Michael Smith In block printing, I tend to create tight compositions that focus the viewer’s attention on the subject but still allow for the wonderful variety of “marks” that can be made through the carving and printing process to become a textural attribute. This with the highly graphical tendencies of block printing can give most images a weighty feeling. In this medium, objects that are soft tend to become rigid and angular. When subjects start with a sense of foreboding, it is only exaggerated. I was initially introduced to block printing while studying Vincent Van Gogh and the influences of the Japanese woodcuts that were finding their way to Europe. With further study, I fell in love with the works of the German Expressionists like Käthe Kollwitz and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner with their strong angular compositions and use of black space. Other artists who have experimented with print making either through woodcuts or etching, like Edvard Munch, Albrecht Dürer and M.C. Escher continue to have a great effect on the way I view the medium. All of my prints are from limited edition printings, hand pulled and in the case of multi-colored images, hand registered. This tends to create images within an edition that are similar in quality, but do have some individuality because of the printing process. Image Conservation All images are presented with conservation in mind. All materials used were selected to ensure the longevity of the image. Images are matted using acid-free museum quality matte board and framed using UV coated glass or plexiglass. Images are framed using typically black or dark brown frames depending on the image. All photographs are signed on the matte. Block prints are signed and numbered on both the matte and the print. Michael Smiths Artwork at Redhare El Padre del las Masas Despair Dragonfly Harvest Morning Rain Raven The Cave Musician Cobble Street Symphonic Three Musicians Artist's Web Site: zhibit.org/msmith318 Top    |   Back    |   Home