Carving in a new way...

I have been thinking a lot about linoleum block printing for the last two years. Whenever I carve a pot, I thinking about how well the design would translate to a print. I had a very small experience with block printing in high school and that was a long, long, time ago! Last week I finally decided to buy a tool set and give it a try. 

As usual, youtube is a great place to find tutorials. The BEST advice I found on "Instructables". The artist recommended using a heated blanket to warm your lino block before carving. I don't have a heated blanket, but a heating pad is actually a better alternative. The artist who suggested the heated blanket was young, and probably hasn't experienced the aches and pains that I have, therefore he probably doesn't even know that such a thing exists. The warm linoleum cut very smoothly and with less effort. Which for me translates into less stress on my shoulder.

I finished carving my block this morning and was ready for some test printing...

 Not bad for a first block. Next time I will leave more raised line in between the leaves. I also will go back and carve some of the veins a little deeper. You can see where some filled with ink.

 One of the reasons I wanted to carve a lino block with my design is to be able to print bags for our pottery. I know it sounds like a daunting task, but I think it will be an enjoyable evening activity during the winter months. I am also considering creating some note cards.

Jeff is also going to carve a block and we are planning to do one together with our names and chop marks.
I was super stressed in September when I injured my shoulder. Losing nearly a month of pottery making before the last show of the year was scary. I have to say that I learned something from it. It's better to take care of your body than push it over the edge. There will always be enough pots for a show, even if they aren't exactly the ones you planned on... and while you are taking it slow, learn to do something new.