Wednesday, December 2, 2009

"BURNT UMBER"


This simple woodblock print is in honor, memory, and respect of Harlan Hubbard - Kentucky shantyboat captain & artist who used simple tools in his woodcuts & printing.
http://www.amazon.com/Woodcuts-Harlan-Hubbard/dp/0813118794/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259726116&sr=8-5

Image: 2-1/4" x 4-1/4".
Block: pine - craft plaque. I'm amazed at how it holds up to detail.
Ink: Burnt Umber gouache.
Paper: Japanese Rice Hosho. (I bought a tablet many years ago at Michaels Arts)
Method: Japanese moku hanga, but tried something different by trying a simple tool as perhaps Harlan Hubbard might have used, brushing ink to the block with a small shoe brush. It worked better than I thought with only losing a few hairs and only cost a couple dollars from CVS pharmacy.
Printed by pressing block to paper.

My accompanying waka/tanka poem:

Late autumn maple
bare to the high noon sun--
burnt umber cattails
slowly sway with the lake,
a koi sinks in meditation.

©Bette Norcross Wapner (b'oki)

2 comments:

Cecil said...

Beautiful, Bette. A wonderful way to honor Hubbarb. I just recently watched the episode of Kentucky Life about him. Great stuff. :)

Bette Norcross Wappner -- said...

Thank you, CBL. When I create these new, simple prints in the comfort of my home with electric light source and modern conveniences, I know my efforts are not anywhere near how Hubbard did his woodcuts. But I'm grateful for the inspiration he's given me. Glad you got to see his way of Kentucky Life on t.v.