Lino-block print based on Vermeer's "Lady in a Blue Dress Reading a Letter"

So, about this picture. I thought I should provide a little background...

I wanted a unique graphic for the exclusive use of the B.L.L.B.C., something like an official seal or self-contained logo we could slap onto, say, tote bags, shirts, bookmarks, notebooks, a website, the cover of our handbook, etc.

The composition, you'll notice, is essentially lifted whole cloth from Vermeer, a reference to one of the book clubs' many shared passions (art history).

Originally she was a 1950s-looking girl, with a ponytail and big bangs, wearing a fashionable cape. And why not? It seemed fitting enough.

Somewhere along the way, though, she morphed into a Jane Austen-style heroine. Which, I realize now, was entirely necessary. You see, before, the image suggested a sleuthing, detective-novel situation -- she was snooping. On the other hand, was the first draft of Pride and Prejudice itself not in epistolary form? I think it was. This works better.

I'm pleasantly surprised with how well the whole process went. I only cut my finger a little bit. I think my skills are improving in this medium, too... although now that I've read Women Engravers I might have done some things a bit differently... I'm still learning.

There were some happy accidents. For example, without making any sort of drawing beforehand, I incised some stuff rather randomly on the map in the background, totally on impulse: a dragon's tail, a compass rose. And I'm glad I did: it looks great right above her forehead... like she's suddenly read something wonderful, or had a brilliant idea. Or her moral compass has suddenly been re-oriented.

Anyway... I look forward to printing this image on the covers of some blank notebooks. It might also look nice silkscreen-printed on a tee shirt (blue, naturally). I'm entirely open to suggestions, of course, as always. For now, good night.