Artwork description:

Sussex is a large linocut print and one of two that complete the series. Here I return in winter also for the last time. The cabin is gone; there are streets and suburban houses here now. Where once only crabapple orchards and traces of colonial stone walls littered the forest floor are sounds of progress (maybe). I am much older now but I wanted to show my wife where I came from, what inspired me to finish the series. These last prints are stronger in graphic terms, much bolder in the use of black and white. I would tell my students when you create an equal distribution of black and white, you achieve the maximum visual contrast. One way to accomplish this is to combine the black line or Chinese method. That requires the removal or cut away on two sides to create a black line. The other way is the white line or Japanese method, which would utilize broad color shapes with single lines intertwined.

The print Sussex is a recollection of what happens when you follow a wagging tail. Not far from the public hunting and fishing grounds was a snow covered thicket just in front of the forest edge. I was moving past it in the direction of a corn field in search of some late season pheasants. My companion sensed something and began to stick her nose under the blanket of snow. I felt like laughing at the sight, the small pile of snow on her nose reminded me of a snow man. But my instincts were to move toward her and ready myself. Then as she jumped into the thicket a cock bird leaped out with a flurry of snow all around.

Materials used:

Daniel Smith Traditional Black Relief Ink on Zerkall Book Smooth White over Somerset Satin White 250gm

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