KenSwinson.com

Author: Ken

  • Greetings From Historic Route 62

    I am working on a project about US Route 62, and wanted to make greeting cards that I can mail to friends while traveling the historic highway (1930)

    US Route 62 design on wood block, ready to be carved
    Once I traced the design onto the block it was time to start carving
    work in progress- lettering for US 62 Woodcut
    I’m not sure what I was thinking with all the details in the words…careful cutting.

    work in progress photo of US ROUTE 62 woodcut Halfway carved
    Got those tedious little letters carved…now to cut all the way around the USA
    Work In Progress photo of US ROUTE 62 woodcut
    everything is cut, except one importand detail…
    work in progress photo of US Route 62 Woodcut
    US Route 62 – from Niagara Falls, NY to El Paso, TX!!

    Will carve later this evening and update with photos of the finished print.

    GREETINGS FROM HISTORIC US ROUTE 62

  • A New Star – Christmas Card designs 2018

    Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can share my latest designs for this year’s Christmas Cards!!! They are still wet, and drying, but I will have them available on my website early next week.

    FUN FACT: this video was made entirely with my phone and tablet. I’m getting ready to take a trip, where I won’t have access to a computer and I wanted to see how much editing I can do using only mobile devices

  • bear in the woods – woodcut

    i was busy with some other projects and did not get to print today, but I DID get to carve another candidate for this year’s Christmas card.

    woodcut of bear holding a heart with printmaking knives on the side

    I liked the bear in yesterday’s card so much, I thought it deserved its own design. hopefully, I’ll get to print both tomorrow.

  • Christmas Card 2018 – carving

    you might remember last years Christmas card. it was of barnyard animals sitting under a bright, new star. see it here.

    today I started my 2018 Christmas card. I wanted to stay with the new star theme… but with woodland animals!


    uncarved wood block for printmaking
    The design is drawn on the woodblock and ready to carve
    work in progress of a woodcut christmas card
    First, I carved the stars and doves
    work in progress woodcut of chirstmas card
    More carving to make the stars twinkle, and to bring out the shape of the tree
    work in progress woodcut christmas card
    The bear has a face now!
    carved woodcut for christmas card printmaking
    The carving is done.

    I’m going to print it tomorrow afternoon, and will share print pictures of the final woodcut.

  • 2 color sheep woodcut – VIDEO

    This video walks you through the process while I make a 2 color/2 plate woodcut from an existing 1 color woodcut design. The original layer is used as a key block, to guide the cutting of the gray, background layer. Instead of using a complex system to line up the 2 layers, I just eyeballed it and registered the plates by hand.

    If interested, i’ll update this post with purchase information once the prints are dry (1,2,3 days from now)

    UPDATE 1 : i don’t want to give you the wrong impression that my tests are always successful…i just don’t always include them in the videos. Here’s a look at the REAL first try through the press:

    animation of sheep printmaking woodcut being revealed

  • Artwork featured in Energy Insurance Agency’s new Cincinnati East office

    Energy Insurance Agency, just opened a new office in Cinncinnati East, and used my artwork for the reception area.

    ken Swinson paintings of cincinnati framed and on display

    I see my artwork in a studio setting all the time, but its a special treat to be able to see my artwork in it’s forever home.

    ken swinson cincinnati paintings framed an on display over a desk

    Here are some photos from their grand opening.

    artist ken swinson paintings of cincinnati framed and on display with still life of flowers

    Thank you Energy Insurance Agency for supporting local art in your new office!

    artist ken swinson paintings of cincinnati framed and on display at reception desk

    If you are in the Cincinnati East area, give their office a visit, to see the art and office in person. They are happy to help any size business, small or very large, with coverage options including business insurance, employee benefits and bonds.

    they serve customers all across the country, so even if the office isn’t close, you can visit their website: www.energyinsagency.com for more information.

    thanks again Energy Insurance Agency for supporting my work.

    photos courtesy of Carrie Glover

  • background layer for a 2 color woodcut

    printmaker ken swinson using a traditional press to print sheep poster woodcut

    today, I’m at the Log Cabin Print Shop, printing the background layer for a 2 layer woodcut.

    ill update with a finished picture as soon as it’s complete.

    UPDATE : layer 2

    animation of traditional printmaking woodcut technique of sheep

  • Armistice day 100 year anniversary…my weapon of choice

    animation of artist ken swinson inking woodcut with traditional printmakinng brayer

    I’m celebrating by spending the day with weapons of mass creation

    traditional printmaking brayer with warning sticker 'weapon of mass creation'

  • Printmaking at the Log Cabin Print Shop – Greeting Cards

    I got to print last night’s carving today at the Log Cabin Print Shop. They turned out great! I’ll put them on the website (along with some other notecards) once they dry.

  • Log Cabin Woodcut – Work In Progress

    graphite test of log cabin printmaking woodcut traditional technique

    I stayed up too late carving this little cabin woodcut. Below the carving is a graphite rubbing (to preview how it will print)
    Keep checking in, my plan is to print and share tomorrow.