slow down and find quiet in our busy lives. The 

doily reminds us of stories told of a feminine kind passed down from our female 

ancestors. 


The work consists of a collograph print a hand cut bird, reclaimed doily, and 

 machine stitch on high quality Hahnemuehle paper.


Only 5 made in a limited Edition called Crochet Bird – Essence edition. 






Limited Edition Jewellery & Accessories


This year Katie Alleva has launched a new series of hand printed cloth brooches 

and button earrings. Her love of collected cloth and all things 'textiles' ignited 

here in Wagga Wagga in her second year of university, (at Charles Sturt 

University) when Katie completed two years of textile subjects with lecturer 

Julie Montgarrett. 


Katie found herself immersed in dying fabrics utilizing Japanese Shibori 

techniques, screen-printing onto cloth, machine stitching onto her prints and 

papers and even onto goat’s skin.


After a burst of creativity Katie Alleva now offers a unique range of colourful 

hand printed fabric button earrings both stud and drop options presented on a 

hand printed embossed dot circle tag. The earrings are hand assembled in her 

North Coast studio by Katie herself.

The above image, is the 'Tree of Life' original illustration brooch and drop earring set, by Katie Alleva. The fabric has been digitally printed onto 100% cotton fabric.

The 57mm hand printed fabric brooches or badges are a stunning and funky 

way to brighten up a neutral top or dress. Each one is unique. Printed with 

water based ecofriendly inks by hand in her outdoor North Coast studio in 

Kyogle NSW. A small range of digitally printed original illustrations is

also available (see above). More stock, (images printed on silk and cotton) is

being made and will be available in early March.


Katie utilizes her original designs to create simple prints on collected cloth 

surfaces. She often layers a multitude of screens in different colours creating 

an interesting interplay of depth with vivid colours.


Each brooch is hand pressed using a badge maker and then attached to a 

handmade embossed card.


Quite a lot of thought, time and practice goes into making these special one off 

pieces. Next on the list is a collaboration with an Australian silversmith, hand 

printed silk scarves and cloth necklaces. Stay tuned for their release in Winter.



What's in the studio at the moment?

The contemplation of a circle. I have always been attracted to circles because they symbolise so many things that help me understand this life. They also present life's great mysteries, the planets, stars and universe and the cycles of the seasons. 

The texture of paper hums like a fine harmony. The rainbow is a wonder of nature. Rainbows have a presence. I usually stop and marvel at its beauty and structure. 





The prehistoric bird. The runner, the watcher, the survivor. The great camouflager. Quick in flight and movement. Aware of its surroundings.



SEWING ON PAPER



Intaglio, paper and machine stitch on paper are my true loves.


 Machine stitching on paper has been an important part of my arts practice for the last sixteen years. I still machine stitch and cannot give it up. For some reason, something stirs inside me when I combine these elements. 

 Machine stitching the selected fragments is like the glue that binds the books that tells the story of my arts practice.


Machine stitching on paper is intrinsic to my practice. 

 I work in an industrious yet instantaneous manner, composing as I go, intuitively selecting fragments of print, old books, collected papers, paper-cuts, drawings, ink paintings and fabric.

The space around a shape or stitching is very important to me. The simplicity of the compositions allows the materials and textures room to breath. 

I love to collect textural things from op-shops or vintage collectable shops often at random and store them away until one day often years later I find a home for it within one of my machine stitched mixed media pieces. 


Often the machine stitched collages are just as interesting on the back as they are on the front.

Sometimes I leave the threads uncut to create a sense of movement.

                                          'The answer is blowing in the wind.'                 Katie Alleva                2007



Bird & Stone, Metaphors & Similes

'Bird & Stone' is a new series that has evolved not only from the recent friction caused from changing and re-branding our name but also from the reality check that not all things are as they seem. 

The idea for 'Bird & Stone' anchors itself somewhere within the duality of the sea, one day calm and peaceful and the next day wild and treacherous, and therefore is used as a metaphor. On a deeper level this work responds to our amazing capacity for resilience in times of hardship. 

This work also investigates the concept of 'authenticity' and questions the grey area between the original and the platitudinal. 

Sometimes the vision is blurred by 'smoke and mirrors' and at other times it's like the clarity of looking at the stars from on top of a mountain on a clear, balmy summers night.

The boat you were navigating through calm sunlit waters turns unknowingly towards the peril of the rocks. 

There is pressure on all fronts, a heavy gale at the back, a strong wind ahead, currents twisting and churning. There is no escaping the inevitable storm ahead. Or is there?

Right in that moment you are suspended, thoughts of longing dissipate. The senses are 

heightened.

'work-in-progress'

2013, By Katie Alleva.

Staying true to my name.

We have changed our name! Well - we are still in changeover mode and trying it out. It may still change but for now I am Katie Alleva. 

I like the tag of 'print-maker' because it's like a play on the current 'maker' movement and I am also in the process of categorising my work as I work in many mediums and therefore I am looking at an array of names and titles for each edition or series of work.

If you head on over to my shop www.katiealleva.com.au you will see what I have started to do. I hope to change over the names with the seasons. That is if life doesn't start taking over my zest for creating. As you know, life is constantly changing and throwing a few curve balls for us to catch or dodge. 

Things may slow down here for a little while as I log off from the online world and start working in our local art gallery over the next month on a casual basis. I am looking forward to working on the flip-side of the creative world. A blog, a website, social media or an online project are great ways to display your work and meet new people who are working on their creative endeavors but we still cannot forget or devalue the importance of exhibiting in and/or visiting art galleries. We need to experience the artwork or beautifully crafted object on the physical plane.

One of my biggest ongoing challenges is, (due to inappropriate photography equipment and set-up), 'how do I capture the beauty and detail of my textural textiles pieces and works on paper?'

 My absolute love is the 'impressed, the inked and the embossed' on gorgeous high quality 300 gram printmaking paper and the only way to truly revel in its sublime beauty is to feel it and study the raised and indented surfaces with a wondrous and curious eye and heart.

 So, this year marks the year of high quality product shots. I am determined to achieve this. So bare with me as I experiment and fail and experiment and one-day succeed. :)




Enjoy every moment! 



New colours, new designs and a new year!


The last (or first) 8 days of the new year have been spent in my studio -morning, day and night. When I am not in the studio I am chasing my active toddler who wants to run around outside poking sticks at rocks and picking white daises, and generally he 'want go garden' all the time. Also, I wash a never ending pile of clothes with bits and pieces of soiled face washers and tea towels.  I have been listening to my husband write and record new songs, been grocery shopping, and reading gorgeous books to my boy.



What can I say? It has been the most inspiring and wonderful start to a new year ever - it is total bliss to be able to live freely and creatively knowing that we have all we need. To bunker down in our creative spaces is to strike gold. We have been working hard over the last sixteen years - experiencing, collecting and improving our studio set-ups and obtaining equipment that enhances our creative explorations. 


 I find myself crazily driven, like a multi-tasking Olympic champion of efficiency. After having my baby, I remember feeling a little bombarded by the demands of being a mother and felt as if part of me peeled away and then something was missing - 'I' didn't exist anymore - it was all about the little person.

Hour upon hour of breastfeeding, pumping, holding baby close, rocking, singing baby to sleep in the wee hours of the morning, snuggling and changing dirty nappies all took a toll on any form of creativity blossoming. Or did it?

To be honest, I have found being a mother the most inspiring and creative journey of my life. I wont deny that it has been equally the most challenging thing as well. I guess I chose to turn around my feelings of entrapment, suffocation and creative repression and use them to my advantage. I became driven by my fellow female ancestor's stories of struggle to obtain an identity other than 'mother.'


 It was late one night while I was breastfeeding that I conjured up the 'Little Paper Tree' name. It derived from about a list of five possible names I had written down years ago. I created this blog at about 3am with babe in arms out of shear passion, frustration, ambition and need. 


You see, I day dreamed all the time about being the creative director of my own label as a designer and a visual artist. I yearned to be freely creating and sharing every single day of my life and therefore making a living and more importantly, I yearned to support others through creative education programs, and continue to learn from others as well. 

I had a vision of a beautiful space where freedom of expression and support were paramount. The space housed a concept gallery, shop and education facility that proudly displayed the work of all that participated in a joyous wonder of creative expression, technique, soul, goodness and humbleness.

The sharing of technique/s and ideas is part of my inner make-up and soul. I believe a work of art or product made by a 'maker' is unique because it's their hand, eye, experience and intellect that creates each of their pieces. Even if they are working within similar bounds.

Getting back to the start of 'Little paper Tree' - not only was my son born, but my new label was born too and hopefully the above vision becomes a reality one day.

'Little Paper Tree' means a lot to me - it is not just a label, it is a way of living, a way of learning, sharing and being inspired by others and a way of loving life. 

It is all things positive and beautiful.  It's the best of me - and the best of you.


 I hope that 'Little Paper Tree' prints are appreciated for their uniqueness; for they are grown from a seed grounded in the earth that reach for the sky like branches stretched upwards forever expanding into the universe. 


New G A L A X Y original print brooch and earring sets - available now on the Little Paper Tree Shop.


Op-Shop Delight


Op-shopping is my way to unwind, my treat, my meander away from the hustle and bustle and my inspiration. I feel like I need to say thank you to the person who donated these gorgeous pieces to my local op-shop. 

These peices are so delicate and detailed and bursting with creativity and life.


The beautiful hand embroidery from a loving hand and eye.


The exquisite natural linen with vibrant reds and oranges with intricate crochet framing its glory.


A regal flower in full bloom and silky leaves hang over a wandering brown line.


A gorgeous pink rose necklace with blue crosses.



Little blue violets.


Elegant poppies with black centres.


 Hibiscus with curling leaves...


Beautiful carnations embroidered in a multitude of tones.


A pile of the most delicate and exquisite lace embroidery table centres.

Making original - inspired designs.

This post shares a little about the stories and inspiration behind my artwork. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the techniques I employ to realise a final and somewhat humble outcome.

What inspires my original designs?


The sunflower seedling I planted watered and cared for.


The trees in my backyard adorned with a multitude of red, yellow and pink flowers.


The sun.
(Etching and mixed media By Katie Alleva)


Particles, atoms and round things that make up the universe.
(Drawing by Katie Alleva)


The rustic clean up area of our backyard studio - the screen rests against a palm tree.



Flocks of birds flying in valleys after the rain dissipates.
(Photograph By Katie Alleva)


The women's stories that weave fine threads into ancient geometrics.


The make-shift backyard screen printing studio - hills-hoist drying rack with pegs.


The machine stitched collage of ripped and cut hand painted etchings, and digital transfer.
(By Katie Alleva)


The design printed on a canvas bag.


The design printed in yellow echoing the yellow of the flowers in the tree.


The photograph I took of a full-moon, turned to half-tone dots in Photoshop.


Then screen-printed in magenta over yellow.


 The inspired brooch a work of art to wear.


The drawing of a bird for my son when he was born.
(Drawing by Katie Alleva)


The humble brooch an inspired work of art - the silhouette was created from the drawing of the bird.


The quick print session while my toddler sleeps and the rain pours - cyan on old pages from deleted library books.


The layering of inspired designs onto a reclaimed and incomplete embroidered linen tablecloth - revealing new patterns.


The interplay and magic of colours.

GIVEAWAY time!!!


Once the Little Paper Tree facebook page reaches 150 likes we will be giving away this beautiful screen print and embossed dot print. The last print left from an edition made in 2009. It is like a fine wine, looks better with time on it's side! 

 Visit our facebook page and share the giveaway image with friends to be in the draw. New likers will also be included in the draw. 

 Thanks for your support. :)