 Some birds are not only beautiful to listen to, they are beautiful to look at too! This song sparrow was so much fun to print because of the fluffy feathers, a very different texture from other birds I've printed.
I've been exploring the complexities of reduction linocut, a printmaking process that uses only one block to print many layers. The artist starts with a barely carved block and prints a layer of colour, then carves away more of the block and prints the next colour. This process is repeated until all the layers of colour are printed, leaving very little of the original block behind. Since the layers are permanently removed from the printing block, the edition of prints is limited to the original printing session. If an error occurs, there is a chance that part or all of the work could be ruined. This piece has many layers of colour, each layer taking several hours to print all the individual pieces within the edition. You can find it here: http://www.michellewiebe.com/store/p23/Melody-Maker.html  I have been sorting through my studio and finding some little gems that can be listed in my shop. This charming little bird print is a 4" x 6" image printed on 5" x 7" paper, I was pleased I still had some left from this limited edition!
You can find it here: http://www.michellewiebe.com/store/p24/Bird-on-fence.html  The first one to always notice when we have filled up our bird feeder is our local Blue Jay. He keeps watch so that he can be first in line during the winter months. Despite being far too large for the perch, he manages to do just fine in extracting his favourite seeds.
I've been exploring the complexities of reduction linocut, a printmaking process that uses only one block to print many layers. The artist starts with a barely carved block and prints a layer of colour, then carves away more of the block and prints the next colour. This process is repeated until all the layers of colour are printed, leaving very little of the original block behind. Since the layers are permanently removed from the printing block, the edition of prints is limited to the original printing session. If an error occurs, there is a chance that part or all of the work could be ruined. This piece has many layers of colour, each layer taking several hours to print all the individual pieces within the edition. I have printed this work using antique industrial printing presses, also known as “Letterpress Printing” which is a highly specialized artform that requires mechanical and artistic skill. This allowed me to be quite precise in lining up the many layers the application of ink was consistent. As a result, the colours are rich and highly pigmented, almost painterly in quality. You can find it in my shop here: http://www.michellewiebe.com/store/p22/The-Sentinel.html  Over Christmas we installed some more drying lines in my studio space so some of my slower drying reduction prints could happily take in the dry winter air while leaving my regular drying rack available for prints that are being worked on.
I have to say, it feels pretty cheerful and productive to walk into my space each morning and see these all lined up!  Have you ever experienced the winter visitation of a flock of Cedar Waxwings? I've had the pleasure a couple of times. They introduce themselves with a loud thrumming noise as they descend on their favourite local delicacies. In this case, the berries that are in my yard.
I've been exploring the complexities of reduction linocut, a printmaking process that uses only one block to print many layers. The artist starts with a barely carved block and prints a layer of colour, then carves away more of the block and prints the next colour. This process is repeated until all the layers of colour are printed, leaving very little of the original block behind. Since the layers are permanently removed from the printing block, the edition of prints is limited to the original printing session. If an error occurs, there is a chance that part or all of the work could be ruined. This piece has many layers of colour, each layer taking several hours to print all the individual pieces within the edition. I have printed this work using antique industrial printing presses, also known as “Letterpress Printing” which is a highly specialized artform that requires mechanical and artistic skill. This allowed me to be quite precise in lining up the many layers the application of ink was consistent. As a result, the colours are rich and highly pigmented, almost painterly in quality. You can find it here in my online shop: http://www.michellewiebe.com/store/p21/Winter-Berries.html  This past year I've been really trying to hone my skills with doing reduction linocut on my printing presses. It can be really frustrating at times once you are halfway into a project.
I've learned that taking the time at the outset to draft a roadmap of where I want the piece to go has been super helpful. Honestly, there are times where I rely very heavily on my rough colour notes to move the work forward.  In my neighbourhood, there is always someone on duty, these guys. It doesn't matter the time of day or temperature... if there is someone you are guaranteed to run across it's the magpies. With this print, "Neighbourhood Watch", I really took some risks with the juxtaposition of blue and orange and it paid off in the end (with some nail biting around layer 5, haha!). I am pleased with how it all came together.
I've been exploring the complexities of reduction linocut, a printmaking process that uses only one block to print many layers. The artist starts with a barely carved block and prints a layer of colour, then carves away more of the block and prints the next colour. This process is repeated until all the layers of colour are printed, leaving very little of the original block behind. Since the layers are permanently removed from the printing block, the edition of prints is limited to the original printing session. If an error occurs, there is a chance that part or all of the work could be ruined. This piece has more than 7 layers of colour, each layer taking several hours to print all the individual pieces within the edition. I have printed this work using antique industrial printing presses, also known as “Letterpress Printing” which is a highly specialized artform that requires mechanical and artistic skill. This allowed me to be quite precise in lining up the many layers the application of ink was consistent. As a result, the colours are rich and highly pigmented, almost painterly in quality. You can find it here in my online shop: http://www.michellewiebe.com/store/p20/Neighbourhood-watch.html  Just a reminder if you needed one today. Letterpress printed for some deeply loved people in my life. (For those of you who have the means of production, a reminder that we can use these tools to promote love. Let's try our best right now.)
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