We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. While the pandemic has removed individuals from their studios and creative communities, the making of art still continues to connect people. The pandemic is only a temporary set back before we can safely create together.
In response to COVID-19, our Spring call-for-entries are rescheduled to August and September. We have implemented multiple policies and procedures to ensure that we can continue to host events and prioritize participant’s safety. Even though these events are closed to the public, we will live stream each event so that everyone can celebrate from the comfort of one’s home.
We plan to move forward with our Fall tour contingent that the situation does not worsen and states allow groups of 10 people or fewer to gather. This is an opportunity to use social isolation time carving a block at home and using our online Woodblock Master Class. Bring your next big idea to life and participate in our one-of-a-kind printmaking bonanza! Read on to learn more as we create in this new normal.
Thank you for your support!
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_single_image image=”11163″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_column_text]It’s your time to shine and apply to one of our call-for-entries! Check out these upcoming deadlines:
July 27 — The Pajama Factory, Willamsport, PA
August 3 — Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg, VA
August 24 — Hudgens Center for the Arts, Duluth, GA
August 31 — Shepherd Maudsleigh Studio, Newton, MA
Kristy Cavaretta
Brooke Stewart
John McKaig
Imna Arroyo[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” el_id=”1″][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”11166″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]
Maine based artist Kristy Cavaretta carved a mesmerizing pattern that is conceptually tied to a personal experience. Here’s a statement from the artist about her newest work:
“This meditative piece, “Spectra” is part of a series of projects in which I attempt to quantify the experience of feeding and caring for newborn twins. This 3×8 foot woodblock print is made of 22,000 marks, each one correlating to one minute spent attached to a breast pump. The block was carved one nap at a time during quarantine.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” el_id=”2″][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”11165″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]Boston based painter and printmaker Brooke Stewart is working on a new series for an upcoming solo exhibition that thematically explores the Market Basket grocery store. This large-scale woodblock is one of several to be created for the exhibit.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” el_id=”3″][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”11167″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]Pennsylvania based artist John McKaig has participated in four call-for-entry events, and is creating a series of large-scale woodblock prints. Here’s a statement from the artist about his newest work:““Toastmaster” alludes to a history of my relationships with my father when I was young, as well as relationships as a queer man during these troubling and somewhat chaotic times. I overlap and insert imagery in order to remove recognizable objects from a structure and time constraint, as well as to communicate ideas related to how the human body can be used as a material and corporeal symbol of deeper human emotions and motivations. The ship form, the welding glasses and the writing quill have become personal symbols related to the body, voyage through life, and the idea of looking/seeing and philosophical thought.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” el_id=”4″][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”11174″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]Imna Arroyo visited earlier this year and we printed two editions of her woodblocks on fabric and paper. Arroyo’s prints will be exhibited in MA, NY, and San Juan, PR![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_single_image image=”11184″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_column_text]We’re staying busy with new and existing relief printmaking projects. Here’s a few things we’ve been working on during social isolation.
Woodblock Master Class & Limited Edition Printing
Woodblock Printed Masks
Woodblock Printed Dress
Speedball Demonstration[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” el_id=”5″][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_column_text]First, we recreated our online Woodblock Master Class. It’s updated with oodles of tips and tricks for the aspiring printmaker. Follow Lyell as he draws, carves, and prints a 24 by 36 inch woodblock. The program allows you to work from home at your own pace.
Click here to submit a mask request.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” el_id=”7″][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_single_image image=”11180″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]After the mask project, we collaborated again and made woodblock dresses. The fabric was printed off of Lyell’s personal woodblocks, and Carand sewed the dresses using vintage designs. It was a chance to update this ancient medium that has such a long history with fabric. The response has been tremendous, and we’re looking forward to making more woodblock wear in the future![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” el_id=”8″][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”4/6″][vc_column_text]
Speedball Demonstration
In May, Lyell did a live stream demonstration of printing a large-scale woodblock with Speedball Art Products. It was a blast and he is grateful to all who tuned in. You can watch the video here. Big thanks to Speedball for their continued support![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_single_image image=”11189″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/6″][vc_column_text]Join us on the inter-web 🕷️ this August and September when we live stream our rescheduled print sessions.
BIG INK will be on location at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking, 3 Fish Studios, Whiteaker Printmakers, and Deedee Shattuck Gallery creating large-scale woodblock prints on our amazing mobile etching press “The Big Tuna”. We’ll be posting a series of Instagram Live segments featuring the work of each participant throughout the day. This will be an ink slinging marathon to remember! Visit our Facebook event page for live stream dates and times.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content”][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”4/6″][vc_column_text]
Thank you for reading!
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