Category: Log Cabin Print Shop

  • Log Cabin Print Shop 2-15-2020 – goats woodcut

    This is a big (for me) woodcut 16×20″. My goal today is to finish carving it while i’m working at the Log Cabin Print Shop from noon-5pm.

    woodcut work in progress 3 goats standing on top of each other

    You are welcome to stop by: to see how the woodcut is going -or- to make your own!

    close up of finished carved woodcut of baby goat standing on mama goat's back

    UPDATE: im finished carving. This little goat at the top is my happiness! Time to ink and test proof

    artist holding test proof of 3 goat woodcut

    The test proof. I am happy!

    The Finished Woodcut! 3 Goats!

  • The John P Parker House – Painting

    Remember 2 weeks ago, when I made a block print of the John P. Parker house in Ripley, Ohio?

    Well, i thought it was such a great scene (and important historic landmark) that I made an acrylic painting of the scene!

    If you are a fan of John Parker (like me) you also might like this painting I made a few years ago

  • Log cabin print shop 1-18-2020 john p parker house

    I’ve finished carving the John P Parker house linocut. I started it last week. Its a small linocut 4 1/2×6″, so it was a challenge getting the small details.

    carved linocut of the John P. Parker house in ripley ohio
    Cut and ready to ink!

    Time to proof. Will update with the result!

    putting ink on a linoleum block print
    Update 1:inking the linocut
    first proof of a linocut notecard of the john p parker house
    Hot off the press!
  • Log Cabin Print Shop 1-11-20

    animation of cabin on windy day

    Its warm, but windy today at the log cabin print shop.

    sketch of the the john p. parker house in ripley ohio

    Today, im going to make a linocut of John P Parker’s house. A few days ago, i made this sketch while in Ripley, ohio.

    different sketches of the John p. parker house being developed into a linocut

    I made a few adjustments to the design, and now, im ready to start carving!

    work in progress carving linocut of the john p parker house in ripley ohio

    Saturday’s carving progress

    Stay tuned for updates!

    Update: See the finished print here

  • Log cabin print shop 1-4-20

    Last week was busy at the cabin. The cabin was filled with artists, so i didnt get a chance to do any personal printing. The holidays are over, and its a rainy saturday. I expect it wont be as busy, so my goal is to carve this linocut.

    preliminary sketch of dog with bone for linocut
    carved linocut of dog holding bone - ready to ink

    almost finished carving!

    animation of ink being rolled onto linocut of dog holding a bone

    Inking the linoleum block

  • Harriett Beecher Stowe – American Hero

    A long time ago, a teacher named Harriett Beecher came to Old Washington to visit. She later became famous for her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which depicted the cuelty of slavery. Her book was a big influence in the USA’s shift in attitude away from slavery. Part of the inspiration for ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ came from her experiences here in Kentucky, and across the river in Ripley, Ohio.

    Sketch of Harriett Beecher Stowe for linocut
    my sketch for the linocut – Harriett Beecher Stowe

    It’s inspiring how Harriett used her talent to help social progress in the USA. I wanted to honor her with a linocut.

    Harriett Beecher Stowe Notecards hanging to dry
    notecards

    I wanted to portray her with a halo, a quill in hand, her book in the other

    I thought they’d make good notecards. They are a fun way to share art with your friends, and Harriett would probably appreciate seeing us write letters using ink and paper

  • Peace on Earth-from the Log Cabin Print Shop

    partially carved linocut and sketch of a cabin with star over it with text that says peace on earth

    I’m working on a new linocut greeting card for the holiday season.

    carved linocut of cabin with star - ready to be inked

    Peace on Earth is always one of my favorite themes

    notecard of log cabin with star shining over it includes text: peace on earth

    The finished print!!

    drying rack with log cabin notecards

    A batch of hand printed greeting cards, hanging to dry. Wil be ready later this week. Look out for them, and hope you are all having a happy holidays!

  • Bunny Rabbit Block Prints – Work In Progress

    My sketch for a new linocut-a happy bunny with carrot

    sketch of a bunny in front of a house, holding a carrot

    after transfering the design onto a block of linoleum, it’s time to carve!

    a close up of carving a linocut

    the finished design, carved and ready for ink

    carved linocut before printing

    inking the block

    animation of ink being rolled onto linocut

    the finished linocut! Printed on acid free, recycled craft brown paper, with envelope

  • Work in progress- print day: small town, big heart

    Carving is finished, so now its time tonprint the latest linocut.

    photo of ink being rolled over a linocut
    Inking the block
    animation of test proof being revealed
    The proof
    first proof of linocut with a village, sheep, horses and birds
    linocuts hanging in drying rack
    Fresh new linocuts in the drying rack
  • printing and handbuilding in the clay studio: 11 August 2019

    Posted on  by Ken Swinson — Leave a comment

    I’ve been busy in the clay studio. It’s been a learning curve, but I have figured out the technique to transfer designs onto pots.

    redware bowl with white slip and decals
    bees and flower design
    2 shelves with bowls and mugs ready to be fired
    shelf with bird and bee designs-ready for the kiln

    Now that I know what I’m doing I started a new design for rice paper transfers. The theme is Trees and houses.

    positive of design for screenprint houses and trees
    positive of the design

    Today’s burn didn’t work out like I had hoped, but I have another screen ready, and will try again tomorrow

    screen for ceramic decals being exposed in the sun
    Using solar power to expose the design onto the screen

    now it’s time for a new color: Electric Blue!!

    blue underglaze drying to be used for screenprinting
    Electric Blue Underglaze…drying to screen print consistency

    I love surface decoration. One of my favorite forms is the rectangle or oval. It’s almost like a canvas for a traditional painting. Today I handbuilt a small oval plate.

    painting slip over redware plate
    painting white slip on an oval plate

    And I love my critters! Spent some time working on new ones:

    clay sculpture of a cat
    clay cat
    clay sculpture of a cow
    clay cow
    clay sculpture of a dog
    clay dog
    clay sculpture of a pug dog
    another clay dog!

    Stay tuned to see the progress!