Woodblock Prints

Woodblock Prints

I went through a phase circa 1996 where I got into doing animal woodblock prints.

For anyone who doesn't know what woodblock prints are, it's carving the non-image part of a picture out of a block of wood like a rubber stamp.  You apply ink to the wood and then either press the wood onto paper, or place the paper onto the wood.  (Depends on the project)  You can make as many prints as you like as long as the printing block is cared for.

I've included a photograph of the Wolf printing block to help illustrate the concept.
(The sun/moon was created by leaving a knot in the wood intact & following the grain of wood for background.  You can see the result in the print.)








And here are the prints!  I've included the animal totem symbology with each piece.
(registered members can view without copyright watermarks here.)




Wolf :
guardianship, loyalty, spirit






Bear :
awakening potentials within, resourcefulness, discrimination






Cat :
decisiveness, independence, opportunistic






Eagle :
creativity, courage, healing

(the first woodblock I ever made ... yep, this is where it started)





Fox :
cunning, shapeshifting, self-sufficiency






Moose :
camouflage, mystical powers, stamina

(poor moosey didn't turn out so well)





Owl :
perception, silent wisdom, nocturnal

(this print has always been my personal favorite)





Rabbit :
agility, fertility, enterprising






Racoon :
dexterity, disguise, curiosity






Squirrel :
active energy, sociability, preparedness