“It’s just a little letterpress project…”
It is, perhaps, paradoxical: how someone who strives for such clarity in his professional work is himself so enigmatic. But how else would a Ph.D. physicist wind up as a graphic designer, practicing the book arts and printmaking, via photography, after running an engineering instrumentation company for over a decade?
Naturally drawn to contradictions, I like to consider the energy that comes from combining opposites: digital and analog, versatility and integrity, curiosity and clarity. I exist in the liminal spaces within contradictions. This idea is reflected in the personal work I create.
The examples on these pages explore my personal projects in photography, printmaking, and book arts.
Art Projects
Little Letterpress Projects
Using an analog printing press—and all its cumbersome limitations—can be a refreshing break from the digital world. Little letterpress projects always bring a smile.
Isolation
A look at the photography which became the photogravure, the gallery video that became a fine press book—Paul Nylander’s “Isolation.”
Midnight Farmhouse
A look at the “Midnight Farmhouse” photogravure print as a consideration of the question, ”What is a photograph these days?”
The Windmill
This old farm windmill, long since dismantled, served as an anchor for my budding photography explorations.
Photogravure: Moss Landing
Through a series of steps involving dozens of variables, I transform a digital photograph into a continuous-tone black-and-white image, which is then used in a photographic process for platemaking to create the intaglio printing plate.
Key Book
“Key” is a limited edition letterpress + photcopy concertina book, designed to gradually reveal the key to life.
Printing Techniques: Letterpress
Letterpress is my transition to printmaking, and forms the basis of much of my design thinking. Here I share some early work.
Printing Techniques: Intaglio
“Alike” and “Tinker Thinker” are one-of-a-kind artist books, handmade books created to express an idea… or try a technique.
Printing Techniques: Screen Printing
Screen printing allows for the creation of larger items—both prints and apparel—relatively quickly and in a wide range of colors. Let the creative mind wander!
One-of-a-Kind Artist Books
“Alike” and “Tinker Thinker” are one-of-a-kind artist books, handmade books created to express an idea… or try a technique.
