15 March 2012

Mixed Feelings #1: Dirt

Mixed1_Dirt

MIXED FEELINGS #1: DIRT
Japanese-method woodblock (moku hanga) with transfer drawing
Image size: 10.25" x 17" (26 x 43 cm)
Paper size: 12.5" x 19" (63.5 x 98 cm)
Paper: Shikoku White
Edition: 10
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This print is the first in a series that examines cliches we have about money that use the same metaphor for both wealth and poverty. Here we have sayings that compare both great wealth and abject poverty to dirt and filth. Does this mean that we see money itself as unclean?

The print was made with two blocks of wood, one uncarved for applying the dirty texture and one carved with the "Filthy Rich" text and printed with brown:

FilthyCarving

The "dirt poor" handwriting (modeled on my father's handwriting) was done with a technique known as transfer drawing. First I printed out the handwriting on laser paper. Then I inked the back:

TraceSetup

I placed the inked handwriting template on top of the woodblock print and used the top of a pen to trace the handwriting, transferring the ink onto the print.

TraceHandwriting

I expect that there will be 8 more prints in this series.

4 comments:

betsy best-spadaro said...

Wow, very cool! I want to try that!
Love the word play.

Andrew Stone said...

Very nice.
Good idea.
Well-printed and very coherent.
The hand written/hand transferred writing is very effective as is the dirty mottling you got from the uncarved block.
I like the final "look" and the play.
Again a thoughtful, interesting offering from Annie.

alison said...

This is a very interesting technique and has produced a nice texture.Fasinating series.

Katka said...

A very thought-provoking and compelling idea. And as Andrew already said, very effective. Very nice!