BIG INK
On March 26 and 27, 2022 I participated in the Big Ink at Tiger Lily Press, Cincinnati, Ohio. The Big Ink was started by Lyell Castonguay and Carand Burnet to inspire greater public appreciation of large-scale woodblock printmaking. They travel the country with their giant press, "The Big Tuna," printing local artists' woodblocks. In my humble opinion, the Big Ink is an incredible example of how two people can change the world. They bring an experience to artists that is not otherwise possible and it has a ripple effect on the whole community. The effort involved is substantial and I really can't thank them enough.
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| Lyell and Carand with "The Big Tuna" |
During the months leading up to the event, each artist is emailed instructions as to how to carve a woodcut. The only caveat is, the print must be a black and white image and at least 24'' by 36'', with a maximum length of eight feet.
The event is a two-day event with the larger prints usually going the first day. It is quite an event to attend because everyone has put so much time and energy into their pieces and the excitement to see the prints come out of the press is palpable. It is also very satisfying to see the plates turn from blue to black as they are inked for the first time and the image magically appearing under the roller.
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| Lyell inking Karen Albanese Campbell's woodcut. |
I attended the first day of the Big Ink to get the lay of the land and to meet the other printmakers. I had followed several artists' progress on Instagram and it was so fun to finally meet them. I was only there a couple hours and took a photo of each artist with their prints. I then returned home to keep carving!
On the second day I arrived at 9am at Tiger Lily Press, excited and nervous, with my magnolia woodcut in tow. I started the sketch for this print the first of January and the carving in mid-January. Now, at the end of March, I was ready to see this thing printed! (To read about the carving process click here).
The day began with Lyell instructing us how to complete our three prints and the roles we could take to help. Each plate needed to be brushed and inked, paper loaded into the press, and prints taken off the press, then carefully rolled. I mostly helped load the paper into the press.
When the time came for my block to print I was a "Nervous Nessy." I felt full of nervous energy and like a chicken running around with my head cut off. I decided to have a go at using the giant brayer, but warned Lyell that I wanted him to take over (because he is REALLY good at it.) After a couple rolls, I switched to inking the edges with the little brayer. In the video below you can see the whole process from inking to press to finished print.
I didn't include it in the video, but when the first print was pulled, the paper was too short because we forgot to turn the block sideways. Then, the second print was a too light in spots. "Nervous Nessy" was getting worried. So when the third print came out I was so relieved!
As I mentioned in my first post, I was thankful to receive the Speedball Art Products Alumni Scholarship. This meant that my entry fees to the BIG INK were covered. And Lyell would keep one of my prints to give to Speedball to hang in their permanent collection in Statesville, NC.
In order to "finish" my print for Speedball, I needed to add my chop signature to the bottom right-hand corner. It is always risky to add a chop because you run the risk of messing up the print with a blurry stamp. I try not to think too much about it. In this video you can see me adding the chop.
At the end of the day I was exhausted, but "happy exhausted." To see something you've spent months working on finally come to life is so satisfying. I will be putting the final prints up on my website soon! You can visit my website, NessyPress.com, or follow my Instagram, @NessyDesigns to be updated.
DAY 2
One of the biggest surprises of the day was how much I enjoyed meeting the other artists. Not that I didn't think I wouldn't like them, but I thought I would be more focused on printing the magnolia. Instead, the other printers were a real highlight of the day. I think when you meet and realize that everyone there has poured their heart and soul into their work for the past two months, you can't help but feel a real connection. You realize there are people out there just as crazy, or crazier, than you! And I felt so happy when another's print was successfully pulled off the press. I was also blown away by their work! By the time I left at the end of the day I was flying high, feeling such an appreciation for the community formed by this event.
Below you can see everyone's work who participated over both days. The day was such a blur that I couldn't exactly remember the order in which we printed our plates. But in general, they were printed big to small and that is the order I put them in below.
Stephen Wiggins
Stephen Wiggins is an artist based out of Lexington, KY. He is a Speedball Art Products demo artist and Kentucky crafted juried member. Stephen has been printmaking since 2003 and has been carving linocuts since 2007. His woodcut, "Armor of God," is the largest woodcut block he has carved, measuring 36'' x72''!
Stephen Wiggins is an artist based out of Lexington, KY. He is a Speedball Art Products demo artist and Kentucky crafted juried member. Stephen has been printmaking since 2003 and has been carving linocuts since 2007. His woodcut, "Armor of God," is the largest woodcut block he has carved, measuring 36'' x72''!
Website: wigginsartwork.com
Instagram: @wigginsartwork
Emmett Baggett
Emmett Baggett is an illustrator, painter and printmaker living in Buffalo, New York. His piece, "The Joker and The Thief," measured 48''x 36''.
Website: BothEndsStudio.com
Instagram: @bothendsstudio
Lizzy DuQuette
Lizzy is a multi-media Cincinnati-based illustrator and teaching artist. Her adorable piece was 40''x 40'' and was titled, "Garden Party."
Website: LizzyDuQuette.com
Instagram: @lizzy_____duquette
Samantha Hayes
Sammi Hayes is a printmaker, designer, and artist born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She owns her own custom stationery business, Lucky Jackalope. I had a great conversation with Sammi about her piece, "Persephone" and why she is reaching for those pomegranates.
Website: LuckyJackalope.com
Lizzy DuQuette
Lizzy is a multi-media Cincinnati-based illustrator and teaching artist. Her adorable piece was 40''x 40'' and was titled, "Garden Party."
Website: LizzyDuQuette.com
Instagram: @lizzy_____duquette
Samantha Hayes
Sammi Hayes is a printmaker, designer, and artist born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She owns her own custom stationery business, Lucky Jackalope. I had a great conversation with Sammi about her piece, "Persephone" and why she is reaching for those pomegranates.
Website: LuckyJackalope.com
Instagram: @luckjackalope
Etsy: LuckyJackalopePrint
Reyne Davis
Reyne Davis is an art teacher who carved her first woodcut for the Big Ink. Of course, I loved this piece because I saw corn in her piece and you know I am obsessed with corn art!
Instagram: @naynay27
Karen Albanese Campbell
Karen Albanese Campbell is a Columbus-based artist and the president of the Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative. Her woodcut is titled “She Smiles at the Future” and was completed as artwork for the WIC program. The detail in this piece was stunning.
Website: KarenAlbaneseCampbell.com
Instagram: @petersmadre and @justwalls_publicart
David Henderson
David Henderson is a Dayton-based artist. His woodcut was 36'' x 48'' and incredibly detailed. I think he said it wasn't completed and he was just pulling a proof, but what was complete was impressive. I found this description of his piece on Instagram: " This piece is about a person's unstoppable progression through life, and the things that change them for better and worse. All these seemingly unrelated images are events that impact the subject as he falls towards the bottom of the frame, from directly impactful events such as injury and sickness, to less obvious factors such as nutrition, station in life, and supportive family."
Instagram: @horsehorse.tigertiger
David Henderson
David Henderson is a Dayton-based artist. His woodcut was 36'' x 48'' and incredibly detailed. I think he said it wasn't completed and he was just pulling a proof, but what was complete was impressive. I found this description of his piece on Instagram: " This piece is about a person's unstoppable progression through life, and the things that change them for better and worse. All these seemingly unrelated images are events that impact the subject as he falls towards the bottom of the frame, from directly impactful events such as injury and sickness, to less obvious factors such as nutrition, station in life, and supportive family."
Instagram: @horsehorse.tigertiger
Etsy: horsehorsetigertiger
Julie Lonneman
Julie Lonneman divides her time between Bellingham, Washington, and Cincinnati, Ohio. She freelances as a graphic designer and illustrator and is an accomplished printmaker. Julie's woodcut, "Garry Oak, San Juan Islands" was 36''x 24'' and took her five weeks of carving. I wish I had taken a closer picture. The detail and composition were impressive and lovely.
Website: JulieLonneman.com
Blog: https://www.julielonneman.com/blog-1
Kate Kern
Kate Kern is a Cincinnati-based visual artist who creates installations that combine drawing, artists' books, and stop motion animations (and printmaking!). Her work, "is inspired by an exploration of the seen and unseen and a searching for the divine in daily living expressed by contradictory measures of playfulness, compulsion, jubilance, and sorrow." The day was so busy I didn't get to talk to Kate as much as I would have liked. After visiting her website I can see our work has a lot in common.
Website: KateKern.com
Julie Lonneman
Julie Lonneman divides her time between Bellingham, Washington, and Cincinnati, Ohio. She freelances as a graphic designer and illustrator and is an accomplished printmaker. Julie's woodcut, "Garry Oak, San Juan Islands" was 36''x 24'' and took her five weeks of carving. I wish I had taken a closer picture. The detail and composition were impressive and lovely.
Website: JulieLonneman.com
Blog: https://www.julielonneman.com/blog-1
Kate Kern
Kate Kern is a Cincinnati-based visual artist who creates installations that combine drawing, artists' books, and stop motion animations (and printmaking!). Her work, "is inspired by an exploration of the seen and unseen and a searching for the divine in daily living expressed by contradictory measures of playfulness, compulsion, jubilance, and sorrow." The day was so busy I didn't get to talk to Kate as much as I would have liked. After visiting her website I can see our work has a lot in common.
Website: KateKern.com
Instagram: @kmkern
DAY 1
Jennifer Brown
THANK YOU
DAY 1
Randy Steward (Luplollo)
Randy Steward is a Lexington, Kentucky based artist. When I went to Randy's Instagram the first time and read, "Cat Butt Art... and Other "Serious" Works", I knew I was going to like him. I followed his progress all along the way and so enjoyed finally meeting him and seeing his GIANT woodcut. His print, "Tanjie Looooooooongcat,” measured 96''x 40''!
Website: Luplollo.com
Randy Steward is a Lexington, Kentucky based artist. When I went to Randy's Instagram the first time and read, "Cat Butt Art... and Other "Serious" Works", I knew I was going to like him. I followed his progress all along the way and so enjoyed finally meeting him and seeing his GIANT woodcut. His print, "Tanjie Looooooooongcat,” measured 96''x 40''!
Website: Luplollo.com
Instagram: @Luplollo
Etsy: Luplollo
Katrina Dienno
Katrina's woodcut "Tiamat" measured 73.5'' x 37.5'' and caught my eye as soon as I walked in the room. Tiamat is a goddess of the primordial sea. As the story goes, she was split in two to form heaven and earth. But in Katrina's piece, Tiamat is splitting a ship full of men in two. Mythological themes run through Katrina's work and I love how she puts a modern spin on ancient tales.
Website: KatrinaDienno.com
Katrina's woodcut "Tiamat" measured 73.5'' x 37.5'' and caught my eye as soon as I walked in the room. Tiamat is a goddess of the primordial sea. As the story goes, she was split in two to form heaven and earth. But in Katrina's piece, Tiamat is splitting a ship full of men in two. Mythological themes run through Katrina's work and I love how she puts a modern spin on ancient tales.
Website: KatrinaDienno.com
Instagram: @katrinadienno
Dawn Grayford
Dawn Grayford is a Cincinnati-based printmaker and her Big Ink woodcut measured 36'' x 70''. When I asked Dawn about her subject, she told me the print depicted an enlightened courtesan named Jigoku-tayu, which translates to "Hell Courtesan." When I googled it, I found a lovely explanation of her story here. If you ever get the chance to see this print in person, take it. The detail of the chair vertebrae and the dancing skeletons on her Obi sash are remarkable.
Dawn Grayford is a Cincinnati-based printmaker and her Big Ink woodcut measured 36'' x 70''. When I asked Dawn about her subject, she told me the print depicted an enlightened courtesan named Jigoku-tayu, which translates to "Hell Courtesan." When I googled it, I found a lovely explanation of her story here. If you ever get the chance to see this print in person, take it. The detail of the chair vertebrae and the dancing skeletons on her Obi sash are remarkable.
Instagram: @DawnGrayford
Etsy: CrowBarCollective
James Billiter
James Billiter is a Cincinnati-based artist who is well known for his iconic Cincinnati scenes. I have admired his work for some time and finally met him in Columbus at the last Big Ink. His work is always meticulous and his piece, "Cincinnati Riverfront at Night" was no exception. This woodcut measured 60''x 30''. You all should visit his website and check out the video on his home page!
Website: BilliterSudio.com
Instagram: @billiterstudio
Milo Whitson
Milo Whitson is a Cincinnati-based artist whose first woodcut, "Temperance," tarot card measured 40''x 60''. "Temperance is all about patience, life in flow, purpose. The lessons of the card came through in each step of the process of creating this piece, and that’s some magic stuff."
Instagram: @possumsneeze
Fred Daniell
Fred Daniell is a Cincinnati-based artist whose work is "characterized by their subtle narrative undertones and are inspired by the master printmakers of from Japan (Ukiyo-e and Shin-hanga) and the Eastern European and American printmakers of the early 20th century." His gorgeous piece, "Mater Terra" measured 40''x 60''. Fred is currently the president of Tiger Lily Press and a super nice guy (I know this because one time he let me come to his house and pick up a frame I desperately needed at the last minute).
Instagram: @fred_daniell_art
Jonpaul Smith
Jonpaul Smith is a Cincinnati-based artist. His "Brahmin Moth" measured 40''x 30''. A big thank you to Jonpaul for helping to bring the Big Ink to Tiger Lily Press. Jonpaul has participated in the Big Ink numerous times and is a prolific printmaker as well as "weaver" of prints. You have to visit his website to see his large woven pieces! Plus visit his Instagram to see the beautiful permutations of his "Brahmin Moth" collaboration with DIY printing.
Website: JonpaulCSmith.com
Instagram: @jonpaulsmithart
John Lanzador
John Lanzador is a Cincinnati-based printmaker who I found out is my neighbor! His stunning piece, "Tiger Dragon" measured 36''x 48''. I'm especially interested in learning more about his painted carvings.
Website: johnlanzador.wixsite.com/artstuff
Instagram: @john.lanzador
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| Photo: Courtesy John Lanzador |
Aubrey Sarna
Aubrey Sarna took about two months carving her, “Jupiter, God of the Sky.” Her 36''x 36'' print was "inspired by images of Jupiter especially those taken by the Juno spacecraft in 2017."
Instagram: @aubrey.sarna
Jennifer Brown
Jennifer Brown is a Columbus-based artist. Her goddess print contained beautiful, fine carving, especially in the background plants.
Instagram: @jenjolleybrown
THANK YOU
Lyell Castonguay
Lyell Castonguay not only runs Big Ink, but is an incredible artist in his own right. He often depicts animal subjects and is a self-described "avid consumer of natural history, literature, and entertainment." I learned he particularly likes birds and was lucky to snag his last "Merlin" print.
Website: LyellCastonguay.com
Website: BigInk.org
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| Photo: from @BigInkPrints Instagram |
Carand Burnet
Carand Burnet co-founded the Big Ink with Lyell Castonguay and is the Big Ink social media coordinator and video producer. In addition, she is a talented musician and plays the electric guitar. I got to hear some of her music during the Big Ink and it is amazing! She also sews and has collaborated with Lyell to produce woodblock-printed fabric which she transforms into garments. At the Big Ink, she and Lyell were wearing matching woodblock-printed clothes! Adorable!
Website: kioea.bandcamp.com
Carand Burnet co-founded the Big Ink with Lyell Castonguay and is the Big Ink social media coordinator and video producer. In addition, she is a talented musician and plays the electric guitar. I got to hear some of her music during the Big Ink and it is amazing! She also sews and has collaborated with Lyell to produce woodblock-printed fabric which she transforms into garments. At the Big Ink, she and Lyell were wearing matching woodblock-printed clothes! Adorable!
Website: kioea.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @kioeamusic
Garrett Dienno
CONCLUSION
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| Photo from @kioea Instagram |
Garrett Dienno
One last thank you goes to Garrett Dienno and Katrina Dienno for helping to ink all day both days of the Big Ink! It was a lot of work and that is one GIANT brayer! I was mad I didn't get a picture of Garrett and George together with their wild beards, but someone did. If you have that photo, please contact me!
George Farnsworth
I also wanted to thank my husband George for supporting me (and feeding me!) through this whole project (and for filming, taking photos, proofreading, and listening to my print ponderings). This project would not be possible without you.
CONCLUSION
I just wanted to say a final BIG thank you to Lyell and Carand, Speedball Art Products, and all those at Tiger Lily Press who made this event possible. I've been a bit of a hermit during the pandemic and my "coming out" day was this event. It reminded me that you can make art in your basement all you want, but it is the sharing where the real treasure lies. The sense of community created by this event was wonderful and a really nice re-entry back into the world. It was a magical day and I left on cloud nine.
“We don't accomplish anything in the world alone and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry off one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that create something.” ― Sandra Day O'Connor
Other Magnolia Woodcut blog posts:
4 comments:
It was a lot of fun to see all the wonderful art. Everyone was so perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your lovely comment Aunt Patsy!
I can't thank you enough for sharing all of the other artists.....Just so inspiring Thank you SO much,
Mary Fritsch
Thank you Mary!
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