Demonstrating cutting a linocut at KVAL

Demonstrating cutting a linocut, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Well, the KVAL Artist Demonstration that I've been preparing for months is now over. I was so worried about not having enough to fill the time that I wrote a 6 page outline and had enough material for two or three presentations. That was a good thing. I just hope I didn't sound too confusing by trying to cover too much in one sitting. I tried to talk about the history of the Eastern and Western woodblocks and how they led up to linocuts, the tools, and the technique that I use.

As usual, I worry myself into a fit days, weeks and months ahead of time. Worrying about what to talk about, how to convey the material and what to show. Then, on the actual day, I relax. I can't prepare any more, I can't learn any more and I can't do anything more. I can only do the best I can with what I've prepared.

My voice is naturally soft and doesn't carry well so that was my greatest challenge. I guess it got softer as the night wore on. I had encouraged everyone at the very beginning of the program to shout out if it was too quiet.

People genuinely seemed excited about trying linocuts when I spoke with them afterwards and that is the real goal of the art league: to get people excited about art. In that respect, I guess I did my job. A few even wanted me to do a workshop with them.

In the photo here, I had just slipped and almost cut my finger - just a nick, no blood, so it doesn't count! This after I had just told everyone that safety is primary and never get your fingers in the way of your cutting tools. I also told them never to wear white when printmaking... do as I say and not as I do, I guess. I've never gashed my hands - yet and I've not ruined a shirt either.

Thank you to Robyn Wellsfor taking photos.