Statement Prints

These are three linoleum prints that I made, depicting a the rear view of a car driving toward a city skyline. The first is the plain print, the second I added colored pencil to, and the third I extended using more ink.

To create this piece I first chose an issue that I felt strongly about (global warming) and sketched an image that would represent my view on the subject. I then went over this sketch in soft graphite and translated it onto a piece of linoleum by pressing the soft graphit into the linoleum and rubbing the back of the paper with hard graphite. This effectively left a mirror image of my drawing in graphite on the linoleum. Using this outline, I then carved the linoleum using various tools, choosing carefully what elements would be positive or negative (untouched to make the print or carved to leave empty space respectively). When my carving on the linoleum was complete, I began the printing process. To make the prints I first had to make a registration—a piece of paper the same size as my printing paper on which I found and outlined a place for the linoleum in the center. I rolled printing ink onto the linoleum using a brayer and then—with the linoleum in the center of my registration—layed my printing paper over the linoleum, lining it up with the registration. I then rubbed the ink into the paper with a ROLLY THINGY and sometimes used the ink press. When I removed the paper, my print was on it in ink and I painted ink onto parts that didn't get enough ink on them. As shown in the images, I went back and edited two of my prints. I added color to one print and ink to the outside of another with the positive and negative spaces reversed. Composition rules and techniques demonstrated in this piece are informal balance with the bumper stickers, leading lines (horizon and road lines), and framing—especially in the one I added color to. Because they are prints, contrast in the major principle of design shown here. My project evolved in that at first I was just going to print with the car but I added the bumper stickers because I though they supported the message I was trying to convey.

In creating this work I wanted to send a message about the reality and impact of global warming. The car and smokestacks in the background are releasing smoke to represent pollution and the bumper stickers on the car show the dangers of global warming with symbols for environmental harm, high temperatures, radiation, etc. This relates to my life because we are all affected by global warming and this will become more prevalent as it progresses. I make an effort to compost and recycle and support causes that help the environment because we only have one earth and need to respect it.

The most challenging part of the process for this piece was applying the right amount of ink on the linoleum—too much will spread out and look messy whereas too little will leave blank splotches. Of these prints I am most proud of the one I added color to because the reflection of the green environment in the rear windshield and rear view mirrors really helps my message that a healthy environment is something that we are moving away from. This work illustrates my strength as an artist in the solidity of the inked parts of the prints and representation of my statement as a whole. It shows weakness in lack of detail in the colored print.