Woodcuts 07/06/2005 Just occasionally I do a post on art. In Art I tried to describe what art is, in A Painting Blog I described a painting that I came across during my visit to Vicksburg, and in Lawton Arts Festival I gave a brief review of that festival.A few days ago I came across a blog that has decided me to write of art again. Jim Larimer's blog, LarimerArt is the one I refer to and I urge you to have a look right now rather than continue reading my pompous pontificating. If you have any appreciation of art at all, you will love Jim's pictures.Jim does work in oil paint as well but the examples he has on display in his blog so far are woodcuts. This is a very old art form and, in Europe, is linked to the invention of printing. It involves cutting a design into a block of wood, inking and then using it to produce pictures on paper, very much like the early printing methods. Although the initial design is drawn on paper in the usual way, this becomes a negative impression when transferred to the wood so that prints taken from the block are positive.The resultant artwork is very distinctive and instantly recognizable as a woodcut. Because the artist is working with just two colors (usually black and white, the black of the ink and the white of the paper), the edges are hard and clear, areas of shadow very dark against the bright white where light falls. This can be softened by the skill of the artist in shading with fine lines.More colors can be added by cutting blocks that imprint with another color. Of course, these have to be carefully calculated to fit with the shapes already applied. One begins to appreciate the skill and planning involved in such artwork. Jim has a few examples of these colored prints on display.I have given this brief description of the processes involved to explain the characteristic look of the woodcut. Beyond that, I would like to point out that Jim's work has that indefinable something that makes great art stand out. His subjects are ordinary and uncomplicated, yet there is a beauty to the finished product that goes beyond the straightforward depiction of a scene. One of his commenters makes a statement that gives an insight into this: "The graceful arcing of the orchids juxtaposed with the craft itself which is hard and by nature rough".It is impossible for me to say exactly what I see in Jim's woodcuts, however. We can talk of skill and technique until the cows come home, but this does not explain how I know his art is a cut above the rest (pardon the pun). It just is, that's all. Life and light pour from his pictures in a way that does not happen in the work of so many others. In the end, I can only suggest that you look for yourself; perhaps you will see it too.
Clive
John (SYNTAGMA) You got me there, Clive, because I just love woodcuts. I could look at them all day. And your chap is a very good exponent of the art/craft. I tried it once, but alas have absolutely no talent for it, despite the fact that my younger brother was once a professional cartoonist. Date Added: 07/06/2005
Gone Away Must admit that I've never tried it myself, John, but I do like the effect of woodcuts. Date Added: 07/06/2005
Mad Yeah, the guy's good... but let us talk of real art. Let us discuss the role and skill of the clip artist. Especially the MS Word clip artists... Date Added: 07/06/2005
Gone Away Funnily enough, Mad, I even have an opinion on clip art. The best is Corel's by several million miles... Date Added: 07/06/2005
Ned Beautiful stuff. I particularly liked Dining Room Late Afternoon, Jazz and Rusty. There is a life and light that emanates from them that appeals to me. This just goes to show the blogosphere is not just for diaries and politics, nor is it just the domain of the writer. The blogosphere is a whole new creative venue, long may it remain free, growing and evolving. Date Added: 07/06/2005
Gone Away Hear, hear, Ned! Date Added: 07/06/2005
Ken I've looked at the site, Gone Away. Jim has superb skills in such a demanding medium. The ways he develops texture and light and shade are just exquisite. I have a friend who lives near Denver, maybe I'll persuade him to drop in with his cheque book! Date Added: 08/06/2005
Gone Away Great idea, Ken. I'm sure Jim would appreciate that! Date Added: 08/06/2005
Way I ran across this artist’s works a few days ago, Gone, but didn’t leave a comment. But since you’ve brought it up again, and since I know how dear this subject is to you, I have some thoughts I’ll try to lay out. First of all, as pure graphics, they do work well. Clean. Simplistic. His balance is impeccable. A story is clearly told quickly, but then, for me, I lose all interest. And here is why. Years back, while working for a year as an underling in the Marine Corps Combat Art department (where I received what I have always called my only formal education in art), one particular man (and his name escapes me) submitted a series of woodcuts. I’d seen some before -- you know the sort -- small, 5x9 illustrations in old books of our youth. These, however, blew me away. Remember that old term, you hippie? Measuring 30x40 inches, and done on soft sheets of Japanese rice papers, each one called, no, they each DEMANDED that you do two things -- one was to reach out and stroke the surface with your hand; the other, by the sheer beauty of the black inked-detail set on the sensual appearing sheet cried not to, out of respect and awe. I can only say it was a moment that impressed me to no end. Then another thing grabbed me as well. The background, where the artist had painstakingly carved away and left patterns of what should be nothing on the page, was plainly evident on each of the consecutive prints…each one, of course, being different. The “motion” that these unintended lines gave caused the eye to wander and soak up the accidental beauty even they portrayed, and yet none distracted at all from the subject, but only enhanced the whole effect. Maybe I got spoiled back then. Or maybe it’s the format here…the computer attempting to display art. So. Date Added: 09/06/2005
Gone Away I understand completely, Harry. Once one has had a mind-changing experience of a particular art form, it is hard for anything to compare. My experience of woodcuts has been far more limited - I was struck by the very simplicity and elegance of Jim's work. And are you trying to tell me they no longer use the expression "blown away"? Heck, Harry, I say it every day... Date Added: 09/06/2005
Way But you live in Oklahoma. Which is, um, pretty far out. Date Added: 09/06/2005
Gone Away That's because I'm cool, Way, cool. In fact, I'm so far out, I'm invisible, man! Date Added: 09/06/2005
Way Say, dont flip out, but I think a tornado got Ned. Date Added: 09/06/2005
Gone Away Like, man, Ned is real gone and that tornado took her all the way to Oz! Date Added: 09/06/2005
Ned Okay, first decide if you are beatniks or hippies... Okay, so like I'm groovin' in this totally Donna Reed gig, you know man? And like, everything is cool, a little monochromatic but cool. Then Mother Nature man, she pulls a freak-out on me and whoa, I am in technicolor. I thought I was trippin', know what I mean? But lately man, the blogosphere has been a real drag. Ain't nobody groovin' on wizards no more. Date Added: 09/06/2005
Gone Away 'Cept maybe the wizards... Date Added: 09/06/2005
keeefer see children, thats what too many woodcuts do to you Date Added: 09/06/2005
Gone Away LOL Date Added: 09/06/2005
Way At last, Oz-speaks. Date Added: 09/06/2005
Gunnery Sergeant Mike Fay USMCR The gentleman who produced those profoundly wonderful woodblock prints for the Marine Corps Combat Art Collection name is John Witt. I'm the current combat artist for the Marine Corps. Date Added: 26/11/2005
Gone Away Thanks for the info, Mike (and also for your excellent blog). Date Added: 26/11/2005
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