Artist's Statement
Printmaking allows me to be artistically creative and to experiment with various techniques. The elements of art and principles of design I learned in art school and the essence of my life experiences inspire me and are incorporated in my work.
The images begin as original drawings. I carve them into wood and use the wood blocks to print in the Japanese moku hanga tradition. The completed prints are minimal by design, but saturated with color using Japanese woodblock printing techniques. The editions are small, original works of art, which I sign and number.
This process is hundreds of years old and has changed very little over time. Art supplies required include wood, a few Japanese tools to carve the wood, watercolors, rice paste, Japanese brushes, Japanese papers and a Japanese tool called baren to print. Moku-hanga is a labor-intensive process that requires patience to master. It is a direct and intimate approach to making fine art prints. The technique is nontoxic and safe for the artist and the environment.
My mind, body and spirit feel whole as I work through the process of creating prints inspired by the traditional Japanese techniques. I feel connected and grounded when I’m carving the wood and hand-pulling the prints. For me, it is a meditative Zen art experience.