KenSwinson.com

Author: Ken

  • Block Print Animations

    Block Print Animations

    I’m trying to get better at reduction block printing…a technique for making multi-colored prints, using one block. It forces me to think a little bit different about how I design and carve…which is good, but sometimes a little frustrating.

    animation of a linocut printmaking hen

    I’m also learning to make animations. I thought it would be cool to give motion to some of my most recent reduction block prints.

    animation of a printmaking linocut rooster

    I really love mixing old with new technologies. What do you think?

  • Maysville Third Street – New Linocut

    I live in a charming little river town-Maysville, Kentucky. It’s on the Ohio River-we have the river, bridge, and lots of historic buildings. That’s a lot of picture-perfect scenery to squeeze into my latest block print.
    The print is a limited edition (im only printing 16). The  image is 4 1/2″x12″ on a sheet of 10×16″ cotton paper. If you’d like to have one for your collection, I am selling them for $60 unframed or $120 framed. I’ll pay the shipping to anywhere in the USA.

  • Cincinnati’s Music Hall – New Linocut!

    I love Cincinnati and Music, so it was a matter of time before I got around to carving/printing Cincinnati’s recently renovated Music Hall. Like many Cincinnatians, I made wonderful memories in this building, and hope to have many more.

    The print is a limited edition (im only printing 16). The  image is 4 1/2″x12″ on a sheet of 10×16″ cotton paper. If you’d like to have one for your collection, I am selling them for $60 unframed. I’ll pay the shipping to anywhere in the USA.

  • Make A Zine Meet Up – Olive Hill, KY – Love

    Make A Zine Meet Up – Olive Hill, KY – Love

    Feb 22, 2018 was our 6th monthly Art Zine in Olive Hill, KY. Our theme was – LOVE. Here are the pages. Click any of the images to see the whole album (including all our hand painted covers).
    You can download a printable PDF of the zine here:
    https://1drv.ms/b/s!AtHTtTOFjtUTowMHKIj8Gvf-9S_r

    thanks everyone for participating! Our next ArtZine will be March 26 at the Public Library in Brooksville, KY.

    (more…)
  • Love One Another

    Love One Another

    Every month, I visit a different small town and invite everyone to join me in making an art maga(zine). Our theme for February’s ‘zine’ is LOVE. For my entry, i designed/carved/printed this linocut.

    artist ken swinson printing love one another linocut

    Instead of creating an illustration about romantic love, I chose to explore the idea of ‘Love One Another’. Kindness is something I am trying to get better at, and this print has been my reminder. The magazine is printed with a laser copier, so, in the magazine, the ilustration will be black and white.

    I printed these RED linocuts with my traditional press to raise $300 so I can buy more paper (yes, it’s really possible to spend that much on paper!) – The image is 8×5″ and printed on a 9×12″ 100% recycled post consumer acid free paper. You can support my work (and help me buy the paper I need) by purchasing one of these prints for $35- not only will you get a beautiful handmade linocut, but you will also be helping support my art supply/paper habit. For over 10 years, all of my income has come from art making, and your support. thank you for making it possible!

    UPDATE: Thanks to everyone’s generous support, I was able to order my paper. Also 2 new cans of ink. My heart is full. thanks everyone for your kindness.

  • The Mural at Olive Hill, Kentucky

    The Mural at Olive Hill, Kentucky

    We are just one week away from Art Zine – Olive Hill. Our theme for the February is ‘LOVE’.
    I wanted to share something I discovered and LOVE about Olive Hill.

    mural at olive hill kentucky


    This 150 foot long mural is in the heart of Olive Hill. It’s on the main road, in front of the Old High School-now home to the Carter County Public Library and Center for Arts & Education. The mural was designed by Larry Carroll. As part of the Workforce Investment Act, through the Federal Department of Labor, the local youth were HIRED to paint the mural between 2002-2006.  Over time the mural has faded, but members of the community recently raised money and volunteers to restore the mural in front of the Art Center/Library.
    I LOVE public art-especially when the community come together to take care of it–and when youth get paid real-life work experience working in art.

    mural at olive hill kentucky


    The Library is on the 3rd floor of this building, and you can get a better look at the mural when you visit Olive Hill for our monthly Art Zine activity, (more details about that here) but here’s a close up photo of the mural for those who can’t make it this time.

    mural in olive hill kentucky
  • 2 Color Linocuts – Animated

    2 Color Linocuts – Animated

    I love it when I get a chance to combine traditional printmaking with modern art tools. I am learning to sculpt, model and animate with a 3D program, called Blender. I thought it would be interesting to see if I could use the program to animate a 2D image (like one of my latest linocuts). Here are some examples:

    animation of bunny rabbits stealing cabbage based on a linocut
    animation of linocut bunny rabbits stealing cabbage

    I’ve learned a lot through these exercises, and think the animation gives you all a new way to experience printmaking. What do you think?

  • 2 color printing

    desktop of printmaking project work in progress bunny rabbits

    One of my goals in artmaking is to continually improve my craftsmanship. So far this year, I have put a lot of focus on printmaking. Until now, all my prints have used only one color.

    busy printmaking table with green ink brayer and linocut

    I’m starting a series of Multi-Color prints. The process is similar to single color, except more factors to consider:

    Color harmony, registration (alignment), drying times, etc.

    first of two colors for a bunny rabbit linocut print
    brown bunny 2 color linocut by kentucky artist ken swinson


    I won’t say that every day has been fun or easy, but I love to challenge myself, the bunny below is one of my first multi-color test prints.

  • Make A Zine meet Up – Morehead, KY – Passages

    Make A Zine meet Up – Morehead, KY – Passages


    The Zine you are reading is a collaborative work by Artists from different small towns in Kentucky. We met on January 12, 2018 at the Rowan County Public Library in Morehead, KY, and created work around the theme:
    PASSAGES

    Because of winter weather advisory and warnings, our turn out was smaller than normal. However, A brave group-most who lived close to Morehead-Were able to come. One of the best things about smaller groups, is that we had more time to get to know each other, and to hear everyone’s remarkable stories.. We all felt like it was well worth venturing out into the winter weather.

    I met Alice Reynolds for the first time at this zine meet up. She is a music teacher from Morehead. At 91 years old (she gave me permission to share her age) she is still enjoying life and playing music. Many years ago, before the Morehead State University existed, Rowan County had what was called the “moonlight school’ It taught adults how to read and write at night. Alice’s father was a postman, and she remembers part of his job (in addition to delivering mail) was to read the mail to some of the people he delivered to, because everyone did not know how to read and write back then.

    Kay Schafer, is an artist from Morehead, KY. Her poem about becoming a senior citizen captures her bright and positive personality. Kay was also a big help in organizing the ArtZine in Morehead. Thanks, Kay.

    Melany Workman was the youngest of 11 children, and grew up in this 5 room house in Rowan county. She now owns and operates the Cave Run Manor in Morehead, and is a great caretaker for her residents.

    Melissa Barker is an artist and teacher from Grahn, Ky. Her drawing is the first art she has made since the recent loss of her father. Because she has participtaed many times, we are going to visit Melissa’s neighborhood for February’s ArtZine. More details soon.

    I have known Helen Chadwell for many years, the first time we met was while she was a volunteer for the Morhead Art Guild Art Show. More recently, she has visited my studio, and we have made prints together. Her drawing/poem is about the passages of life.

    Ken Swinson wanted to illustrate the idea that we can overcome the obstacles we encounter in life…with a little help from our friends. Thanks everyone for being a part of my journey!

  • ArtZine December 2017-Mt. Olivet, KY – MIRACLES

    ArtZine December 2017-Mt. Olivet, KY – MIRACLES

    I am working on an art project where I visit a different small town each month. The idea of this project is to encourage artists, writers and people of all walks of life to know each other, through visiting each others’ communities and making art together.

    Last tuesday, we met for our FOURTH Art Zine, and met in Robertson County, KY at their Public Library. Here is what we made together:

    You can click any of the images for more details and a full album of all the zine’s hand painted covers.

    Ken Swinson

    Mari Leet

    Velda Smiley

    Jennifer Wert

    Lauri Aultman

    Jennifer Gleason

    Barbara Morgan

    Jim Lally

    Carol Mitchell

    Genda Highfield

    credit page

    you can download and print your own copy of this zine through this link:

    https://1drv.ms/b/s!AtHTtTOFjtUToQaL6vXQp_Cq6ce8

    You can also view share and download our album (including the 15 handpainted covers) here: December ArtZine – Mt. Olivet- MIRACLES

    You can also follow our Art Zine facebook page for more information about future projects.