Two Small Abstract Block Prints

These are a couple small abstract linoleum block prints that I made. I hand carved the patterns and printed the linocuts on 8“x10” paper. These open edition prints are titled, Askew I and Currents I, and are available on Etsy.

 
Abstract Linoleum Block Print, Askew I Lino Print by Rich Fowler

Detail of Askew I - Linoleum Block Print

 
 
Abstract Block Print, Currents I Linocut by Rich Fowler

Currents I - Abstract Block Print

 
Boarding All RowsAbstract Linocut, lino printing, patterns, linocut, modern linocut, geometric linocut, printmaking, block printComment
SFCB's 20th Annual Roadworks Steamroller Printing Festival on September 24, 2023

I’ll have a booth at the San Francisco Center for the Book’s annual printmaking festival called Roadworks. It’s a great event that I’ve participated in many times. As the SFCB says,

“Roadworks is a family-friendly, daylong block party featuring public printmaking, bookmaking, and hands-on art activities. It celebrates printmaking and the art of the book in a spectacular way: printing 3’ by 3’ carved linoleum blocks using a 7-ton 1924 Buffalo Springfield steamroller.”

 

SFCB's 20th Annual Roadworks Steamroller Printing Festival

 

Where: 375 Rhode Island Street (between 16th & 17th Streets) in San Francisco, CA

When: Sunday, September 24, 2023: 11am – 4pm

Boarding All Rowssan francisco, steamroller, art show, linocut, printmaking, SFCBComment
Upcoming San Francisco Bay Area Linocut Class at Kala Art Institute

I’m excited to be teaching an upcoming reduction linocut class at Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, California. It consists of three Saturday sessions on July 8, 15 and 22, 2023. Here’s a summary of the in-person linoleum block printing class.

Introduction to Reductive Linocut - This class is an introduction to relief printing with linoleum. Students will also learn how to make reduction prints using a technique to make multicolor prints from one linoleum block. Students will learn the step-by-step process that will take their initial design ideas to a small final edition of prints. Topics we’ll cover include linocut supplies, carving techniques, print registration and printing with an etching press. No prior printmaking experience is necessary.

 
Linoleum Block with Carving Tool

Linocut Class at Kala in July 2023

 
Boarding All Rowslinocut, printmaking, linocut class, linocut course, reduction linocut, bay area, berkeleyComment
The Met and IFPDA Talk Linocut

IFPDA’s Print Month in October 2021 featured an online program called, Prints in Relief; Print Study Day Presented by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The IFPDA is the International Fine Print Dealers Association. One of the three speakers was Rachel Mustalish, Conservator at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, who gave a talk titled, Linocuts: Making and Meaning.

I recently went back and watched it on YouTube and thought it was a compelling introduction to linocut printmaking, including its early days. The lino printing portion of the video starts at about the 58:33 mark.

Some of the subjects she touches on in the talk are:

  • The invention of linoleum.

  • The basics of making a linocut print.

  • The Lark, May (1895) by Bruce Porter and other early linocut work.

  • The aesthetic characteristics of a linocut and comparisons to woodcut.

  • Linocut examples from Matisse, Claude Flight, Sybil Andrews, Lill Tschudi, Cyril Power and Picasso.

  • The style and influence of artists associated with the British Grosvenor School.

  • Contemporary approaches to linocut from artists such as Chuck Close, Bill Woodrow, Victoria Mamnguqsualuk and Kara Walker.

You might watch it if you’re interested in the history of the medium.

Boarding All Rowslinocut, history of linocut, lino printing, printmaking, relief printmaking, linoleum, Picasso, linocut artistsComment