ken

A collection of facebook and Instagram “stories” while creating the rainbow roll

Today, i stayed busy by printing at the cabin. I tried a new technique, called the ‘rainbow roll’ it’s when you use more than one ink on the same roller. It’s a little bit like juggling-trying to keep the correct consistency of all 3 inks at the same time. it took some getting the hang of, but I did it!

This was also my first experience printing with process colors (yellow, magenta, cyan). I’m used to painter colors, like: ultramarine blue, burnt umber, viridian, etc. CMYK process colors are different – id say mixing them feels more scientific than artist colors.

As an artist, I like to think the work I do is essential. If nothing else, during this time of high anxiety, making art has helped me ‘keep calm and carry on’. The COVID 19 pandemic has brought a lot of our non essential economy to a halt.

I’m self employed, which means I don’t have the safety net of unemployment insurance, but IM OK: I have plenty of art supplies, food and toilet paper. I’m paid up on all my bills. I don’t have children to provide for. I’ve already started this year’s vegetable garden- sweet peas are in the ground!

This global emergency isn’t the right time for me try to sell art. I don’t have to be pushy and beg my friends and patrons to support my work right now. IM OK. Take care of yourself, and your family, check on the elderly and at risk people in your community, support someone whose business is in free fall…I am going to keep making, and I’ll sell you something really pretty and big and expensive once life gets back to normal.

Most of my business is ‘in real life’ sales. A lot of us have had to move their work online, and I’m going to try to do the same. I have been making some charming (6×8″) woodcuts printed on 8×10 heavyweight paper. If your financial situation is secure, and you’d like to have one, they are for sale at $20 each. You can use the purchase buttons above, or visit my online gallery to view other work for sale. The sale will help, but don’t feel any pressure to buy. IM GOING TO BE OK.

Keep an eye on this space. I’m going to keep making art, and will share online in hopes of providing cheer and inspiration for you all. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND EACH OTHER
-Ken

I already wish i had carved it bigger, this is 6×8. I combined 3 of my favorite things: printmaking, pottery and pigs! Title is: pig in mud. Will print later this afternoon. 

Special thanks to a donation from Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center, we have a new set of inks (from an even more more local company than our normal ink: only 5 hours away:chicago) to try at the log cabin print shop. Going to take them for a test drive with pig in mud!

you *know* with all those new colors, the first one i cracked open was brown. Haha

Its only 39 degrees right now, but sunshine makes all the difference. Im going to try to finish carving my pig on a bicycle today (week 3). The print shop is open today until 5pm for any artists who want to carve, print or just hang out.

UPDATE :Taking a moment to step back and think about where this is going

UPDATE: I think im done…maybe just one or two little details?

the test proof!

Its printmaking day at the log cabin print shop. Im ready to start a new 16×20 woodcut. Heres my sketch (only about 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches in size) ive transferred the sketch to tracing paper and drew a rough grid so i can flip the image and transfer to the wood block. No photos or computers…all analog. Stay tuned for progress reports