Laney Birkhead is a printmaker and gave a talk about her recent work.
She described how, as a beekeeper, she became interested in the problems facing bees and decided to create an artwork to highlight their plight. After finding references to the 50,000 bees needed for a thriving hive and the 50,000 miles flying to create a pound of honey she decided to aim for an artwork of 50,000 bee images.
![P1000461](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000461-300x169.jpg?resize=450%2C254)
The project involved more work than was first thought. Many groups were involved, both adult and children. Images taken from film by Paul Harris.
![P1000464](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000464-300x171.jpg?resize=300%2C171)
![P1000465](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000465-300x166.jpg?resize=300%2C166)
The bees were printed onto hexagonal sections for sewing together by volunteers. The project inspired local interest in the community and involvement of children and schools.
![P1000478](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000478-1-300x208.jpg?resize=450%2C312)
The results displayed in the format of honey frames and exhibited at St Roberts School and Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, a section shown below.
![St Roberts Catholic School Installation with artist, Laney Birkhead](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Laney-Birkhead-Swarm-Installation-0_670-300x200.jpg?resize=450%2C300)
A short film by Paul Harris was shown of the inspiration and process of the project. This can be viewed at http://laneybirkhead.com/Swarm-A-Film-by-Paul-Harris
Printmaking
Laney showed us her printing plates and described the different print processes she uses, including collagraph & carborundum printing, etching onto metal plates, and monoprinting.
Various Printing Plates
![P1000470](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000470-300x218.jpg?resize=450%2C327)
![P1000472](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000472-300x295.jpg?resize=450%2C443)
![P1000473](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000473-300x199.jpg?resize=450%2C298)
The plates are used to produce prints.
![P1000448](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000448-300x209.jpg?resize=450%2C314)
![P1000476](https://i0.wp.com/www.pateleybridgeartclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/P1000476-300x230.jpg?resize=450%2C345)
Laney runs print workshops, see details > Printmaking Workshops