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New Reduction Linocut – Pig

It’s been a while since I’ve made a reduction linocut, but this idea of a cute little piggy in a cornfield was stuck in my imagination, and I had to get it out.

photo of a work in progress reduction linocut

this technique is fun, because it lets you make prints with more than one color–using just one block.

photo of a reduction linocut block with only the last layer of ink remaining
the final layer–all that’s left of the block is the black design

after printing each layer of color, I carve a little more from the block to create the next color’s layer. The process destroys the block as you work, making these kinds of prints a special limited edition. There’s no going back if you make a mistake or want to print more.

photo of a reduction linocut pig print with a press in the backgroud

This print is an edition of 15. If you’d like to add one to your collection, click the image below for more details and information on how to order.

Limited Edition Reduction Linocut $35 – Click image to order
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Website Updates

I have had some feedback that my website needed some attention, and the job is so overwhelming to think about, I have’Quietly’ been making some updates to the website.

Most recently: A gallery of plein air paintings from this spring, which you can see by clicking below

I also added photos of the pottery from my most recent kiln firing. Click below to view:

I recently made a commitment to log out from social media -and to check in only one day each week. My goal is to spend more computer time working on this site-and less hanging out on the socials.

I’m actively working on the site, so please feel free to comment with suggestions of what you would like to see on this website in the future.
Thanks for all your support and hanging in there with me!
Ken

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Spring Pentaculum 2024 – Arrowmont


I was honored that Mark Errol invited me to Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts for their #springpentaculum2024 . My idea for the residency was to spend the week studying the ‘boneyard’; a library of unglazed pots that have been left behind by previous instructors. When I took this photo, i had just arrived and had a combination of ‘imposter syndrome’ and being a child in a candy store: so many beautiful ceramic objects to explore!!!

It’s impossible to summarize all the growth that I experienced during that week with a social media post, but I’ll just say, the magic of Arrowmont is something you need to experience in person.

I learned a lot about throwing last week at Arrowmont and made a ”few” New forms. I tried to give as many as I could away, but still have these to deal with. They have been fired once, so I can’t use the underglaze techniques Im familiar with. Time for glaze experiments!!!!

A quick plein air study of the ‘boneyard’ at Arrowmont. They have an impressive collection of unglazed pottery that was made by previous instructors–it’s a learning tool for future students (like me!)

More important than the things I learned was the amazing artists I met and now consider friends!
A million thanks to Mark and Arrowmont for this opportunity!

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Lucky Kentucky Derby Cup

it started with this post on social media:
I can’t make any guarantees, but we can all agree, whoever owns this handmade porcelain cup will most likely have the winning horse at tomorrows Derby. If nothing else, they will have a beautiful handmade and functional work of art.

Followed by Kristina Cox being the big winner and owns the lucky horse cup! Thank you so much for your support, and best luck with tomorrow’s derby!!!

I ‘might’ have been bluffing, but it turns out, the Kentucky Derby cup had magic powers all along!!

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Painting With Friends – Federal Hill – 1 May 2024

painting from life – step 1 – work out the composition and values: no colors

step 2 – figure out what colors you want to use, and get them all on the painting- light is changing fast, so you want to capture the moment

step 3 – work out details and keep painting until its finished, OR the light has changed so much its nothing like the painting

every days a good day when you paint 
-Bob Ross

every day is even BETTER when you paint with FRIENDS!!!
-Ken and Dawn Kincaid

Dawn’s painting
Federal Hill
8×10”
oil on canvas

My painting!!!
Federal Hill
6×8”
Oil on Canvas

We chose to paint Federal Hill to bring an artistic flair to the upcoming event to help raise funds to restore the historic property.
Some work local artists (left to right)
Sue Ellen Gorman, Dawn Kincaid, Ken Tucky Swinson + Ruvonna Bevard. Hope you can come see the paintings on 11 May at the event!

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Supporting the Preservation of Federal Hill with Art

Making block print notecards with my dear friend, Barb Clarke. The cards will be offered as part of a fundraiser on may 11 at federal hill in old Washington. The historic property will be open to the public with tours and activities.

I also made some cups

and donated this original oil painting

All proceeds will go toward helping with the restoration of the building. Hope you can make it!

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November work in progress

threw some cups on the wheel, and added their handles
some work in progress: red stoneware. I’m painting the exterior with white slip. will carve line designs that allow the red clay to show through.
I was able to carve 4 of the 5 cups with bunny horse and bird designs. Now the cups will dry and go into the kiln for a bisque firing. After that
I bisque fired 3 cups then painted colors with thinned underglaze…layering them like i would watercolors.
Then dipped the cups in a clear glaze–now firing them to cone 6.
Should have test final results tomorrow. The colors should be a LOT more vivid. This is a new technique for me, so I’m looking forward to learning how these materials behave.

stay tuned to see how they look after glaze firing!

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Follow me on Mastodon

i believe in the open web, and miss the good old days of Internet– before a couple of monopolies became the gatekeepers of our ability to communicate with each other.

Mastodon is an open source decentralized social network having a moment right now. I just joined and am still learning how it works, but it’s in line with my core values, and I feel good putting my energy there.

If you are using mastodon, you can follow me here:

@kenSwinson@indieweb.social