Art speaks from and to the placed within us without words…
Artist, Designer, Therapeutice Art Facilitator,
Licenesed Mental Health Counselor in Training
my process
My primary medium has been linocut (otherwise known as block printing). I enjoy the process of thought and the methodical steps it requires, the raw, organic appearance, and the perfect imperfection of linocut.
Drawing an image, intuiting the division of negative space and color, choosing fine paper for printing, and carving the block—the process of printing creates a flow that has informed other areas of my life. In the beginning, it feels lengthy and at times almost cumbersome, but with practice, the process becomes both a meditation and second nature.
I use vegetable oil-based inks, which offer high-quality finishes free of chemicals and solvents for cleanup. The result is a beautiful, lasting color—without the smell or adverse health effects. It’s a win-win!
Blocks are carved, rolled with ink, and then placed in a heavy, handmade wood press from the Netherlands. This style of press has been around for ages, is a simple method for transferring the image to paper, and I love that it too was handmade.
Once the image has been pressed, I lift the press and use a smooth stone from the beach to rub the back of the paper, which is still pressed onto the block. This is done to ensure that the image transfers evenly. The final stage of the printing process is gently pulling the print off the block and hanging it to dry in my studio. The drying process takes an average of five to six days.