The works displayed on these pages are all original limited-edition relief prints. The images are carved from either linoleum or wood to produce a raised “relief” matrix that is inked and printed onto quality printmaking paper. All of my prints are hand-pulled on a blue table-top etching press named Max. They are not digitally reproduced. Each print takes several hours to complete.
The colour prints are done in one of three ways:
Hand-tinted: the image is printed in black ink and then hand-tinted in water colour.
Multi-block: each colour is carved and printed from a separate block.
Reduction: one or two blocks are continuously carved away, or “reduced”, as each of the colours that make up the image is printed. Very little is generally left of the block(s) by the time the print is complete. A step-by-step description of the reduction print process can be found at the link below:
Reduction Print Process
The inspiration for my work comes from childhood memories of the Czech Republic, from my imediate surroundings, and from literature, myth, and folklore.
I studied art and technical theatre (costume and set design) at Northern Arizona Univeristy and at the University of British Columbia where I completed my BFA degree in Technical Theatre.
I was introduced to relief printmaking in 2005 and it remains my medium of choice to this day. I love the level of craft involved in the carving of each image and the element of surprise with the pulling of each new print.