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Sketching With The Ipad – on Old US ROUTE 62 -Old Washington, KY

sketch of old washington, kentucky

Everyone has their own artmaking technique. Before I start a project, I draw with whatever tool I have available:

  • I like pencils and paper, for it’s tactile quality, the ablility to shade, and correct mistakes.
  • pens and markers for their lines, and no erasing keeps me from fiddling around
  • the ipad for the flexibility of digital…easy changes, video timelapse of workflow

One tool i try to avoid is the camera. Regardless of what I am using, I want to draw from life. Years ago, I read a study about using a camera to look at art which suggested that we don’t fully experience a moment when we photograph it.Regardless of what I am using, I want to draw from life whenever possible. Years ago, I read a study about using a camera to look at art which suggested that we don’t fully experience a moment when we photograph it. I read another study that found drawing something helps us remember.

For this drawing, I used an app, called procreate: THE best ipad app for drawing. It has a bonus feature of recording a step by step video…giving us a peek into my thought process while drawing.

The finished artwork is going to be a woodcut–for my series about US Route 62.

I love living in Old Washington. If I ever need inspiration, all I have to do is walk a few blocks from home. This row of buildings sit on the ORIGINAL US Route 62.

The finished artwork is going to be a woodcut–for my series about US Route 62.

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Carving-Squirrels Getting Ready For Winter

Today, I carved my latest woodcut; Squirrels getting ready for winter.

Over the last year, I have been learning to print larger. (one secret is to use bigger knives) I want to make original, hand printed art that can fill a large space (while still being affordable). I’m thinking of younger people, just starting to put a house and art collection together. 16×20″ is a big size for me, but I really love working in this scale. Compared to working in smaller formats, these really make a great presentation

It took the whole day (and cramped hands) to carve the print, so I squeezed the whole process into 30 seconds. My plan is to print it tomorrow at the studio. Keep visiting this website for updates to see progress on this print (and my other projects)! 
thanks

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UPDATE:Bear Under A New Star

Update: Here’s a video of the carving/inking/printing of my latest woodcut…i think it came out great!!!  One thing I love about big prints is that their presence changes the entire room. This one really cheers the place up.  It’ll probably take a week to dry. Once it is, i’ll offer it to you all in the online gallery

If you would like to have one for your art collection, use the button below, and I’ll mail you one!

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2 color sheep woodcut – VIDEO

This video walks you through the process while I make a 2 color/2 plate woodcut from an existing 1 color woodcut design. The original layer is used as a key block, to guide the cutting of the gray, background layer. Instead of using a complex system to line up the 2 layers, I just eyeballed it and registered the plates by hand.

If interested, i’ll update this post with purchase information once the prints are dry (1,2,3 days from now)

UPDATE 1 : i don’t want to give you the wrong impression that my tests are always successful…i just don’t always include them in the videos. Here’s a look at the REAL first try through the press:

animation of sheep printmaking woodcut being revealed
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El Pueblo Unido / United We Stand

I’m excited to be participating in the Cornbread & Tortillas Festival festival tomorrow (Saturday Oct 20th) at the Americana Center in Louisville, KY. we’ll be celebrating our cultures, with music, dance, food and art. I’ll have my press, and you can make your own el pueblo unido/united we stand woodcut for free.

estoy emocionado para participar en la fiesta de cornbread and tortillas mañana en el centro americana en Louisville, KY. celebraremos nuestras culturas con música, bailar, gastronomía y arte. traeré mi prensa para impresares este xilografia gratis: el pueblo unido/United we stand

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Gotica Americana

banner with woodcut of frida kahlo and emiliano zapata in grant woods classic american gothic pose

I was brainstorming images for a woodcut to use for the upcoming USA/Latin American cultural exchange, Cornbread and Tortillas festival, and a friend suggested a parody of the iconic “American Gothic” painting by Grant Wood. I wanted to replace the farmer and his daughter with famous Mexicans. I chose Frida Kahlo for the daughter, because she is one of the most popular Mexican artists of all time. Despite having a handicap, she was an independent, strong woman, in a time that was not the norm.  I chose to use Emiliano Zapata to represent the farmer, because he is one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. He fought to put an end to the exploitation of the poor, working, rural class (peasants).

woodcut of frida and zapata by artist ken swinson

I thought the blending of these three icons say a lot about my ideas about contemporary culture and cultural exchange. I was raised in the United States as an ‘army brat’, my idea of culture is that it is a living, evolving thing. Our country is made up of lots of different people and cultures that are constantly moving around and influencing each other. United States Culture is a blending of cultures – so is Mexico’s.

Here’s a short video of the printing of the woodcut:

For the first 6 weeks of 2019, I am planning a trip (cultural exchange) to Oaxaca, Mexico. Sales of this print will help with my expenses for the trip. Thank you/muchas gracias to everyone for supporting my work.

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Harlan Hubbard Studio Test Proof

banner of harlan hubbard woodcut by artist ken swinson

I’m excited to share with you all the design and test proof for my Harlan Hubbard Studio woodcut.

Before his legendary journey down the Ohio River in his Shantyboat, he lived in a studio that he built for himself in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky.

This weekend, I am going to be part of a community activity and fundraiser to help restore and maintain the studio. Harlan’s life was inspired by nature, the studio is part of the Ft. Thomas Forest Conservancy; so I wanted to include nature in the design of the woodcut.

If YOU would like to print your own copy of this woodcut, using my traditional press, come visit the Harlan Hubbard Studio and support his legacy. The activity is from 12-4pm at 129 Highland Ave in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky.

More information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/482242338954571/

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Visiting the Harlan Hubbard studio in Ft. Thomas

Yesterday, I got to visit Harlan Hubbard’s studio in Ft. Thomas, KY to make some sketches for a new Harlan Hubbard woodcut I am working on. Harlan is my patron saint of art, and it was a magical experience (a dream come true) to visit, and make art in the home/studio he lived in and built.

You can visit the studio too! The Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy is having a fundraising event for the studio on October 13th, from noon – 4pm. I’ll be there with my press and print…make a donation to the studio (100% of the donation goes to the studio restoration), and you can print a copy to take home with you!

thanks Chuck Keller and Sidney Thomas from the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy, for inviting me to participate (and helping with the video)