Linoleum Reduction Prints: I use a single piece of linoleum as the printing plate for each different color in the artwork. I create a very detailed drawing as my first step in my creative process. I decide how many colors it will take for me to create the print. I notes on my drawing so that I can keep track of what areas to carve for each color printed. It is a lot of fun to create my reduction prints with as limited a palette as possible. When this step is completed, I transfer the drawing, in reverse, onto a piece of linoleum. Then I begin carving with my wood cutting gouges.
I always begin by carving away the parts of the linoleum that will remain white in the print. (Whatever I carve away from the linoleum plate will not take ink or print onto the paper.)
Once I have completed the first carving, I ink the linoleum. I transfer the image from the lino to watercolor paper by placing the lino face-up in a jig, placing the paper on the lino, and rubbing the back of the paper to release the ink onto the paper. (I use water-based printers’ ink. It is easier to clean up, without solvents, which makes it more environmentally – and artist – friendly.) Once the ink dries, I cut away more of the lino. When that is done, I print a second color directly over the original image. I repeat this process for each color, until my picture is complete.
These stages of carving continue to reduce the usable surface of the lino, which is why the medium is called “reduction” printmaking. I use a jig that I created from Plexiglas to maintain the registration of my prints. I hand-pull my work, without the use of a printing press. Because the plate is changed permanently between the printings of separate colors, I work on all of the originals at once. I place them in a drying rack between printings.
I always keep the prints in the order that I print them. Once the edition is completed, I number, title, sign and date each print.
Mixed Media: The most exciting thing that has developed in my art-making is that I now also create mixed media work from carved linoleum, pigmented India ink and acrylic paint. This came about as a direct result of bringing my printing plates to art shows to help people understand how I make reduction linocuts. The plates always attracted a lot of attention. Because they drew so much interest, my very wise husband convinced me to create carved and painted linoleum pieces to sell as stand-alone art.
I have been developing my style with these pieces for the last 7 years or so. The carving is a little different, and more purposeful than the carving that I do for my printmaking. As I carve, I leave raised edges to act as borders for the different areas of color, as the India ink is very thin, and I like an edge to paint to. I use my gouges in such a way as to add movement and texture to the linoleum. And, when I say “texture”, I mean fur, feathers, stone, scales, leaves, pattern and such. I love the way these pieces come together!
Cats feature largely in these “carved linoleum with India ink” pieces. A series that I have created is called Li’l Cats – very small head shots of various cat breeds. These are carved from mounted linoleum blocks and framed with floating frames. I also have a Tiny Flowers Series depicting real flowers as well as flowers solely from my imagination. They are mounted to painted wood with cut nails.