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Count Your Blessings – Rainbow Roll

A collection of facebook and Instagram “stories” while creating the rainbow roll

Today, i stayed busy by printing at the cabin. I tried a new technique, called the ‘rainbow roll’ it’s when you use more than one ink on the same roller. It’s a little bit like juggling-trying to keep the correct consistency of all 3 inks at the same time. it took some getting the hang of, but I did it!

a mult colored linocut print with ink in the background

This was also my first experience printing with process colors (yellow, magenta, cyan). I’m used to painter colors, like: ultramarine blue, burnt umber, viridian, etc. CMYK process colors are different – id say mixing them feels more scientific than artist colors.

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adjusting to a new way of life

As an artist, I like to think the work I do is essential. If nothing else, during this time of high anxiety, making art has helped me ‘keep calm and carry on’. The COVID 19 pandemic has brought a lot of our non essential economy to a halt.


I’m self employed, which means I don’t have the safety net of unemployment insurance, but IM OK: I have plenty of art supplies, food and toilet paper. I’m paid up on all my bills. I don’t have children to provide for. I’ve already started this year’s vegetable garden- sweet peas are in the ground!

This global emergency isn’t the right time for me try to sell art. I don’t have to be pushy and beg my friends and patrons to support my work right now. IM OK. Take care of yourself, and your family, check on the elderly and at risk people in your community, support someone whose business is in free fall…I am going to keep making, and I’ll sell you something really pretty and big and expensive once life gets back to normal.

Most of my business is ‘in real life’ sales. A lot of us have had to move their work online, and I’m going to try to do the same. I have been making some charming (6×8″) woodcuts printed on 8×10 heavyweight paper. If your financial situation is secure, and you’d like to have one, they are for sale at $20 each. You can use the purchase buttons above, or visit my online gallery to view other work for sale. The sale will help, but don’t feel any pressure to buy. IM GOING TO BE OK.

Keep an eye on this space. I’m going to keep making art, and will share online in hopes of providing cheer and inspiration for you all. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND EACH OTHER
-Ken

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Dust Bunny and Laundry Bunny Woodcuts

I havent left my house since thursday, and im watching the news more than i should…i can tell its causing me to be anxious, but i cant stop watching. Thought some spring cleaning would be a positive way to keep myself busy. Just finished carving this dust bunny woodcut. Will probably walk down to the cabin and print it later on. Hope you all are doing well!

woodcot of bunny rabbit swieeping with a broom

i try to avoid actually DOING chores whenever i can, so i started another chore bunny. Laundry!!

2 woodcut works in progress a bunny sweeping another hanging laundry on the line
a carved woodcut of a bunny rabbit hanging laundry on the line
The Laundry bunny, carved and ready for ink!

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Happy As A Pig In Mud

I already wish i had carved it bigger, this is 6×8. I combined 3 of my favorite things: printmaking, pottery and pigs! Title is: pig in mud. Will print later this afternoon. 

Woodcut of a pig at a pottery wheel

Special thanks to a donation from Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center, we have a new set of inks (from an even more more local company than our normal ink: only 5 hours away:chicago) to try at the log cabin print shop. Going to take them for a test drive with pig in mud!

A grouping of diferent hanco printmaking inks

you *know* with all those new colors, the first one i cracked open was brown. Haha

test proof of woodcut of pig making pottery
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A new ‘flowerpot’ – ferdinand the bull

Well, im working on another “flowerpot”. The first was 15″ the second is going to be even bigger! Im using a combination of pinch pot and coil pot, techniques you probably learned in elementary school. I dont know if pot #2 is a cow or horse goat or sheep, but whatever it is, building it is like dancing with a drunk.

artist handbuilding clay animal
improvised sculpture support for handbuilt bull
not a very sophisticated support system. Here in rural Kentucky, we learn to get by with what we have!
Artist Handbuilding clay bull sculpture
adding a clay horn to a clay bull sculpture
adding horns
clay bull sculpture
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Pig On Bicycle – Woodcut Print – Log Cabin Print Shop

Its only 39 degrees right now, but sunshine makes all the difference. Im going to try to finish carving my pig on a bicycle today (week 3). The print shop is open today until 5pm for any artists who want to carve, print or just hang out.

pig woodcut outside log cabin
Carving Outdoors at the Log Cabin Print Shop

UPDATE :Taking a moment to step back and think about where this is going

partially carved woodcut of pig on bicycle

UPDATE: I think im done…maybe just one or two little details?

woodcut carved and ready to print

the test proof!

a test proof of pig on bike woodcut inside a log cabin
woodcut of pig on bicycle hanging to dry
Hanging to dry
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Log cabin print shop 2-22-2020 pig on bicycle

Its printmaking day at the log cabin print shop. Im ready to start a new 16×20 woodcut. Heres my sketch (only about 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches in size) ive transferred the sketch to tracing paper and drew a rough grid so i can flip the image and transfer to the wood block. No photos or computers…all analog. Stay tuned for progress reports

rough sketch for woodcut of pig on bicycle
pig on bicycle design on wood block
transferred the drawing onto the wood block. Time to start carving!
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Log Cabin Print Shop 2-15-2020 – goats woodcut

This is a big (for me) woodcut 16×20″. My goal today is to finish carving it while i’m working at the Log Cabin Print Shop from noon-5pm.

woodcut work in progress 3 goats standing on top of each other

You are welcome to stop by: to see how the woodcut is going -or- to make your own!

close up of finished carved woodcut of baby goat standing on mama goat's back

UPDATE: im finished carving. This little goat at the top is my happiness! Time to ink and test proof

artist holding test proof of 3 goat woodcut

The test proof. I am happy!

The Finished Woodcut! 3 Goats!