New work at ‘Under the Influence’ show

One of my favorites by Alphonse Mucha

Now showing at Artisan Gallery: Under the Influence, a group show by Gallery Artists wherein we each pick an artist that has an impact on our work, and create a piece(s) that is influenced by that artist.

For mine, I picked Alphonse Mucha. Pas de Deux, below is the result. Here is the text that accompanies the print, currently up at the gallery:

‘Pas de Deux’ Influenced by:
Alphonse Mucha + the Posters of Paris
I’ve always been inspired by Mucha’s posters of elaborate, beautifully drawn figures advertising products. His strong design-sense, line quality, gorgeous women, and rich, glowing color represent the ideals of the poster in his time. The fact that his exquisitely rendered scenes were fine art but also used in advertising (for the theatre as well as commercial products) is sort of the gold standard for me: Commercial and Fine Art. Communication crossed with beautifully rendered imagery all in one.

‘Pas de Deux’ hand-colored linocut, edition of 10, 8in x 18in (image size). Click on image to enlarge.

I saw his lithographic posters last summer at the “Posters of Paris” show (19th century posters in paris) at Milwaukee Art Museum, and was astounded at the size of the work–most of them over life-size, often 6ft or taller. Along with these, there were huge circus posters (designed by other artists) of the time as well. That marked the beginning of a plan to make Mucha-inspired and circus-inspired reduction woocuts the size of my pressbed (4ft).

This piece, ‘Pas de Deux’ is the 2nd small-size experiment in this style (The Amazing Dancing Dog was the first). Now that I did my first 4ft reduction print earlier this year (a goose), I can start planning the bigger 19th century poster-inspired series as reduction block prints.

The show is up through July 21st and is a wonderful show — the other works in the show are super-inspiring to me.

Spring Art Tour coming soon!

Come see the 8ft chicken! The 8ft pulltoy pig! And lots more (including that Skip Johnson patriotic chicken in the foreground). Here are a few students from a visiting art class in front of Market Weight Press Studios

Now in it’s 7th year, the Spring Art Tour features 20 artists who will open their studios to the public June 7, 8, 9 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), 10-5 daily.

**NOTE: Sue will be in studio daily 10-5, EXCEPT Saturday absent 3:30-5p

S.V. Medaris’ studio will have printing demos, prints (unframed and framed), cards, pillows, t-shirts and more for sale. She is currently carving the first in a new series of Alphonse Mucha poster-inspired prints, as well as a 4ft hog woodcut, a flying (sort of) chicken linocut, and block-printing pillow covers, t-shirts and ? Lots of fun stuff.

Maps, artist profiles and more at the Mount Horeb Spring Art Tour site.

Introduction to Block Printing (linoleum, etc.)

Sat / Sun, July 20-21, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4.
More info, registration, supply list, photos at Whispering Woodlands – July Workshops.

Clydesdales, Lexington, and Lucky Book
Print: 4x4in, Book: 2x2in.
1-color linocut, hand-carved rubber stamps on dyed/colored masa.

This is an introductory level printmaking class in which we’ll explore how to make block prints using linoleum. Learn how to plan, draw and transfer your design; prep, cut and print a linoleum block without a press. Explore the different ways to add color to your print.

In addition, we’ll experiment with printing on fabric and/or tees (with the press). Learn the tricks to making clear, crisp prints easily and without frustration. Make your print as simple or as complex as you’d like, but keep details to a minimum and/or size of block small so that you can finish cutting and printing before end of workshop. (5″ x 7″ – 4″ x 6″ ideal. No larger than 8″ x 10″) Better understand the different substrates for cutting (different kinds of linoleum, rubber, wood, and synthetic materials), different papers for printing on, and the different tools you’ll need for different techniques/substrates. You can experiment with cutting some of these materials as interest/time allow. Note: More detailed information on supply list.

NOTE: I include the Clydesdales, Lexington print/book above, to show some of the fun things you can do with a simple 1-color linocut (like we will be doing in class), dye and stamps.

This Friday Gallery Night, Madison Craft Beer Week….

4ft long goose! Reduction woodcut adhered to plywood form.

This Friday, May 3 in downtown Madison, it’s Gallery Night! As part of the Taliesin show at Overture Gallery I, I’ve got 2 pieces dealing with Taliesin geese. Reception is from 6-8pm. It should be a grand event, as the whole downtown is alive with gallery-hoppers, receptions, and lots of great art!! Oh, and also this Friday is the start of the 3rd Annual Madison Craft Beer Week in Madison. Get there early for parking. I’m just sayin’….

Also, Paoli’s Artisan Gallery shows are up and I think, pretty terrific. The one in the front end of the gallery is Flora and Fauna. I’ve got the new 48in goose print (reduction print–see it here) showing (over to the left on a bright blue wall that matches the blue sky in the goose painting(!), and a cutout woodcut pig.

Then, back in The Cooler (also at Artisan Gallery), it’s the Habitat ReStore Salvage Art Show and Benefit, April 10-June 2 Check out all the salvage art made by local artists. My favorites: Michael Roberts’ Hammera (a figure made out of piano hammers, from an entire piano that Michael purchased at a thrift shop), and Fish Spoon #2 by Linda Kelen (a cold-forged, chased/repoussed white bronze spoon). I’ve got 3 small wooden cutout figures–woodcut or linocuts. See all the work that’s currently showing at the online ReStore Salvage Art show April 19th – June 2nd

2013 Habitat Restore Salvage Art Show

Opening tonight! At Artisan Gallery in Paoli, reception 5-9pm. Another show that is opening tonight here is the Flora and Fauna show (with the Taliesin Goose in previous post)

One of my favorite (and challenging) shows of the year: The Habitat Restore Salvage Art Show (See all of this year’s artwork for sale) where you have to find some repurposed item to use in your piece. This year? refurbished, upcycled old wood cedar siding (from our old house in Stoughton). Glued then varnished on top with old, imperfect (slated for recycling) woodcuts from past editions (because you know there’s always imperfect woodcuts lying around waiting to be recyled!). Here’s three pieces you’ll see at Artisan Gallery‘s opening reception tonight:

‘Calavera Ratoncito’ for Habitat Restore Salvage Show. About 9in tall, hand-colored woodcut on French’s paper, adhered to old, repurposed cedar ciding.

‘Wooden Bulldog’ for Habitat Restore Salvage Show. About 8in tall, reduction woodcut on mulberry paper, adhered to old, repurposed cedar ciding.

‘Wooden Circus Dog’ for Habitat Restore Salvage Show. About 12in tall, reduction woodcut on Arches Cover, adhered to old, repurposed cedar ciding.

And here is Habitat ReStore’s statement about the show. Pretty cool, huh?:
The purpose of this show is to create a community event where artists and gallery owners can collaborate and to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County and to re-purpose another person’s junk into amazing works of art. This event saves items from the landfill and gives artists and gallery owners an opportunity to network with one another and the community.

First 48in reduction woodcut

I finally chucked another worry out the window and went for it–a block as big as my press bed (30 inches x 48 inches), and a reduction woodblock at that (meaning, if it doesn’t work…if I can’t register it at that big a paper size, with even one of the colors, then the whole edition is shot…). But it worked!!!

‘Taliesin Goose’ by S.V. Medaris, Reduction woodcut, 30in x 48in • Now showing at Artisan Gallery. See it at the opening reception for ‘Flora and Fauna’ this Friday night (April 19), 5-9pm. Click on goose to enlarge it.

And a close up:

A close-up of the 5-color (plus white) reduction block. That’s Taliesin up on the hillside. Click on goose to enlarge it.

For one of the prints, I cut out the goose and adhered it to a plywood cut-out form. Varnish. Attach french cleats to back, and voilá a floating goose. No pics yet, but it’s showing now at Overture Center’s Gallery I: 60 days at Taliesin…. Opening reception May 3, 2013, gallery night!

This Saturday night: Farm to Fork (to Fabulous!)

Opening reception Saturday, March 16, 7-10pm.

Showing with my friend and fellow artist Alicia Rheal in our From Farm to Fork (to Fabulous!) exhibit. The opening reception is a gala celebration and benefit for the Walls of Wittenberg. More info, and the poster, below. Highlight? Why Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats of course.

This is going to be a really fun (and delicious) opening reception! (Click on poster to enlarge) And, if you drive up early, you can visit Nueske’s Company Store in Wittenberg (Sat. hours: 8-4).

The WowSpace is located at 114 Vinal St – Wittenberg, WI. Easy to find…Just look for the 8ft hanging hog carcasses and the giant pull-toy pig (cuts) in the front windows along the main street of downtown Wittenberg!

And here’s more info about the Walls of Wittenberg ongoing mural project.

One section of the wall installed for now….

Installing…. That’s an 18ft long Hampshire stud boar on right (the model, Pioneer is owned by Monson Show Pigs in Richland Center). And that’s an 8ft pull-toy pig in front window.