First Friday: Julia Rix Woodcut

Here's my friend artist/teacher Julia:

What attracts me to woodcut printing is the sincerity of the materials. There is a quality to the print that reflects the natural process by which the wood is made…the texture of the imperfections… 

I took a course with Dan Miller (an AMAZING Woodcut Artist - look him up!) at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts last winter and he shared with me (among many very precious gems of information) this wooden registration device he makes for his students. It's really simple…made from plywood, a few 1 x 2's and some edging, glue, nails, and a hammer. It gives me a firm support to hand print on (with a wooden spoon) and helps me to line up the Japanese Mulberry paper. 

Who doesn't love a clothesline?!!

I am a great admirer of bees. The subject of this fable by Aesop thereby caught my attention. I am a middle school art teacher and this work of mine (begun in April!) inspired an Aesop's Fable assignment that my 9th grade students completed in Linocut (no wood at school). As usual I was amazed by the variety of directions my students took this idea. 

 

I am glad to bring my own project to fruition and  have these prints available at the MamaCITA Holiday show this Sunday in Elkins Park, PA *you are invited!

 
 
Julia Rix lives in Elkins Park and teaches Art and ESL at Abington Junior High School.  Her work has been published in Philadelphia Stories and exhibited in art centers throughout the Philadelphia area. She is a member of several artist organizations, namely MamaCITA, Prints Link Philadelphia and the American Color Print Society.  In March 2014 she will be speaking in San Diego at the National Conference for the National Art Education Association.

From Diana: Dan Miller taught my woodcut class 30 years ago at PAFA. He's over 80 now. He's on my best teacher list (though I wasn't wild about woodcut).  From his Facebook page: "Feeling the sympathy of wood I have gravitated over the years toward the woodcut and wood sculpture. But material is only the beginning. The task has been to make personal what the material allows." He's been saying that to students for a very long time. 

You can view some of his woodcuts here.

Comments

[Laurie]

Love!!!!!

[Wendy @ the Late Start Studio]

Stunning work, such forethought and patience required once the design is there.

And the quote "material is only the beginning. The task has been to make personal what the material allow." As a collector of too much 'material' I need to pare back and focus on the personal. A good start to a rainy summer Saturday . . . perfect for play!

[Julia]

Thanks!

Yes, I agree that Dan's words are quite profound... An excellent studio mantra.

[Jeannie]

Simply beautiful! I have played with wood carving and know a little of the difference between working with wood and other media. This has inspired me to get out the tools and see what happens. Thanks!

[Danielle]

I love wood carving and printmaking! Great work!

[Julia]

Thank you, Jeannie! The wood can be quite easy to work. The key is to use sharp blades and I suggest white pine no. 2.

[Julia]

Thanks, Danielle!