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drink the water
Travel Update: I’m still in. cdmx, waiting for.my bus to Oaxaca. I have noticed that a lot of USA people warn me to “not drink the water” when I tell them I’m going to visit Mexico. I always let them know that I love Mexican water.
this brand of naturally occuring carbonated water comes from a spring in Mexico. and is one of the most delicious waters I have ever had… plain or with the salt and lime. I have already had 2 liters, and I feel better than ever! so my advice if you ever visit Mexico is: drink the water!
packing light – 7 weeks in Mexico with only carry on luggage
I’m starting the new year with a 7 week trip to Mexico. I don’t want to have to carry a big suitcase around, so I narrowed my items to fit in a backpack and briefcase.
Sketching With The Ipad – on Old US ROUTE 62 -Old Washington, KY
Everyone has their own artmaking technique. Before I start a project, I draw with whatever tool I have available:
- I like pencils and paper, for it’s tactile quality, the ablility to shade, and correct mistakes.
- pens and markers for their lines, and no erasing keeps me from fiddling around
- the ipad for the flexibility of digital…easy changes, video timelapse of workflow
One tool i try to avoid is the camera. Regardless of what I am using, I want to draw from life. Years ago, I read a study about using a camera to look at art which suggested that we don’t fully experience a moment when we photograph it.Regardless of what I am using, I want to draw from life whenever possible. Years ago, I read a study about using a camera to look at art which suggested that we don’t fully experience a moment when we photograph it. I read another study that found drawing something helps us remember.
For this drawing, I used an app, called procreate: THE best ipad app for drawing. It has a bonus feature of recording a step by step video…giving us a peek into my thought process while drawing.
The finished artwork is going to be a woodcut–for my series about US Route 62.
I love living in Old Washington. If I ever need inspiration, all I have to do is walk a few blocks from home. This row of buildings sit on the ORIGINAL US Route 62.
The finished artwork is going to be a woodcut–for my series about US Route 62.
New Woodcut – Morning Run In The Bluegrass
US Route 62 goes through some beautiful parts of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. The long views of fences, barns and horses, running in the fields are spectacular.
I wanted to capture that feeling with my latest woodcut.
finished carving-ready to print If you’d like one of these hand pulled woodcuts (and also support my work!) you can order one through my online gallery, or with the button below
Squirrels Preparing For Winter – WOODCUT
Here is the final printing of my 16×20 squirrels woodcut. Winter is coming, so they are getting their food storage together.
They are dry, and I’m happy to mail one to you. You can order one (and support my work) using the button below.
Versailles, KY – woodcut
I’m working on a project about US Route 62. It’s one of the early US Highways. The road runs from Niagiara Falls, NY to El Paso, TX.
Versailles, KY has a special place in my heart, not only because it on on US 62, but it is the home of Laura Lee Cundiff, the artist who blessed us with her press (which now lives at the Log Cabin Print Shop)
If you follow me on the Instagram, you might remember this video I shared of the live sketches I made while visiting Versailles.
Whenever I visit a small town for the first time, the town square is one of the places I always stop. Each courthouse has its own personality–and I find it to usually represent the ‘heart’ of the community.
Versailles has a charming little church beside/behind their courthouse. US Route 62 is lined with small businesses. A few, with an impressive dome or steeple. I’m always looking for architecture that breaks up the empty space in the sky. This scene in Versailles had all my favorite things, so I squeezed them together in this woodcut.
Carving-Squirrels Getting Ready For Winter
Today, I carved my latest woodcut; Squirrels getting ready for winter.
Over the last year, I have been learning to print larger. (one secret is to use bigger knives) I want to make original, hand printed art that can fill a large space (while still being affordable). I’m thinking of younger people, just starting to put a house and art collection together. 16×20″ is a big size for me, but I really love working in this scale. Compared to working in smaller formats, these really make a great presentation
It took the whole day (and cramped hands) to carve the print, so I squeezed the whole process into 30 seconds. My plan is to print it tomorrow at the studio. Keep visiting this website for updates to see progress on this print (and my other projects)!
thanksUPDATE:Bear Under A New Star
Update: Here’s a video of the carving/inking/printing of my latest woodcut…i think it came out great!!! One thing I love about big prints is that their presence changes the entire room. This one really cheers the place up. It’ll probably take a week to dry. Once it is, i’ll offer it to you all in the online gallery
If you would like to have one for your art collection, use the button below, and I’ll mail you one!
Bear Under a New Star – woodcut Work In Progress
Bear Under a New Star – woodcut Work In Progress
I liked my christmas card – Bear In The Woods – so much I decided to carve it poster size 16×20″ Here’s a little animation of the carving process. I’ll update when it goes through the press tonight or tomorrow at the latest.
New Colors – Gamblin Etching Inks
New Ink: from Portland, OR After a busy week of studio work and traveling to see family, I was greeted by 4 new cans of printmaking ink. It was delivered to my doorstep.For the next week, you can find me busy carving, mixing ink and printmaking like a madman.
Testing the colors I’m still carving: haven’t had a chance to print these new colors yet. I did get to test them on paper–to see how they look. My favorite blue is pthalo, so I’m hopeful I can learn to work with ultramarine.
Here’s a preview of what I’m carving today. It’s the courthouse and church at Versailles, KY. The street in front of the courthouse is US ROUTE 62: one of the old highways from the 1930’s. It happens to also go right by my house and studio in Old Washington!