Northern Crow (original linocut)

NORTHERN CROW is a six-layer linocut print created from three hand-carved blocks, two of which are repeated in the composition. Edition of 12 signed and numbered, plus 1 signed artist proof. (Four slightly flawed seconds may be offered at in-person shows.) The crow is a very deep purple-black, the compass roses pale violet, and the snowflakes metallic silver.

Crows mean many things in many traditions, but across several you’ll find them associated with curiosity and creativity, which is a key part of this print’s meaning for me, along with the northeast orientation of the compass roses, and the forward-looking position of the bird. Crows stay the winter here in Maine, and the panicles of staghorn sumac trees provide sustenance when other food sources are depleted, frozen, or snow-covered. As I struggle sometimes to continue creating when circumstances are imperfect or difficult, I look to the crows.

12 x 16 inch hosho select paper by Awagami in Japan, image is approximately 10 x 13 inches. Shown in a 16 x 20 frame with mat as an example only. (Matted, unframed prints will be available at in-person shows.)

This original linocut print has been created with oil-based Cranfield inks in my studio in Blue Hill, Maine, from a hand-drawn and carved blocks in battleship gray linoleum. Because each print is an original, please expect minor variations in the embossing, texture, and inking as compared to the samples shown. These are unique characteristics of the hand-printing process that make your print one of a kind.