Year of the Horse print exchange

Well! I'm happy to say that even though I've been slogging it through an artistic slump that my creative addiction has won out and I created something for the Year of the Horse International Print Exhibit and Exchange. The horse theme was a little tough for me as I couldn't come up with anything that didn't look lame or cheezy. I think the new video I saw from Kayne West featuring running horses DID NOT help. Fromage!

Anyways, here's my linocut submission: "Circus Pony".  I look forward to seeing what kind of horses I get back from other printmakers. Did you submit something?

La Calaca Print Exchange

Yeah! This year's submission to the La Calaca International Print Exchange is done and has been mailed off. I did a linocut again this year but this time my preparatory drawing was digital. I really like this skeletal couple and I hope it brings a smile to those printmakers that will receive it. As always, I can't wait to see what I get in return because the quality of the prints have always be great. What about you? Do you have a favourite print exchange?

Sneak peek

A quick post and a peek into what I've been working on. I'm planning couple submissions for some print exchanges and some other promotional stuff. Below is the drypoint plate I'm working on for the ArtSpace Original Print Exchange and Exhibit. This is a mini-print exhibit and you can find the details here.

The second exchange I'm working on is for the annual La Calaca print exchange. I haven't figured out what method I will use or even my image yet but it's always a fun subject to do. If you're interested in submitting to that one, you can find it here.

My submission to this year's Wingtip Press Leftovers

I just sent off this little linocut dragon to this years Wingtip Press's Leftovers. This has been a great fundraiser for hunger relief and I've participated in it for the past three years.  Do take a look at previous entries.

Two trial proof's are available in the shop.

This image has been floating around in my sketchbook and computer for a little while now and I was happy to finally get it out and onto paper. I cut it into thin lino and printed it with my press. I used to hand-burnish all my linos onto thin paper because they were always mounted on blocks but it's been so much easier to use the press.You can see a short video I did of proofing the print on my press here.

La Calaca Press print exchange

In a previous post I showed you my submission to the La Calaca Press print exchange I did last year. Hundreds of printmakers from numerous countries submitted an edition of 15 hand-pulled prints that were exhibited in several countries. The turn-out and press for the shows looked great.

Well I finally got my set of prints and I was so pleased with what I got. Below is a shot of a few of my favorite pieces.

This one is an engraving. Look at small the lines are! Wow.

I just got an email that there has been a call for another print exchange based on the same theme of La Calaca. I haven't decided if I will be participating but I think it's worth doing some sketches for. If you would like to participate this year you can find the specifics here. 

It's time for Left-overs again!

A year has already gone by and it's now time to serve up some more Leftovers thanks to Wingtip Press. The criteria for this open-call print exchange is to create an edition of 14 prints to be printed on any leftover printmaking paper you have. As all printmakers know, it's easy to accumulate a bunch of paper you can't use but can't throw away either.

 I really enjoy this exchange because the size of the image and the edition is kept quite small. It doesn't hurt that the fee to participate is only $12. So what do you think? Do you think you'd like to participate? The deadline is March 15th. Get all the details here.

Here's my submission: Sour Puss

Year of the Dragon print exchange

Last year I posted about my submission to PROOF Gallery's Year of the Rabbit print exchange. Well this year's Chinese zodiac is the dragon and I recently sent off my submission for the show. I really enjoy working with the Chinese zodiac theme as it always produces a lot of new images for me.

Below is the linocut that I submitted and I only did an edition of 6 for this one. I colored this one with artist pencil crayons. My kids saw me coloring and begged for some to color too. Luckily I had a few dud pulls still around for them to use. This has re-kindled the idea of creating a kids coloring book this year. Hmmmmm....

I just got notice that the deadline for the exchange has been extended to January 25th so if you're quick you might be able to submit a dragon too. Guidelines for submissions can be found on the blog Year of the Dragon.