technique and process

Crystal Geodesic Dome

A few loose grasps at drawing a crystal geodesic dome. As an experiment here is a song to accompany the images.

The Dove and Rings

The Dove and the Rings, copper engraving, 2003

I have been rephotographing some of my work as I update the pages here at The School of the Transfer of Energy. I always forget about this engraving that I did back in 2003 for the wedding announcement of my greatest friend. There is nothing in my experience to compare with the quality of line that comes from engraving copper. My poor example here is nothing compared to the great masters of this art, both living and dead. All the same I breath a deep breath of satisfaction at seeing the beautiful lines brought about by such force and intensity as the cutting of the copper and the pressure of the press.

A Portrait of the Workshop in April

The provision for me in my shop this past week: cutting dovetails in black walnut for a chest, some goat-milk and lime paint for the butcher block legs, and finishing up the milling of the mighty locust.

Thomas Grisaille

Thomas is taking a break now, but here is the most recent status of the grisaille under-paintng.

Prospecting and Process

Dovetail Jig (in 4/4 time)

There was a question about the jig I used to make the “dovetails” in my last post, so here it is.

Fragments of an Unusual Chest

Will it float?

Carved Bowls in Cottonwood and Birch

Carving bowls helps me to live on the land

Big Bear of a Locust Log

We cut this big dead Honey-Locust (Gleditsia triancanthos) at Boaz last fall. I cut him in half out there free-hand, which took nearly 3 hours, then hauled him home. After some flattening I cut the halves into 3.5″ slabs. I still had to use the tractor to move them.

Zechariah

Zechariah, proof of a 3- color lino-cut.

I’ve been tinkering with this print for a few months now trying to get it right- not really sure that I am getting anywhere. While the 3rd block still needs a little adjusting- some of the lines are too narrow and gather ink to fast- it seemed ready to offer up here. Maybe you can give me some insight.

The print employs 3 different blocks, and there are in truth 4 colors if you include the white of the paper, which is part of the design. To cut down on time between printings in developing the proofs, I have been using water based inks. The final edition will use inks with oil as the vehicle. I have included a number of images from my process and some variations of the actual print along the way.