Mike Lyon

Painting Drawing Printmaking Japanese Woodblock Printing Furniture Lighting

Aspen Grove 77×42 inch woodcut plus pigment application video

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You asked about how I mix and apply pigment… When printing very pale colors, I generally add pigment dispersion or dry pigment to rice paste or methyl cellulose, mix well, and then dab that onto the damp block and brush out. For more saturated colors, I mix a substantial amount of dry pigment into a […]

Leaves — Pulling the final impression of first 77×42 inch woodcut

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This morning I pulled the final impressions of my first 77×42 inch woodblock print using my new press… Not bad for a first attempt, actually, but I believe I can greatly improve with more practice! Registration appears to be pretty close to dead-on, thanks to paper maker Iwano Ichibei’s having rocked the paper mold lengthwise […]

Computer Carving Machine operational!

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The Large Press installation is almost done now! This week I’m cutting the final parts — the vacuum plenum for the press itself… This is a somewhat complicated task it turns out, but I believe I’ve got it figured out. I’ve successfully moved my ShopBot CNC machine from the 3rd to the 1st floor… After […]

McNeese National Works On Paper Exhibition

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The McNeese National Works On Paper exhibition of 40 prints was selected by juror Annette DiMeo Carlozzi from over 800 entries. My 30 x 21 inch woodblock print “Anthony” received the “Bank One Purchase Award” of $1,200, entered the permanent collection of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and was reproduced on the cover […]

Gift prints for Japan visit

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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 […]