The 2010 December issue of the
OXFORD AMERICAN magazine has just hit the book stores. It's the annual southern music issue and this year Alabama music is featured. A free CD is included. My contribution to this issue is a linoleum block relief print of
Sister Gertrude Morgan.
When asked if I'd be interested in tackling the job of creating a block print to accompany an article on Sista', my first thought was to say no. My plate was already full and I was just a few days away from driving to DC to participate in a Book Arts fair. I honestly didn't think that I could give the subject enough time and attention, to achieve a successful outcome. Thankfully, the design and production manager at OA forwarded an image of Sister Gertrude as a reference. That was a huge jump start for me and it shortened my time, significantly, in researching Sista'. The challenge was on!
At the end of my 9 to 5 work week, I drove directly home, pulled the shutters, locked the doors and flew into overdrive. I designed, cut and printed the block in two days. INSANE! By noon, the following Monday, the digital files were in the hands of the magazine. I made two impressions of the block. One image was printed on a bright white BFK Rives paper and a second printing was pressed onto chip board. The most difficult task was hand cutting the letters. Ouch!
Thanks to my friend and fellow printmaker
Charles Buchanan for the referral.
**Note to all of the magazine editors out there. If you're looking for a lino block artist
AND IF you can match the professionalism and flexibility of the design and production manager at OA . . . I'm available.
Labels: BFK Rives, block prints, Charles Buchanan, chip board, linoleum block relief print, Oxford American magazine, Sister Gertrude Morgan
