The Creative Process
Step 1: Dream Big!
Every piece begins with a spark, a thought, a memory, a verse, or a fleeting moment that begs to be captured. This is where wonder runs free and imagination takes the lead. I gather inspiration from faith, nature, everyday beauty, and the stories we carry, letting ideas swirl and take shape in my mind. There’s no rush in this stage: it’s about listening, observing, and allowing the vision to unfold naturally. Dreaming is where the heart of the work is born, setting the tone for everything that follows.
Step 2: Prepare your block.
Once the idea is set, it’s time to give it a surface to live on. In printmaking, that could be anything from a smooth sheet of linoleum to a gleaming piece of copper, a hefty slab of limestone, or even a humble school eraser. Each material has its own personality, its own resistance, texture, and way of holding a mark.
This stage is about patience and precision: cutting to size, smoothing edges, and readying the surface so it’s perfect for carving, etching, or drawing. Part of it could even be doing an image transfer from your sketchbook or a digitally printed illustration onto the block itself. It’s the quiet, intentional, hands-on preparation that turns a blank block into the beginning of something beautiful.
Step 3: Get Carving!
With the block prepared, the real magic begins. This is where the image comes to life: line by line, cut by cut, mark by mark. Carving into linoleum, etching into copper, or drawing onto limestone, each stroke is deliberate, guided by both the original vision and the surprises that happen along the way. It’s a dance between planning and discovery, where every mark leaves its own impression in the surface. This stage demands focus, patience, and a steady hand, but it’s also full of joy, the satisfaction of seeing an idea take tangible form.
Step 4: Inking Up!
Once the design fully carved or etched, it’s time to bring it to life with ink. First, a slab of ink is rolled out on a clean surface (usually a glass table or a sheet of plexi-glass) until it reaches just the right consistency: smooth, even, and a low hiss sound (as my professors used to say). Using a brayer, the ink is then rolled onto the block, catching every raised line or recessed detail meant to print. This is where the block transforms from a freshly carved surface into a bold image waiting to be revealed. The inking process is deliberate. It’s a balance of care and intuition: too much ink can blur the details, too little can leave the print flat. It’s all about trial and error, keep proofing, it’ll all be worth it when the first print is pulled.
Step 5: The Big Reveal
With the block inked and ready, it’s time for the moment of truth. A sheet of paper is carefully placed over the surface, then pressure is applied, either by running it through a press or by hand printing with tools like a baren, wooden spoon, or even just the palm of your hand. This step requires even pressure to ensure the ink transfers cleanly, capturing every detail. Then comes the best part: gently peeling back the paper to reveal the first impression. It’s a mix of anticipation and delight, seeing an idea that started in your mind now alive on paper, ready to share its story with the world.
