VivA
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vivanz.bsky.social
VivA
@vivanz.bsky.social
200 followers 180 following 77 posts
Lives in Aotearoa New Zealand. Retired after 25 years as educator. Proud mum & granny. Donkey and Whippet companion. Enthusiasms include knitting and reading (preferably at same time), growing native trees and veggies. A little obsessed with linoprinting.
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vivanz.bsky.social
Working on my first ever #linocut commission … a friend asked for a nz-summer themed Christmas card design. This is a pohutukawa blossom (known as the nz Christmas tree because it blooms bright red on green in December). Planning to print in black then overpaint in red, green and gold.
A freshly carved linocut block depicting three blossoms and two leaves on a stem. A cutting tool lies next to the block.
November 13, 2025 at 2:58 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
I made this for a friend based on a photo of her and her daughter. I love how with #linocut a few simple lines can express so much ...
Lino print image in black and white depicting a mother holding a child.
May 9, 2025 at 4:41 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
Bzzzzz - a lil #linocut experiment #bee #printmaking
A lino cut print of a bee against honeycomb. The print is made with two layers in yellow and black Two carved lino printing blocks. The one on the left is inked in yellow and the one on the right is inked in black. The layers combine to create a print of black bee on yellow honeycomb
March 19, 2025 at 9:20 PM
vivanz.bsky.social
A selection of small linoprint images printed onto used teabags. The repeated images show a steaming cup of tea, a jug, and a kettle
February 7, 2025 at 8:34 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
This was a neat little experiment - the challenge from our local print club was to incorporate something recycled in our #printmaking. I had been hoarding used #teabags for a while, so ended up making these cute little #linocut minatures. #tea #linoprinting #teapot
A small linoprint image of a kettle printed onto a used teabag Three small linoprint images printed onto used teabags. Each print is pasted onto a black card. The images are 'tea' themed, with a steaming cup of tea, a jug, and a kettle. A small linoprint image printed onto a used teabag. The image shows a steaming cup of tea in black ink. A small linoprint image printed onto a used teabag. The image shows a jug in black ink.
February 7, 2025 at 8:34 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
I loved attending my first branch meeting of PCANZ (print council) last year. A joy to meet experienced #printmakers. Each month there is a challenge. This time it was to #print using yellow. Proud to see my #linocut wētā bug among all those professional looking images.
#printmaking #linoprinting
A selection of 16 prints by different artists laid on a table. All feature the colour yellow. Images include abstracts, a chair, pots, leaves, an insect, and a flower.
January 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
vivanz.bsky.social
I share your obsession with tea and teapots … have you tried creating images on used teabags? I recently made these little #Linoprints which I turned into cards
A range of small Lino prints featuring teapots, cups and jugs printed onto used teabags A small Lino print featuring a jug printed onto a used teabag A small Lino print featuring a teacup with steaming tea printed onto a used teabag A small Lino print featuring a kettle printed onto a used teabag
January 23, 2025 at 2:12 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
January 18, 2025 at 10:06 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
Here’s a peep at the handmade picture book I created for my baby grandson. (Video is in two parts) I enjoyed every step of the process … creating the #linoprints, printing the text on an old fashioned letterpress, and learning to bookbind to bring it all together. #linocut #printmaking #picturebook
January 18, 2025 at 10:04 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
This is the final #linoprint I created for my grandson’s #picturebook. It features our ‘five precious pets’ including the dog and cat who are no longer with us (shown in pictures in the background). Quite like the composition of this one. #linocut #linoprintng #printmaking #lino
Black and white linocut image of five pets. In the foreground are a whippet, a small Italian greyhound and a cat. The ear of the whippet, the paws of the small dog and the whiskers of the cat protrude beyond the frame. Behind them are depicted framed pictures of another cat and a dog.
January 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
vivanz.bsky.social
Four cheerful chickens … in #linoprint created for my grandson’s Christmas picture book … I was happy with the ‘chatter’ as it adds texture - though I’m keen to learn to carve clean areas as I build my skills.
#linoprint #linoprinting #blockprint #chickens #printmaking
A linoprint image of chickens - two dark coloured birds at the front, smaller white and black birds at the rear. Black ink on cream paper. The image has lots of ‘chatter’ (obvious marks from carving)
January 12, 2025 at 4:56 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
Another #print created last year for my grandson’s Christmas picture book … ‘three shabby sheep’. I messed up the carving so printed it three times, cut out and collaged to give three identical heads … it kinda works … since it’s sheep!? #linocut #linoprinting #blockprint #sheep #esdee #printmaking
A lino print image of three sheep in black ink on cream paper. The three sheep have identical heads - two of these have been pasted onto the print.
January 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
vivanz.bsky.social
In 2024 I decided to a good way to learn #linocut was to make a picture book for my grandson featuring animals that live with us on our lifestyle property … here are the ‘canny kunekune’ (nz pigs). Prints are very basic but it was a fun project… #linocutting #linoprinting #kunekune #printmaking
Simple lino cut print images in black ink on off-white paper featuring a pair of smiling kunekune pigs.
January 5, 2025 at 3:52 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
I created this wētā print back in October. Registration’s a bit out but I like how the white ‘pops’. Wētā are awesome bugs - ranging from cricket to mouse sized! Lots of cave dwelling ones in the old platinum mine shafts near my home town. #linocut #linoprinting #printmaking #wētā #linocutting
A reduction linoprint image of a wētā (native New Zealand insect) in shades of tan, black and white.
December 31, 2024 at 1:57 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
Bella and Missy love it when I do the weeding! #donkeys #gardening
Two brown donkeys in a paddock eating a pile of weeds.
December 26, 2024 at 11:55 PM
vivanz.bsky.social
This print of three piwakawaka (fantails) was a gift for my bestie for Christmas … she’s a protective mum to two kids and she saw it as an image of her and her family … which I just love! #linocut #linoprint #linoprinting #printmaking #art #piwakawaka
Print of three piwakawaka (nz fantails) in grey, pale green, and black.
December 26, 2024 at 6:34 PM
vivanz.bsky.social
This was my first attempt at reduction printing from back in May 2024… It’s still one of my favourite prints so far!

#linoprinting #linocut #linoprint #printmaking #pinecone
A linocut image of a pinecone in ochre, grey, and black Four linocut images of a pinecone laid out to dry on an artists workbench A linocut of a pinecone in gold, and black ink on plum coloured paper A linocut image of a pinecone in ochre and black with some white details
December 23, 2024 at 8:23 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
I love how I learn something with every print I create …
#linocut #linoprint #linoprinting #printmaking
December 16, 2024 at 3:33 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
I love how lino cutting can elevate the simplest of drawings
#linocutting #linoprint #linoprinting #printmaking
A repeated pattern of linocut images of a stovetop coffee maker. Black ink on off-white paper A simple linocut image of 3 wine bottles and a glass inside a heavy frame. Black ink on off-white paper
December 13, 2024 at 4:11 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
Back in February ‘24 I tried #linoprinting for the first time. I was intrigued by the legend of the ‘black dog of Bungay’ so my first effort explored that. Second was a picture of my donkeys. I knew right away I was hooked …
A small square lino cut image of a giant dog leaping through the sky in front of a white moon with buildings below. Print is heavily inked in dark blue on off white paper. A small Lino cut image of two donkeys behind a fence. One is facing front, the other to the right. A mountain in the background. Dark blue ink on off white paper.
December 11, 2024 at 5:59 PM
vivanz.bsky.social
Results! I would never have thought of the colour but then my friend Kirsty called in with her watercolours
December 7, 2024 at 5:34 AM
vivanz.bsky.social
Some little #linocut blocks for Christmas tags. Most imagery ‘borrowed’ from d’internet rather than my own, but you gotta start somewhere!
December 6, 2024 at 6:32 PM