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.

“A Murder of Crows”

A Murder of Crows is opening tonight (Jan. 11) at Artisan Gallery, reception from 5-9pm. It’s a really fun and inspiring show.

‘Corvus corax (tastes like chicken)’ by S.V. Medaris • 22in x 22in • reduction woodcut

There is some fantastic work in this show…. Specifically, ceramic crows by Ryan Myers, a gorgeous silver point by Robert Schultz, another beautiful woodcut by Nick Wroblewski, exquisite paintings by Kelli Hoppmann and Jonathan Wilde, and the list goes on…. Check it out tonight at the opening reception (and through Feb 24th). There is a preview of some of the work on Artisan’s Facebook Page.

This raven above (yes ravens were allowed in the show–yes, I asked before I even started planning this one out) was modeled after some great taxidermied ravens at the UW-Madison Zoology Museum. The “tastes like chicken” text in the print? You’ll see that the raven at lower left is snacking on a dead chicken. One of the biggest food sources for ravens is carrion–I see crows more often than vultures out here in the middle of nowhere, on a rural road, working on road-kill. I’m sure if any raccoon or coyote or possum or hawk or owl (…) was insane enough to leave part of a juicy chicken lying about, a raven would finish it up sooner than later. Everybody loves chicken doncha’ know?

Kitten Likes Blood

At last check, this was the only print of mine from the “Small Works” show at Artisan Gallery that hasn’t sold. I wonder why?

Kitten Likes Blood
hand-colored lithograph
12in x 12in

This scene was from ¡¡Real Life!! Kitten–runt of the litter–joined in with the other animals to share in the spoils of a deer being processed in Pat’s front yard. She was very protective of her space/spoils, thumping her tiny little paw ferociously down on the ground to warn anyone away. Cute gross tiny ferocious yum.

The Amazing Dancing Dog!

Dexter does it again. Isn’t he just AMAZING!?!!?? More so with all caps, right?

Dexter did it again. Pose that is.

Another folio exchange, this one with the theme “Circus, Circus” so of course I had to do this little circus dog, and then modeled it after old circus posters somewhat. Circus World in Baraboo (and those fantastic old posters) remains an inspiration to me, since childhood. I got over my fear of clowns doing this one–looking at just tons of old clown photos till they didn’t look scary anymore–yeah! Happy day!! I think this clown still looks somewhat ominous, but it had to be dark and simply-rendered to show off my little star in the foreground.

The photo shoot was pretty funny–Dexter did a lot of “dancing” for cheese…. I bet he thought he’d died and gone to heaven.

The Amazing Dancing Dog
- Reduction woodcut on Arches cover
- 23in x 8 1/2in

This was for sale at Artisan Gallery, but it (along with other ones I took for the Small Works show earlier this month) sold rather quickly. I will frame up another at some point soon, and get it to Artisan, but have to get that cow finished first!

NOTE: No animals were harmed in the posing/making of this print. Spoiled, yes; hurt, no.

Interview with The Fiddleback

Interview with The Fiddleback, “an independent, online arts & literature magazine edited by a reclusive band of poets, writers, and audiophiles from across the country.”

Collaborations show at Artisan Gallery

Now showing at Artisan Gallery: Collaborations. Here’s some in-progress and final (detail) shots of the piece I did with Kay Myers, below. Collaborative Metamorphosis features hand-colored, cutout linocuts of insects I did, plus (seen in the last photo below) some of Kay’s insects–exquisitely detailed paper sculptures.

The Collaborations show is up through October 28, 2012 at Artisan Gallery in Paoli, WI.

Gallery hours:
Tuesday – Sunday 10a.m. – 5p.m.

Extended Holiday Hours:
Open Seven days a week Thanksgiving through Christmas 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Open Late Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 7p.m.

Insects printed (lino cuts printed on etching press), with some hand-colored…. (size: asian beetles approx 1/4 – 1/2 inches)

Insects printed, hand-colored, and cut out, ready for assembly…. (size: asian beetles approx 1/4 – 1/2 inches)

Detail from “Metamorphic Collaboration” 20in x 16in, mixed media. Those are Kay’s 3-d paper sculptures of insects.