Discussion

Shiva Inks

I found this nice box of Shiva block printing inks while organizing my studio. Unfortunately Shiva no longer exists as an ink manufacturer. They operated out of Chicago and eventually moved to their final home in Torrance, California. I believe they ceased operation four or five years ago. Shiva’s palette was based on the Ostwald […]

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Reduction Linocuts

Need inspiration or guidance on reduction printmaking? I know I do. Here’s a great overview on the methods used by Los Angeles printmaker Dave Lefner. I’ve been following his art for awhile. His work-ethic and approach to his craft is very motivating. Ahhh, so much to do, so little time… Here’s a great video by […]

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boxwood log

Wood Engraving Block Making

Here’s a couple of boxwood stumps along with a branch sitting on my messy band saw. The one in the foreground is about 8 inches across at the widest part. As you can see the wood is quite dry showing those splits in the wood. So the trick is to get as much yield as […]

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Opening at YAAW

YAAW stands for Yukon Artists at Work, with an emphasis on the term “work” just so we can be sure that making art isn’t simply the happy consequence of too much free time. Informed people know that a serious art practice involves lots of work, therefore it’s good to have that reflected in the title […]

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Pecha Kucha!

Okay, a year ago I didn’t know what Pecha Kucha meant. A Mayan ruin in the Yucatan perhaps, or another way to say hootchie kootchie? Now that I’ve attended two and presented at one of them, I now know that it’s a very happening and groovy event involving ten presenters following a predetermined theme, each […]

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Timothy Cole

Timothy Cole is another master wood engraver whose technical proficiency amazes me. He spent his entire career in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s interpreting the work of master painters like Constable and Hogarth. I happen to have in my possession his engraving of Mona Lisa, signed by him in pencil. It’s printed on a […]

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Multiple Tool

Seems a lot of folks are landing on this page looking for a multiple tool, like the kind you might wear on your belt, a Leatherman or some other such useful tool. Here we are discussing a wood engraving item which is called a multiple tool because it can engrave two or more perfectly parallel lines […]

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Making a chop

Over the years I’ve wondered about using a chop on my prints. I do like the appearance when other artists use them on their work although I wouldn’t necessarily  incorporate it with the actual print. Presently I do use a embosser for my wood engravings which I’m not hundred percent happy with. Anyway, I made […]

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Tibetan Printmaker who was jailed by the Chinese occupiers for making prints of the Tibetan flag.

Prison for Tibetan Printmakers

Imagine the police arriving at your studio to arrest you for making a woodblock print of your national flag. That’s what happened to Paljor Norbu, an 81 year old Tibetan printmaker last October. The Chinese occupation of Tibet is obviously sinking to new depths to protect their illegal control of Tibet. It’s not enough to […]

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