Trying Linocut at the Arts Fest 🫘

Every year my city puts on a big arts festival for local artists to gather and sell their wares. There’s music & food trucks & vendor tents that line the whole riverfront for a weekend. This year I went with my partner to enjoy all the visual and olfactory treats. ✨

It’s always so inspiring to see what other artists have been busy making.

Art in the Open Air ✦

What made this year special was a city-funded tent set-up where folks were invited to sit and carve any design into a small rubber block. I was immediately delighted. I have been dreaming of trying linocut for so long. (The only thing stopping me has been my low-buy/no-buy stance on acquiring new craft supplies, but more on that another day.)

It was so satisfying to cut out my design! I sketched a little moth orchid onto the block, then used the cutting tool to glide across my outlines.

The final piece was then inked and pressed into a large drop-cloth canvas that was turned into a community art project display.

Making After Seeing = Release ✦

One thing I felt especially grateful for was this unexpected outlet for creativity after being surrounded by tent after tent of amazing artists. It felt so nice to have a place to sit and make something of my own right there and participate in some community art. I hope they bring that back next year. 🤎

Keeping One for the Studio ✦

They let me keep my carved block, so I took it home to make prints. I love that it can be re-printed again and again. If you’re interested, I’ll be adding these orchid prints to my shop soon! And I definitely want to do more linocut projects in the future.

Update: I talk more about how I love creating in community in my October Favorites 🫘

Update: I did another linocut project for our wedding invitations Linocut Love Bird Envelopes 🌱

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