Interview - Daily Lino Project by rainboeliza

Biography

 --- {an artist} ---

who is often found drinking a nice cup of tea

while meandering in her mind about infinite possibilities of things

Originally from rural Pennsylvania, I have lived on both the east and west coasts of the United States as well as intervals abroad. I recently wrapped up a 6 month internship at the Pont Aven School of Contemporary Art in Pont-Aven, France, have spent a few months back in the good ole' U.S. of A, and have just begun a year long teaching gig in South Korea.  I guess you could say, for the moment, that I am a French inspired American, carving in Korea. . . Soon to be inspired by Korea too!  With a BFA under my belt, a love of making art, and some super amazing cultural exchanges taking place; whatever will come next? 

Why printing? 

Actually, I enjoy doing a grand amount of things, but since I've been limited to two bags and a carry on for the last two years, I've had to down sized a bit.  A table saw isn't so easily portable - a sixteen pound baby press?  Oh yes.  Plus, what's not to love about being able to share things with the people I meet everywhere I go?!

What is your favorite print medium and why?

Without a doubt, relief printing, and more specifically wood or lino cuts, (although I do heart screen printing and find great use for monotype too).  I just love the feel of the tools in my hands, the controlled movement that creates a fascinating pile of waste, the joy of pulling the first print and seeing how my hand created such a thing. . . It seems like such a fundamental act that I cannot help but to feel transported and connected to an earlier time in human history. 

How long have you been printing and how has your work evolved?

Mmm, I've been printing for a little over five years.  Because I've been traveling around quite a bit in recent years, and often with no studio or very limited supplies, there have been mostly grand shifts.  Size and the use of color are big ones. When I have the use of a printmaking studio I work in a lot of layers, colors, other mediums, and in a much larger scale - sometimes up to seven feet.  Without a studio, I tend to work in the more simplistic world of black and white, and with sizes as small as a half inch by a half inch.  There is such a stark contrast at times that even I'm surprised by it.

What or Who influences your work?

Movers and shakers that influence my would certainly include the poetic writings of Gaston Bachelard, the sculptures, prints and books by Leonard Baskin, and the more contemporary semi-social practice work of David Horvitz.  I feel all these artist are moved by the human spirit and not simply aspiring to impress, imitate, or be puppets of others. 

The best work I make is heavily influenced by my surroundings - the people, the conversations, the food, the things, the landscape and the emotions they evoke.  If something resonates with me, then rest assured it will be translated into a carving or another work of art.   

How do your promote your work?

Word of mouth and networking within a community is really important.  So I try to do as much volunteering and socializing in the community as possible, but, again, since I've been on the constant move, it's been really tough to build a solid network.  Hence, I've stuck to the internet.  I send out monthly emails, do a ton of blogging, started a Facebook page for the blog, try to keep current with Etsy, and I also participate as well as host print exchanges and mail art exhibitions around the globe.  

Are you working on any particular projects now?  

Oh yes! Currently I'm working on the Daily Lino Project.  I started it last April when I was living in France as a way of documenting the little things I would ordinarily take for granted.  In many ways, it is a diary or journal of my travel adventures.  Mind you, most of the, now over 251, prints are sketch carvings; meaning they are not grand master pieces.  Some of them eventually turn into bigger more developed prints, but most of them remain as little 'isms'.

Last summer I wrapped up the French edition and couldn't have been more thrilled with the end results.  One hundred twenty prints printed on French toilet paper, housed in mini crates I repurposed from the food crates found at the weekly market, and tied with string from the boulangerie!  I cannot wait to see how the year in Korea version turns out!

Oh, plus Postcard Project call for entries coming early March!

Tell us one random fact about yourself

Mmm, when I was five or so my mother gave my brother a painting of a butterfly she had made.  There was a sort of love that emulated from the painting every time I looked at it. From that moment on, I felt if such a thing could bring joy into the world, then I wanted to do that too.  Hence, the making hasn't ended since . . .

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