Saturday, June 4, 2011

After the Rain

I have been working on this print for about 6 months. It doesn't really take that long to create an image but I usually draw it on the block, cut it, proof it on the press and then let it sit while I work on various other images. I like to look at it hanging on the wall and eventually will have time to finish it. We see so many soaring eagles on the North Shore I wanted to try and capture the simplicity of their beauty without introducing too many details. The trick for me was to try and make it look like a bald eagle without adding too much color. In the end I decided to have the yellow feet be the only bright color in the whole print. I have titled this print "After the Rain"--I can smell the cedar trees now, heavy with the fresh scent of a summer rain.


This is a 2 block sequence. Both blocks have been cleaned and are ready for printing.



The oil based inks have been mixed and are ready.


The cloud block inked and locked into the press.

The cloud block has been printed--you can see the image on the paper that is on the press.
The eagle block is inked and ready to print.



As I begin the edition the prints will hang until dry.
Depending on humidity it could be a couple of weeks now that it is summer

This was the final proof before I began the "official" printing of the edition.
This print is called an artist proof or AP.
I will keep it as the standard bearer to compare the quality of each print
to make sure the quality is the same for every print in the edition.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Ciscoes On The Run

Here is a series of pictures of a print called Ciscoes On The Run. After I have printed the dark blue color I add the light blue with watercolor paints
(Ciscoes are native to the great lakes and are part of the Salmonid family. They sometimes run in schools and are sought after as table fare. On the North Shore they are generally smoked unless you are lucky enough to find some fresh at the fish market in Grand Marais.) .


Here is the print after it comes off the press and has dried for a few weeks and is ready to have the watercolor added.
The watercolor has been added and the print is now finished--now it has to be signed and the edition number added.

They will now hang for a few days in my studio until they are fully dried and then will be ready for framing.


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

The Bear..continued

OK..so I figured to help make him look more like a bear I needed to put him in some type of context such as a forest. So I cut a second block with birch trees, leaves and grass. It is getting better. I am now playing around with colors before I commit to 2 or 3 more blocks that would bring in the final color. I use watercolors to help me in the process. Here is where I am as of right now. I also took a couple of shots of the actual wood blocks. I may not finish this before the Grand Marais Art Festival but who knows what will happen. I could hit on something quickly....


The Bear

Currently I am trying to create a print from a very quick drawing. Truly most of it was in my head. Here is the Bear alone. I was going for something simple and raw. But I am told by those who shall remain nameless that currently he looks like a combination of a porcupine and a pig--but definitely not a bear ;)
Back to the drawing board...

Cedar Tree #3

Whew! I originally cut this block 3 years ago and was underwhelmed by what I saw when it was proofed on the press. It lacked any substance. But the tide turned when I was on a hike with my family on the North Shore this late winter. I finally realized I needed some lower bare branches and a lot more rocks within the large rock structure. I simply drew some more lines on the block with a pencil and began cutting. Once I was done I added the colors I had picked long ago. What you see is the finished framed piece. Finally. Hard to believe it took that long....