Overhaul and a shift toward printing

First things first. After letting it sit for way too long I finally took a good hard look at my website and came to the obvious conclusion that it was overcrowded and tedious to navigate. Thus the fat has been trimmed. Up next is a thorough studio cleaning.

The leading factor in all this revision has been a general shift toward printmaking. Though I will always have a love for pushing paint around, the reality is that big paintings (and scores of little ones) tend to pile up and collect dust. And while I know the work is always well received I have had a difficult time finding homes for all my paint babies; and this depresses me. And so, on to printmaking.

With the recent acquisition of a Richeson Baby Press kit (a compact etching/relief press that really pulls it's weight) I've dug into block printing with renewed energy. Gone are the days of pulling five prints and feeling like my arm is going to fall off. No more rubbing every little square inch by hand (unless of course the plate is larger than 8" on the shortest measure.) And, nearly all of the prints I've made fit into a few brief cases; it's magical. This little beauty below is the first proof of what I imagine is the limit of this my press. It was certainly big enough to keep me busy for a good week and a half of carving on lunch breaks. I'm considering doing a limited edition of hand colored prints. some trial and error is needed, but editions coming soon.

"Sol System" 7.5x16" printed on rice paper 

The second aspect of this grand overhaul is the introduction of the Little Existential Bird Press. The little guy has long been my mascot; He is, I am! And finally, I'm putting him to work and taking him to market. I've basically been pouring all my studio time into making smaller card-size linocuts and prints small batches of greeting cards. Again, something that has always been on the agenda but never really practical until the press. at this point there's about eight different designs available. Below are a few; the rest are pictured here.

Finally, be sure to check out my new shop LittleExistentialBird. All the cards are available there and editions of prints will be posting soon.