“Jessica Turning”, woodblock print, 11 state reduction, graphite on Yamaguchi Hosho paper approximately 10″ x 7.5″ (chuban) completed October 21, 2003.
"This was my first experiment with graphite. I bought a one pound bag from Daniel Smith for about $10. Used about a teaspoon to produce these fifty-two 11″ x 8″ sheets (later trimmed to 10″ x 7.5″). Mixed the dry graphite into alcohol, then mixed that into rice paste and printed as usual. Not surprisingly, these little woodblock prints have the character and ‘feel’ of little pencil drawings. The figure is approximately 3.5″ tall. Very tiny!" Quote from Mike Lyon.
Mike Lyon is an American printmaker who uses technology to the nth degree. The above print is an early experiment in printing with graphite rather than ink and is one of my favorites in our collection.
Mike Lyon also produces stunning woodblocks, often printed from over 12 blocks. The detail is amazing and made possible by using technology. The cherry blocks are cut using a computerised router and printed using an automated Lyon designed press. The original images are usually photographs. Often criticised for overusing technology I think Lyon is at the forefront of contemporary printmaking and well worth collecting.
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