Moonville Print Shop

Printed handbags ready to be sewn
Zipper bag with a dandelion print and floral fabric lining
Zipper bag with a Great Blue Heron print
Great Blue Heron printed on paper side by side with the linoleum block
Lupin jigsaw multicolor print on paper
Tote bag with 4 different mushroom prints
Zipper bag with a mushroom forrest print
Mushroom forrest print with true pigments Reclaimed Earth paint
Series of mushroom prints on cards
Poppy print on paper
Raccoon Print on paper
Series of woodblocks for a show in March 2020
Snail print on paper
Sewing a zipper onto a Luna moth zipper bag
Print of a mushroom forrest and a print of thistles on true pigments Reclaimed Earth paint
Zipper bag with a thistle print

ABOUT

Nature inspired

My work is inspired by the natural world and almost exclusively features plants and animals native to Southeast Ohio — where I live with my family. I am completely self-taught and printmaking started as a way for me to portray my love for the biodiversity of my area. I will never stop being amazed by the sheer number of plants native to this part of the world and I hope that my work can help others appreciate it and care for it too.

Process

Making block prints is labor intensive and time consuming. I do everything by hand which makes every print unique. I draw my designs by hand, carve the blocks with wood carving tools given to me by my father, ink the block, and print the work using a small printing press made by The Portable Printing Press Company. I sew all of my textiles myself with an old sewing machine.

Environmentally friendly

I am an artist, but more importantly I am a naturalist. I strive to make my business as environmentally friendly as possible. I use upcycled fabric for my handmade bags, wall hangings, and banners. Card and print sleeves are made from compostable materials. The mat board that I use is made from 100% recycled materials. Shipping materials are also either upcycled or made from recycled materials and are compostable. I am also working to incorporate True Pigments’ Reclaimed Earth Colors (oil paint made from pigments harvested from Acid Mine Drainage pollution cleaned from streams in Southeast Ohio) into my work.

Materials

I use battleship gray artist linoleum for most of my blocks. Sometimes I use a high-quality plywood. Most of the ink that I use is called "Drive By Black." It's an oil-based relief printing ink designed for use on textiles. It is made by Gamblin Artist Colors in collaboration with Drive By Press. I also use True Pigments Reclaimed Earth Colors (oil paint) mixed with Cranfield Colors ink extender for some of my colorful prints. I use Speedball brayers and a press from The Portable Printing Press Company. All of the fabric and thread that I use for bags and wall hangings is purchased second hand.