Tag Archives: relief printing

Make Gravy. Not War!

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My house was built in 1773, before the United States of America even existed.  It was built by hand, by men, who most likely could not even read.  The foundation was cut from the ridge directly across the street, (we have affectionately named that spot, foundation hill).

This house has stood through the formation of this nation.  Through wars, revolutionary and civil; wars of the world (two times).  Wars that were cold and some that were fought in jungles and in deserts so very  far away that the people who built this house could not have even contemplated.

Our house has stood through hurricanes, and blizzards, and house fires and floods.  This house has stood its’ ground gracefully and sternly for almost 250 years, so when Thanksgiving rolls around it is where my family congregates.  To give thanks mostly.  Thanks for everyone being there another year, for health and good fortune, and for those of us who live in this house-  that this house still stands.

Phish Magnaball

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Here is my latest print.  7 Color hand drawn, hand carved and hand printed linoleum block print commemorating Phish’s Magnaball Shows at Watkins Glen, NY next weekend.  The print measures 12 1/4 x 23 1/4 ish and is printed on 80 French Starch White Paper.  The lady glows in the dark.  Signed and numbered edition of 50.  Available for purchase at:  http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/product/phish-magnaball

By Popular Demand….Grateful Tube Artist Proofs now available.

posters deadOriginally these were created as a give away for my poster collecting friends during the GD50 shows in Chicago.  The original run of thirty was given out but I am still getting requests (every day). So, I am releasing my own proofs for purchase.  Each print measures 8 x 8 and is hand printed on 80lb french Speckletone paper and signed and marked as an artist proof.  Quantities are extremely limited.  Proofs can be purchased here:  http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/product/grateful-tube

Phish Storage Jam

A while back I was approached by a group of collectors who asked me if I would be interested in creating a print based on a particular musical event within an even larger music event.  The folks who wanted to hire me had attended Phish’s Superball IX Festival in Watkin’s Glen, NY in July of 2011.  Long after the main concert field had cleared the band set up inside a “storage unit” erected on site and played some of the most trippy, psychedelic music they have ever played.  Funny thing, you could not really see the band inside the nit, only their shadows working away.  I was immediately interested.  We agreed on one multi-colored print with a glow element.  The more i watched and listened to the storage jam , the more I became convinced that the best way to depict this event was with four prints, each print focusing on a different band member.  I went back to the group and asked permission to change the scope of our engagement.  I received and enthusiastic YES, and I began to draw, cut and print.  Each print measures 12 x 12, glows in the dark, and is embossed with the show information date, location, etc.

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American Master Printmaker: Jim Pollock

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At the beginning of the year I moved my studio to a much bigger space.  More room for everything, more light, more horizontal space, a ventilation system (of sorts) and did I mention more space.

The first thing I did in the new space was to print the last project that had been designed in my old space.  It went well.  I had more than enough space to print and  dry the 120 piece project with plenty of room to spare. While printing I began thinking of what was next.  Turns out what was next was a project that had been on my mind for about a year.  I wanted to create a print to honor my favorite block printer on the planet, Jim Pollock.  Jim single-handedly revitalized the music gig poster industry.  The industry in its’ current state literally erupted around him.  He brought the art back to gig posters, which for too long were merely poorly designed graphic art, a far cry from the high poster art that we saw in the 1960’s.  His now iconic hand printed posters created for Phish are some of the most coveted posters of all time. And he did all of this while remaining a nice guy.

At one point I changed from poster collector to poster maker and I attribute all of that to Jim Pollock.  His work made me curious about block printing and some of the first things I attempted to print were his old Phish posters.  Printmaking has unlocked an unknown joy in my life and for that I will always be grateful. I could go on and on but I think you get the point.   Check out the slideshow below to see how this print came together.

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These prints are available for purchase at my webstore:  http://marcguertincreative.bigcartel.com/