As you read the title of this post, I hope you heard David Bowie in your head like I did. What are these tech changes David and I speak of? I'm no longer posting on Instagram because of Zuckerberg's political activities. If you'd still like to connect via social media, you can find me at Blue Sky.
In other tech news, I'm scheming on ways to improve this blog/newsletter and considering jumping over to a newsletter platform (Mailchimp? beehiiv?) that makes it easier for conversations to happen. Please let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like me to include in future posts - reports on printing an image from beginning to end, illustrated/art book recommendations, sketchbook spreads, poetry about printmaking tools - the possibilities are endless.
Finally, thanks for the requests to get my little Black-capped Chickadee linocut print up on my shop. I finally posted it: "My Little Chickadee"
I love this print because of both the process (lots of experimenting and drawing directly on the linoleum block) and the end result. It's got six colors (2 ochres, a brownish gray, 2 other grays, and black) and it was done with just one linoleum block. I used a reduction printmaking process to make it, which means I carved and printed the same block for all the colors, running the block through the press each time after I carved and inked it, ending up with a limited edition of 25 prints. Here's the progression of colors:
In the end, here's how the block looks. Not bad considering I ran it through the press more than 175 times.
All that's left is what was printed in black, and I'll never be able to print the resulting image again (although I suspect chickadees will continue to pop up in my art for some time.)
Sorry it took so long to get this up on my website. I've been wrapped up in making a new reduction print (one of six images designed to be hung together) while enjoying the quiet, dark winter. I love this time of year. There's just nothing like reading a book with a cup of tea by the fire after a walk in the winter woods. I hope you've also been finding ways to relax, rest, and enjoy the little things. As always, I'd love to hear from you. And if you're an artist on the Olympic Peninsula who is looking for in-person community and connection, hit me up!
Cheers!