This month, I did 100 linocut prints of my version of a dancer. Here is the first print I have ever made.
This series is called “Joyous Dancer”. I used speedball ink with Strathmore series 300 lightweight printmaking paper. It is signed and number in the corner.
Since visiting the MoMa in NYC this summer, I was particularly inspired by Matisse’s Dancers. I also had some earrings I picked up in Miami which portray a dancer. Here is a picture of me, the earrings, and the painting.
When I first encountered this painting, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It seemed too simplistic. This is a mistake that I always make with every artist that I am inspired by - “Oh, this looks easy” and then it never is. From Rothko, to Monet, and finally to Matisse, I decided to challenge myself to a new medium and a new style of art.
I also find that the kind of art I make is pretty depressing - such as my performance art “Depression 1” or the next series I’m working on, which is about mass surveillance. I didn’t want to send depressing pieces to people who wanted to purchase humankind candles, or my friends. So I thought about pieces that were joyful and fun.
Before I start a new piece, I always do a lot of research - usually in the form of youtube videos or ancient art blogs. I also took inspiration from Picasso’s Reduction Linocut technique, which I didn’t end up using, but it was a cool video anyways.
