Year of the Ox Print Exhibit

I just got word that the Year of the Ox print exhibit is officially online here.

Like last year, a group of people answered Proof Studio Gallery's call for traditional prints to celebrate the Year of the Ox.

This was my submission

Stubborn as an Ox etching, aquatint



Here's an excerpt from an article about what the Year of the Ox holds in store for us. Click here to read the full article to see what the Year of the Ox means to you personally.

According to Chinese Astrology, 2009 is a particular type of Ox year, it is an Earth Ox year. As well as the cycle of twelve Chinese Year Animal signs, there is a cycle of five elements (earth, metal, water, wood and fire), so a complete cycle is 60 years. There are five types of Ox year: Earth Ox, Metal Ox, Water Ox, Wood Ox and Fire Ox.

The pre-dominant element of the Ox is earth, so in an Earth Ox year, the earth will be especially intense. The earth element is about stability and any movement will be slow and steady. The Ox is considered to be the most persevering and responsible of the twelve animal signs and its influence will make us more hard-working and inspire us to bring some order to our business and home lives after the turbulence of the Rat year.
Earth holds back water, so communications can easily be hindered and extra care will be needed in negotiations to avoid misunderstandings. Ploughing on one step at a time will bring greater rewards than trying to find short-cuts, quick fixes and fast bucks. Put the pedantic nature of the Ox to good use by checking all the small print to avoid broken promises, for this is a year where we can run into muddy waters. Ensuring that your messages are crystal clear will avoid you getting stuck. During business negotiations avoid sitting such that you are facing North-east. Sitting with your back to the North-east may give you the upper hand, but if you are looking for a win-win scenario, avoid either party facing the north-east across the table.
Ox year is time to be persistent without being pushy. Over-aggressiveness and over-ambition will not force closed doors open. Rather, wait for the sound of the bolt easing back before you give a gentle nudge and make your entrance bit by bit. This is not a time for heat of the moment decisions and uncertainty will hang around a lot of solutions.

In the climate of credit crunch, the Ox influence will bring about consolidation in many industries. A practical down to earth approach will serve better than elaborate strategies for many of us. Caution will still blow in the wind, yet success and prosperity will come to the lucky ones.According to Chinese Astrology, 2009 is a particular type of Ox year, it is an Earth Ox year. As well as the cycle of twelve Chinese Year Animal signs, there is a cycle of five elements (earth, metal, water, wood and fire), so a complete cycle is 60 years. There are five types of Ox year: Earth Ox, Metal Ox, Water Ox, Wood Ox and Fire Ox.

The pre-dominant element of the Ox is earth, so in an Earth Ox year, the earth will be especially intense. The earth element is about stability and any movement will be slow and steady. The Ox is considered to be the most persevering and responsible of the twelve animal signs and its influence will make us more hard-working and inspire us to bring some order to our business and home lives after the turbulence of the Rat year.
Earth holds back water, so communications can easily be hindered and extra care will be needed in negotiations to avoid misunderstandings. Ploughing on one step at a time will bring greater rewards than trying to find short-cuts, quick fixes and fast bucks. Put the pedantic nature of the Ox to good use by checking all the small print to avoid broken promises, for this is a year where we can run into muddy waters. Ensuring that your messages are crystal clear will avoid you getting stuck. During business negotiations avoid sitting such that you are facing North-east. Sitting with your back to the North-east may give you the upper hand, but if you are looking for a win-win scenario, avoid either party facing the north-east across the table.

Ox year is time to be persistent without being pushy. Over-aggressiveness and over-ambition will not force closed doors open. Rather, wait for the sound of the bolt easing back before you give a gentle nudge and make your entrance bit by bit. This is not a time for heat of the moment decisions and uncertainty will hang around a lot of solutions.

In the climate of credit crunch, the Ox influence will bring about consolidation in many industries. A practical down to earth approach will serve better than elaborate strategies for many of us. Caution will still blow in the wind, yet success and prosperity will come to the lucky ones.