Solstice Bear, Winter Solstice handprinted linocut print, © 2019 Patrick Norton

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

The bear (an American black bear (Ursus americanus)) is in her den for the winter. The curved lines in the design and the position of the sun are meant to represent the maximum height of the sun at noon at the Winter Solstice when the day length is shortest and the sun is lowest in the sky.

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.