Nestbuilding Time, Western Brook Lamprey, handprinted linocut print, © 2019 Patrick Norton

Western brook lampreys (Lampetra richardsoni) are an interesting species of jawless (and in fact boneless- having only cartilage) fish. Unlike the much larger Pacific lamprey, they do not migrate to the ocean after hatching and return to their natal streams to spawn, but spend their entire lives in freshwater, burrowing into the sediment to filter-feed there until maturity, when they cease feeding, find a mate, build a nest made of gravel, spawn, and die. I have encountered them while surveying for freshwater mussels, and once have seen them building a nest by arranging pebble using their sucker mouths.

This image began with a drawing which I transfer to a piece of artist's linoleum (a version of the flooring material). I cut away the white areas with gouges (like small wood chisels but concave) leaving only the areas and lines intended to be black. I then ink the block with a roller and place in a forme, which is a sort of frame that holds the block in proper alignment with the paper to be printed on. I insert the paper or cardstock against the registration tabs, felt blankets are laid on top, and I roll the whole set through my press. The result is a reversed (R-L image of the carved block.

Handprinted linocut, 5" X 7" print area on 8"x10" acid-free paper. Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash oil-based ink. With cellophane sleeve.

This image began with a drawing which I transfer to a piece of artist's linoleum (a version of the flooring material). I cut away the white areas with gouges (like small wood chisels but concave) leaving only the areas and lines intended to be black. I then ink the block with a roller and place in a forme, which is a sort of frame that holds the block in proper alignment with the paper to be printed on. I insert the paper or cardstock against the registration tabs, felt blankets are laid on top, and I roll the whole set through my press. The result is a reversed (R-L image of the carved block.