Woodblock Relief

Woodblock relief is an art form that has been around for centuries with the earliest woodblocks dating back to the 7th century in the Tang Dynasty of China. It remained the most common method of printing books, literature and imagery well into the 19th century, today it is regarded primarily as a Fine Art.

The process of relief printing truly captured me when I was in my early 20’s and gave me the time and a purpose to dig deeper into myself as I carved away layers of plywood to create art.

Relief prints are created by removing layers from the surface of a block to form an image. Once the surface has been carved and covered in ink, you press a sheet of paper onto the block by hand or through a press, you reveal the image by pulling the paper away.

There are multiple types of relief printing, some more complicated than others, some more well known than others. While it is an art form existing under the radar in terms of the mainstream art world it is undoubtedly an art form that has been found in almost every culture around the world. Because of its simplicity in technique it will always be a practice that people can easily communicate by creating an image and reproducing it.

In order of appearance

Pre-colonized- Grey Wolf Population In Pre Colonized Continental United States Estimated Between 250,000-500,00

18” X 24” Reductive Relief Print Edition of 8 Spring 2016

First of the Grey Wolf Print Series of the Endangered Species Series

1880 - Superintendent Norris States In His Annual Report, " The Value Of The Wolves Hides And Their Easy Slaughter Using Strychnine Poisoned Carcasses Have Nearly Led To Their Extermination." Ranchers and Government Agencies Begin Eradication Campaign.

18” X 24” Reductive Relief Print Edition of 8 Spring 2016

Second of the Grey Wolf Print Series of the Endangered Species Series

1972 - Federal Recognition Of Imbalanced Ecosystems Due To Lack Of Wolves. Wolf Bounty Programs End. Estimated Population 300.

18” X 24” Reductive Relief Print Edition of 8 Spring 2016

Third of the Grey Wolf Print Series of the Endangered Species Series

Present Day - Congress Grants Grey Wolves Protection Under The Endangered Species Act. Estimated Population Today 5,375.

18” X 24” Reductive Relief Print Edition of 8 Spring 2016

Fourth of the Grey Wolf Print Series of the Endangered Species Series

Summer Daze

Single color wood block relief - edition of 5 printed on Japanese Kozo paper

2016

Moonbathers