My Biggest Carved Blocks Yet!!

[Reposted from our old website blog on June 10, 2025]

Lately I've been wanting to test my carving skills on some larger projects, so I decided to try out a very dynamic flower... the Wisteria. These delicate purple bunches undulating in the wind often seem to pop out in unexpected places, like high up in a tree on a hike, or in massive swaying bundles on the side of the highway. Our across-the-street neighbors had a big bush that I would look forward to watching bloom every Spring as a child, and each time I see one near or far I'm moved to take a moment and stare in awe.

So far I've printed them on three colors of paper: purple (of course), a natural with mulberry leaves embedded in it, and a blue-green slate with banana leaves. I played around with some frames at my house to see what looked best, and I think I like the purple in a wood frame and the other two black frames. I'm not sure that I'll print more of the slate ones after these test prints because I'm not sure that they read as 'wisteria' as clearly as on the other two. But honestly, that's part of the fun of printmaking - to be able to experiment over and over.

Then just a few days after finishing the wisteria, which was my largest block to date, I was laying in bed next to an open window on one of our wonderful cool Chattanooga spring nights, and from one of the tall trees in our backyard I hear a very loud and impressive owl call. Not knowing exactly which kind it was, I opened the Merlin Bird App (which is free and you definitely need it if you ever get curious about bird calls around you!) and was super pleased to learn it was a Barred Owl. As soon as I looked up a photo and noticed all the feather variations I knew he would be a perfect fellow to carve next... which would be even bigger than the wisteria.

It took about two weeks of very slowly chipping away at it... but here he is! The glorious Barred Owl standing tall on 9x12" Thai Kozo paper..

I have to tell you, I'm especially proud of the talons. I acutely studied multiple references to be sure to represent them as strongly as I could. And don't even get me started on the six different kinds of feathers he has.. what a fun challenge!

Both of these prints are available in the Shop and the Barred Owl has also been spotted on our brand new Organic Cotton Tote Bags.

I hope you love this silent but soulful guy as much as I do :)