Its warm, but windy today at the log cabin print shop.
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.
I made a few adjustments to the design, and now, im ready to start carving!
Saturday’s carving progress
Stay tuned for updates!
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.
almost finished carving!
Inking the linoleum block
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.
It’s inspiring how Harriett used her talent to help social progress in the USA. I wanted to honor her with a linocut.
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
I’m working on a new linocut greeting card for the holiday season.
Peace on Earth is always one of my favorite themes
The finished print!!
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!
My sketch for a new linocut-a happy bunny with carrot
after transfering the design onto a block of linoleum, it’s time to carve!
the finished design, carved and ready for ink
inking the block
the finished linocut! Printed on acid free, recycled craft brown paper, with envelope
Carving is finished, so now its time tonprint the latest linocut.
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.
Now that I know what I’m doing I started a new design for rice paper transfers. The theme is Trees and houses.
Today’s burn didn’t work out like I had hoped, but I have another screen ready, and will try again tomorrow
now it’s time for a new color: Electric Blue!!
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.
And I love my critters! Spent some time working on new ones:
Stay tuned to see the progress!
I surprise myself all the time. I never thought I’d ever make functional pottery again, but I think it’s safe to say I’m obsessed! For the last couple of weeks, it’s all I’ve been thinking about.
Today is printmaking day at the Log Cabin Print Shop. I have my design more or less carved and ready to print. What do you think?
We didn’t print as much as some saturdays, but we had wonderful company, and a chance to introduce two really good friends to each other. And of course, when I’m having fun, I didn’t get a chance to take a picture of us all having fun! See you all next Saturday!
I love jumping between and mixing mediums. I’ve recently been working in clay–after a long break.
I’ve been decorating with a technique, called sgraffito, where I scratch the design into the pottery before firing.
Here’s what sgraffito pots look like after the first fire. I love the contrast between the red and white clays.
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
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!!
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.
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
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.
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!
Ken is a self-taught artist from rural Kentucky, whose work includes painting, printmaking, and pottery. He considers himself to be a 'lifetime learner' and uses art to explore and learn more about the world around him. Much of his work reflect his optimistic views on rural folk culture, river life and simple pleasures.
