You wonder how that deep impression is made into the gorgeous cotton paper? Well, its denfinitley ‘Not Digital’! This is the way things were printed from the early 1500’s to around the 1970s. It’s a lengthy process that is no longer practiced for “normal” printing. For me it starts with a pencil sketch that you might see me complete in one of our local Calgary coffee houses as I’m sipping on an espresso. Then about a year or so later I review my sketchbooks and decide on the best ones to redraw, using computer tools (Illustrator vector drawing software). From the resulting file I get an engraving made. There are not many places left who do this because it requires an immense investment in equipment to do this work environmentally responsibly. Once I get the deep relief engraving, I mount it into a steel frame called a chase, into my 3000 pound steel and cast iron printing press patented in 1887. This style of press was only made possible due to the advances in cast iron fabrication made during the steam engine era.

letterpress print making

If you see something you appreciate in my work, I’d love to hear from you. I see art as an opportunity to have a conversation. With you, and anyone who feels my work expresses their sentiments. I create this work to share – if you see me sketching at one of our local coffee houses here in Calgary, feel free to talk to me! Go ahead and click on the Letterpress Art Insider menu item, my confidential monthly message to you – where you find out about about upcoming prints (and how to get them at great savings), background about my work and process. Oh, and feel free to click on the picture above, to get a more detailed look at the print quality and impression! I arranged the original sketch, the copper engraving and the final print together to show you how the work comes about. But whatever your question or interest – feel free to ask!