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Category: printmaking
Painting/Printing on clay
I love jumping between and mixing mediums. I’ve recently been working in clay–after a long break.
A ‘Greenware’ pot – carving done and ready for the kiln I’ve been decorating with a technique, called sgraffito, where I scratch the design into the pottery before firing.
bisque fired pots-almost finished, just need glaze Here’s what sgraffito pots look like after the first fire. I love the contrast between the red and white clays.
Screen for screenprinting-burned by the sun As a printmaker, I have been curious about printing on pots. With the encouragement of a fellow artist/potter, I tried to print decals to apply to clay. After MUCH experimenting, I learned that relief printing does not give a thick enough layer of glaze, so I am taking my woodcuts and linocuts, and using them to make screens for screen printing
testing the design My only experience with photo transfer screen printing was a few years ago, when I took a workshop in Oaxaca, MX with artist, Marcos Lucero. In the workshop, we used the sun to expose the screen. It’s still taking some trial and error, but I am learning how to get a good exposure. Kentucky sun is different from Mexico sun–we have clouds!!
test print-a little bit overexposed Once I master the screen print part of the process (i love learning new things) It’ll be time for a NEW thing to learn: how to print using glaze, and then transfer the designs to clay.
Painted clay critters-work in progress Of course , it’s also possible to PAINT on clay–as long as it isn’t being used for food. These critters are almost finished. I LOVE painting on clay. It reminds me of canvas painting, but the textures and shapes of clay give it a 3rd dimension
pots being glazed for the final firing remember those sgraffito pots at the beginning of this post? Last night, i glazed them, and they are in the kiln cooling. We are going to open the kiln this evening, so stay tuned it’ll be exciting to see my first batch of pots…of course, the first batch is usually when I learn a lot of lessons, so hopefully the kiln gods are not too cruel.
Printmaking At The Log Cabin Print Shop 5-27-19
Arnold Pennington Today at the print shop we had a surprise visit from, Hillsboro, Ohio printmaker, Arnold Pennington! We enjoyed looking through his portfolio, and showing him the studio. He’s busy without a lot of free time, but hopefully will be able to come back and print soon!
Today, we printed this linocut notecard of tomatoes in a mason jar
it was inspired by last week’s linocut: Yes We Can
Thanks everyone for coming to print and watch…See you next Saturday!
Print day at the log cabin print shop 13 july 2019
Its saturday, which means, its print day at the log cabin print shop. The studio will be open to the public, with free tours and studio use from noon-5pm
My goal is to print this linocut today: a family of pigs in mud. Because when im in the printshop, im as happy as a pig in mud (also about as messy too!) This print is bigger: 8×10″ . I have 2 new linocuts to print, and 2 groups of artists are scheduled to print, so there will be lots of activity today!
4 1/2 x 6″ (notecard size) linocut of one of my favorite themes: sharing is caring. 12:10 Dustin Cecil just got back from a week long printmaking workshop at the John C. Campbell folk school.
Dustin showing new monotypes and drypoint etchings 
An experiment…gluing paper to our clothespin hangers 
This *should* keep us from denting our paper when hanging 
The “sharing is caring” inked and ready to print 
Ken using the little cast iron press 
Sharing is caring – bunnies 5×7″ notecard on acid free recycled card stock 
Color 1 of Dustin’s reduction linocut 
Going through the press! 
The new hangers doing their thing! 
Inking the pig family blocks Guest artist at the Log Cabin Print Shop
I love it when new printmakers visit Old Washington and discover the Log Cabin Print Shop! Yesterday, Andrew Cohen (and family) came from Lexington, KY to print with us!
They came at a perfect time, because I was doing some repairs/maintenance on the press, and needed someone to test it out.
Testing the press – it worked! After some adjustments, we got the press working, and printed an edition of Andrew’s linocut
Success! Press is printing with no slipping! Thanks again, Andrew, for printing at the Log Cabin Print Shop, and sharing your artwork! I hope you and your crew will be able to visit again soon.
Linocut by Andrew Cohen 8″x15″ Reduction Printmaking With John Painter
My friend John came to visit. We are both artists, and spent most of the visit making prints. We made reduction linocuts: a technique where we use the same block for more than one color. We start with the lightest color, print it, then cut the block to design the second color. If all goes well, and we line the blocks correct, we have a beautiful 2 color design. These are particularly unique because; once we switch colors, it’s impossible to print that color’s design ever again. Limited edition!
Upcoming printmaking exhibit at Appalshop
Printmaker, painter and muralist, Lacy Hale invited me to ehibit some of my printmaking work and artZines at the Appalshop gallery in Whitesburg, KY. I have been a fan of her work ever since meeting her online. Not only is her art beautiful and magical, it also has social conscious, and is closely tied to her community. She recently finished a mural for the 2nd Mountain Mural fest in Harlan, KY.
She is interviewed as part of the news coverage of the event, and the story tells is a great example of why it’s so important to have art and artists in rural spaces. You can watch the MYMT segment here
mural in Whitesburg, KY As a rural artist, I’m interested in how we can help make a positive impact on our small towns. Whitesburg is an inspiring example of what is possible when creative people stay and make a positive change in their small towns.
Whitesburg has a record store and multiple live music venues 
busy downtown Whitesburg For a small mountain town with only 2000 people, there’s a lot of creative type businesses, music venues, cafes and public art.
public art beside creek Most of the main street buildings were occupied, and my first impression was that it has a good energy, and is the kind of place I would want to visit again.
I had never visited Appalshop, but over my last 19 years as a Kentuckian, their documentaries have helped shape my understanding of our region.
analog film editing machine at Appalshop I consider Appalshop to be a national treasure. For 50 years, they have used the power of arts and culture to create meaningful social and economic change in our region. It was a thrill to see their studio and to meet some of the people who make it happen.
Appalshop Not only does Appalshop create documentaries — they also create filmmakers.
Across the street from their studio is another one of their programs: The Appalachian Media Institute (AMI).
Appalachian Media Institute AMI is a community-based arts and education center offering training and resources for young creatives and filmmakers.
One of AMI’s editing rooms The program has been helping young artists and filmmakers for over 30 years. The current program coordinator, Willa Johnson is an alumni of the program.
an artist/activist who i admire (Wendell Berry) painted by another artist/activist i admire (Misty Skaggs) hangs between 2 of AMI’s editing rooms My printmaking exhibit will be at the Appalshop gallery from July 9 until August 22nd. I’m excited to announce that, at the closing of the exhibit (August 22), we are going to kick off our next artZine season by making one at AMI!
A great space to work and collaborate at AMI This will be an opportunity for YOU to visit Whitesburg, and get to know some of it’s people–while making art together!
Our theme for Summer’s ArtZine is:
Art Makes the World Better by…
so go ahead and start working on your entries! See you in Whitesburg!I don’t take photos on the best days at the print shop
Have you ever been so engaged enjoying a moment that you forgot to take your camera out to ‘document’ the experience? That’s what happened this Saturday at the Log Cabin Print Shop!
Rachel Bollman printing with the old time cast iron press I love it when it happens, but wish I had more pictures to share the day after.
Alycia and Dustin printing with the big Wood Foose press We had a full house with 4 people cranking art through both of our presses!
inking linocuts Ripley, OH artist, Rachel Bollman crossed the river to print with us.
Rachel Bollman From Carter County, KY artist, Dustin Cecil
Dustin Cecil brought his artist friends Alycia (the geography lady)and Blake from Philidelphia
Blake and Alycia Thanks everyone for printing with us at the log cabin, we had a great time!
Beehive linocut – update
I didnt finish carving last week’s linocut, so today at the log cabin print shop, im going to finish and print my beehive linocut.
Almost finished carving… Just a few more details 
Inked and ready to go through the press! 
Going through the press 
Thank you
That’s a wrap!!!New greeting card-beehive
Good morning!!! Thanks everyone for coming out last night for final friday.
Today, im printing at the log cabin print shop from noon-5pm.While doing my morning porchsitting/birdwatching, i started this design for a new greeting card.
I was born in Utah, the beehive state. During my formative years as a young artist in kentucky, Luciano Moral , and the original beehive tavern in augusta were a big support and influence of my work.I have a few friends who are beekeepers, and i am learning about how important our pollinators are. This tuesday, there will be a talk about pollinators at the caza sikes gallery…part of Ursula Roma s wonderful mind gardens art exhibit.
I dont always draw with an ipad, but one advantage is that it doubles as a lightbox, and makes it easier to trace my design for flipping and transferring to the block 
UPDATE i have not carved as fast as i could, because some of the nicest people came to visit! I did just finish my first bee.its the cutest little thing. I put a pushpen in the photo to give you a sense of scale Keep watching this post for updates on the print. Or stop by. Ill be printing from noon-5pm.
UPDATE this is all i was able to carve today. Might come back to the studio and finish tomorrow. Thanks everyone for stopping by! Honey bear
Its open print day at the log cabin print shop. You are all welcome to visit and make prints with m3 from noon until 5pm. Today im carving this honeybear. Hopefully in time to print it too!
Finished carving the bees and blossoms…now time to carve the bear! 
Finished carving. Time for ink! Stay tuned for updates!