Exploring Fabius Township and St. Joseph County, Michigan, with side trips all over this Great Lakes state

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Xylography

This is Islet, a beautiful woodblock print by Kalamazoo artist Mary Brodbeck from her Lake Superior series and xylography is the extra special name for the technique of woodblock printing.  Mary studied in Japan with Yoshisuke Funasaka in 1998 as a recipient of a fellowship from the Japanese government, whose mission was to “help keep traditional Japanese arts alive throughout the world.”

For more information on the very ancient art, visit these Wikipedia articles -- Woodblock Printing and xylography.

And more extraordinary explorations of X-words, visit ABC Wednesday.
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10 comments:

  1. Jay at The Depp EffectDecember 29, 2010 at 4:45 PM

    What a pretty, serene picture! And I had no idea that the Japanese government would grant fellowships to non Japanese people just to keep their arts alive - how very forward thinking! I like it. :)

    On behalf of the team, thanks for taking part in ABC Wednesday this week!

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  2. Sylvia KDecember 29, 2010 at 5:03 PM

    Such a very interesting post for the day! Love the picture! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a very Happy New Year!

    Sylvia

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  3. Roger Owen GreenDecember 29, 2010 at 5:32 PM

    Xcellent piece of art!
    ABC Wednesday team

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  4. Su-sieee! MacDecember 29, 2010 at 7:20 PM

    Hi Helen Mac! I'm Su-sieee! Mac. Just had to say that. :-)

    I didn't know that was what woodblock printing is called. Now you have me wondering about xeroxing and x-raying, other x-types of copying original stuff.

    Happy New Year!

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  5. Tumblewords:December 29, 2010 at 7:34 PM

    Delightfully fresh look at woodblock. Wishing you a Happy New Year!!

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  6. Oakland Daily PhotoDecember 30, 2010 at 1:57 AM

    This is a beautiful image and you are lucky to own it. Love woodcuts.

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  7. mrsnesbittDecember 30, 2010 at 6:10 AM

    Well I say it every Wednesday - but it is so true. We learn so much each Wednesday! I love this aspect of our fun time with ABC Wednesday. A lovely print and yes, cultural art should be maintained.
    Thanks so much,
    Denise ABC Team

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  8. UnknownDecember 30, 2010 at 6:51 AM

    Thanks everyone! I am indeed lucky to have this image to look at every day. This is how we get our Lake Superior fix in the winter!

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  9. NankaDecember 30, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    This is a wonderful scene. It reminds me of Woodblock printing done on Saree's, scarf's and other cloth in India. It is usually motifs and not scenes that are block printed here. A lovely and unique post for the X- word.

    Have a great day and all Good Wishes for the New Year!!

    My 'X' is HERE

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  10. GattinaJanuary 2, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    Do you think it was the work of my cat, lol ?

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