Sassafrass Winter Solstice

[I always keep the image simple - since it's just a quick sketch for relief printing.]
[Mistakes & wrong proportions work out in the process of carving anyhow]

well, as it turns out, my experiment with small cuts has lead to a great discovery.
there is a fine point that one cannot cross when it comes to cut size.
unfortunately with this last project i crossed that line.
you can see the black lines where cuts were made and you can also see the whitish lines as well.
the whitish lines have the proper depth required to produce a printed image.
whereas the lines that are too dark do not produce proper lines.

so it is back to the cutting board with this one.
although i fear that the deeper cuts will distort the subject too much.
we shall see

my next project: a hippocamp.

it is really really small. approx. 2.5 in x 2 in
[on purpose] i need the practice with small cuts.
& i have excess small pieces of linoleum.

Currently working on a carving of Njord: God of Winds.
another 5 x 7 inch print.

my next project: a triton.

it is really really small. approx. 2in x 2 in
[on purpose] i need the practice with small cuts.



1 min sketch.

Test Print of the "Apollo and Daphne" Lino Cut.
[test prints = darker or lighter image runs]

ive completed my second block print.
i am not as happy with this one as i would have liked to have been.
i made a few alterations along the way.
- decided to not put much detail into the nymph as it wouldnt stand out against the background
- decided to not put any details into the face, i felt that a certain expressionless stance allows the viewer to attribute their own mood for the nymph

[ive also decided to print off some of my photography to grace my walls as well]

[ive also decided that *if and when* i am able to completely open up an online gallery and "if" i happen to sell some of my artwork ...with each sale... i will set aside and contribute a certain amount of money to a charitable organization -- to be described & linked on my website. why? b/c every little bit does make a difference.

Just b/c i had a slight bit of ink left on the brayer i wanted to do a "mid-process" print of the Celestial Water Nymph -even though i am still carving it out, just to be able to have a sneak peak at the style the image was forming under.

Keep in mind that yes it is hard to appreciate the finer details of this print due to the fact that the ink was running out; however, this was just a printing to utilize what ink was left -- you know ... so that it wasnt wasted. [i hate wasting anything! esp. art supplies]