Mussels In The Creek, handprinted linocut print, © 2022 Patrick Norton

Mussels in the Creek

Freshwater mussels are one of the key animal species in many American waterways. The three-spined sticklebacks depicted here help transport and distribute the larvae, the mussels filter the water, and the otters feed upon them. And they are beautiful! These are Anodonta, a genus that has a wide distribution in the Americas and Eurasia, but the illustration is based on Anodonta oregonensis, the "Oregon floater", but the taxonomy of the genus is very much in dispute based on genetic testing. The old way of determining species based on shell shape is apparently not reliable, so for the time being they are just called "floaters" or "Anodonta".

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 greeting card, 5" X 7" block printed on 8"x10" acid-free paper. Cranfield Caligo Safe Wash oil-based ink. With cellophane sleeve.


Mussels in the Creek, handprinted linocut, © 2023 Patrick Norton