Three small prints from a single block set. After printing, each was cut out and folded into a fancy tissue, then enclosed in a gift envelope. When we visited Japan, I presented these as small gifts to everyone who was kind to us — the reactions were usually a bit hilarious — I’m not too sure that nude woodcuts are the ‘usual’ fare, even in Japan! 🙂
"Jessica", "Elizabeth & Rod", "Mia" woodblock prints -- this is what each 11 x 16 inch sheet looked like before the individual prints were cut out. This particular sheet was left uncut, but was signed and numbered 24/24 after the image above was scanned.
The 16 blocks carved for the prints. Each block is 1/4" plywood with a cherry veneer and each is 12 x 16 inches with registration notches (kento) carved into the lower right corner and just left of center on each block. The blocks are very flexible, so I hold them absolutely flat on my printing table using a special vacuum plenum I made for the purpose.
"Elizabeth & Rod" October 4, 2004, 9.3 x 4 inches, woodblock print from 16 cherry plywood blocks, dry pigment in methyl cellulose paste on Iwano Ichibei hosho, 24 sheets printed
"Jessica" October 4, 2004, 9.3 x 4 inches, woodblock print from 16 cherry plywood blocks, dry pigment in methyl cellulose paste on Iwano Ichibei hosho, 24 sheets printed
"Mia" October 4, 2004, 9.3 x 4 inches, woodblock print from 16 cherry plywood blocks, dry pigment in methyl cellulose paste on Iwano Ichibei hosho, 24 sheets printed