KenSwinson.com

Category: Log Cabin Print Shop

  • Log Cabin Print Shop Update

    Being closed for almost 2 years during the pandemic has given us a chance to think about how we want to move forward with our program. Let’s start with a short re-introduction, with a rough draft outline of what we are offering right now.

    photo of the log cabin print shop
    The studio is in historic Old Washington. It was created to provide education and a FREE working space to explore the art of traditional printmaking.
    photo of Log Cabin Print Shop Interior- work space for printmaking
    The cabin has 2 rooms. The back room is a timberframe style construction primarily used to create prints. It has 2 tables and has had as many as 6 printers working in the space at once.
    photo of robert foose etching press at the log cabin print shop
    The etching press was designed and built by former University of Kentucky printmaking professor, Robert Foose. It works great for all sizes of woodcuts, linocuts.
    photo of Hanco and Gamblin printmaking inks
    We provide a range of colors in traditional OIL BASED inks. We provide them (and paper, and use of studio) free of charge to artists of any level of ability. In exchange, we ask participants to donate some of what they print to be displayed in our showroom at the cabin. We believe that printmaking is for everyone, regardless of financial situation. We are not a non-profit organization, this project is funded from personal money by the current administrators and contributions by friends, guests and showroom sales.
    photo of the showroom and small etching press at the log cabin print shop
    The main log cabin room is the home of our smaller early 20th century etching press. it is also a showroom of work created at the cabin.
    photo of book press with handmade book by dustin cecil
    This is primarily an artist-led project. As talented as our current artist-in-residence is. They do NOT have a talent for some of the administrative duties that an educational organization needs to grow and thrive. A few of our longer term goals are to offer more programs that compliment traditional print arts: like bookmaking and papermaking. We would also love to have some repairs/upgrades on the building so that we could offer a residency program for visiting artists. It would provide an opportunity for artists to get to know and work in our community. Please watch this space for developments, if you have any questions or suggestions please reach out to us!

    This is a COMMUNITY art project, so please share any thoughts about how we could be useful for you. if you know anyone that could benefit from the studio or help with our mission, please leave a message and/or forward to help us spread the word.

  • new stamp!

    I take a lot of pride in hand carving and printing my woodcuts and linocuts, and worry that people who aren’t familar with printmaking don’t understand what they are looking at. I designed a new stamp to put on the back of all my notecards.

    rubber stamp that says 'hand carved and printed in old washington, ky' kenswinson.com

    Now instead of just my website, there’s a visual cue to illustrate the unique process that goes into the work.

  • new brayer and sheep dog linocut at the log cabin print shop

    photo of log cabin print shop in Old Washington kentucky
    Greetings From The Log Cabin Print Shop!

    We have a new brayer at the log cabin print shop!

    linocut of herding dog with sheep on a traditional press

     It’s a heavy duty piece of equipment; with a 2 1/2″ diameter.  Giving it a much wider roll out. I can print almost 3 prints without having to re-ink the brayer.  The roller surface is rubber, which is MUCH more durable than the craft brayers we have been using. 

    How do you like the print of the dog herding sheep?  You can get a better look at the linocut, with information on how you can add it to your art collection here:

  • Blue Cat In The Tree – Work In Progress Video

    Hi Everybody, it’s ken from the log cabin print shop, and today i’m going to start a new linocut.

    Right now, I’m going to start carving my tree, and let’s see how it turns out! I’m working in a size that’s a little bit new to me. It’s 6×8″ which is a little bit bigger than a notecard, but it’s not so big that it would take me days to do all the carving. I like that it’s big enough, i can get some details that I can’t get in a notecard.

    I’ve already worked all the composition out, so it’s a meditative process to just follow the lines and to cut the design into a block of linoleum. I’m working on a theme of a tree with birds and cats. I’d like to have 4 new linocut prints that all relate to each other.

    Keep checking this post for updates. I’m printing the blocks right now, and will be able to share them real soon!

    UPDATE: here they are in their bright blue glory!

  • Goat Eating Tulips – new Linocut notecard

    I have some new colored paper, and thought this new design featuring a goat eating tulips would look good on orange with brown ink. This short video shows the hand carving and printing process with a traditional press to make a unique linocut notecard. If you’d like to support my work and add one of these cards to your collection, you can order one here:

  • Horse Print On Green Paper

    got to test my new green paper last night…with green ink, of course!

  • Block printed goodies from my sewing friends!

    Remember a few weeks ago, when I started printing on fabric?

    photo of kentucky artist ken swinson, wearing a block printed mask with a bear holding a heart.

    how awesome is this?!?! a mask with my Woodcut on the fabric?!?! thank you Polly and Toni! I love it!!! it’s really comfortable too!

    beautiful blue pillow featuring block print on fabric by kentucky artist ken swinson

    One of my favorite things about printmaking on fabric, is getting to see my friends use my designs to make something new and unique. It’s even more exciting when these handmade masterpieces arrive in my mailbox as a gift!!! Thank you so much Beth Akins!!!!! I love it!!!!!

  • I’m trying a few new things

    I’m trying to find the perfect social media/life balance. For the month of September, I’m trying something new- I’m limiting my social media: only posting on facebook on Mondays, Instagram on Wednesdays and twitter on Fridays. My goal is to stop spending too much time on social media, while continuing to share and stay in touch on a regular basis.

    So far, the experience has been good. I’ve been a lot more productive. For Monday’s facebook post, I made a LIVE video, where I showed off a series of new linocuts.

    You can watch a replay of the video here:

    I also talk about the changes I have been making to my website. I’m making some big drastic changes that will make the site more up to date with modern technology. It’s going to take awhile, so please be patient while working on it.

    If you are interested in supporting my work, and adding some of the linocut cards to you collection, below are some links to help you do it. Thanks again for your support and patience during this move.

  • HANDPRINTEd NOTECARD UPDATE:

    linocut notecard depicting bird carrying mail with message that says 'you've got mail' on traditional printmaking press

    I’m not very smart. I shared my last post with only 10 notecards in my “inventory” . Your response has been overwhelming! I’m thrilled that so many of you love our USPS and want to send hand printed cards to your friends and family! I have heard that buying stamps is one of the best ways we can support the USPS (and your local artist!) I am in the cabin making cards right now. They will take a few days to cure, but I will ship them “hot off the press” by the end of this week. Thanks again everyone! You truly keep me going and give me purpose.

    linocut block print on fabric depicting a bird carrying a letter with the words: you've got mail

    Houston, we have a problem. I discovered a box full of fabric scraps, and got distracted printing on fabric. Any sewers/quilters with ideas of what I can do with these?!? This ink is machine washable!

  • Thank You USPS

    greeting card in mailbox

    I’m an artist in a rural town. Even though my town is very supportive of the arts, there just aren’t enough people in the region to support a full time artist. A majority of my sales are through my website, and shipped from my local post office. During the pandemic, when all my in-person sales opportunities vanished overnight, my online sales and USPS have been my saving grace. I’ve been able to work from home and keep my head above water during this difficult time. Thanks to my wonderful patrons and the US Postal Service

    While spending time in Mexico, i fell in love with the land, people and culture. I seriously considered moving there. The big reason I decided not to was; they did not have a postal infrastructure anything like ours in the United States. My business would not have the access to the rest of the world it does right now with the USPS.

    Now that things are being slowed down, and the service is being scaled back to save money (or whatever), i’m starting to look at private delivery services. Since this is a small town, they don’t have an incentive to serve this community. The UPS store is open only 5 days a week; from 11-2pm — that is only a 3 hour window of time. There is always a wait, and the price is about twice as much as the USPS.

    The disruption in postal service is adding stress to an already difficult time for my business. I know I’m not alone. I don’t like getting on a soapbox on this website, i’m not trying to make some politicial statement, or start any arguements (thats not why I’m here—i’m not in a political party—don’t want to be in one–please don’t go waving your policital party flag in my comments… i will delete them. I just want to share my support and appreciation for a non-political service of the US Government. Thank you postal workers for everything you do!

    if you like this notecard, and want to support your favorite artist AND the USPS, by having it shipped…and again by mailing it to a friend(win-win-win), you can order it from the Printmaking section of my gallery, there is a selection of notecards, order some hand printed woodcut and linocut cards, then go to the USPS and get some stamps!
    thank you for coming to my TED talk