Relief block prints are prints hand pulled from a carved block. Originally the block was made of wood because that was the material available. These prints were traditionally called Wood Cuts. In around the mid-20th century artists began to use linoleum blocks which were softer and easier to cut than wood. These prints are often referred to as linocuts.

After the image has been carved, ink is rolled on the carved block hitting the areas that are in relief. Paper is then placed on the block and rubbed with a wooden spoon or barren, the paper is pulled off and voila’ you have a print.

I attended the San Francisco Art Institute back in the late 1960’s which had become known for the Bay Area Figurative Movement. Although that time had passed there was still a great emphasis on drawing the human figure at the school. The human figure is important to me because I feel it tells a story and expresses the human condition. It also seems to work well with the expressive media of relief block prints.

Traditionally relief block prints are printed in an what is called an “edition,” where a number of identical prints are printed at the same time and then numbered.
When I print, I roll the colors on in such a way that each print is different. I called them unique variations.

The show will be up from Sept. 26 through Oct. 30. Signed copies of my new children’s book, “A Thank You Book for Kids,” will also be available.