This is the space for our members to discuss and share their creative projects, ranging from written works to drawings, photography, and even craft projects such as knitting and woodworking. Self promotion is welcome (websites where we can view and/or purchase your work). Please do continue to preface if content is NSFW and be sure to properly spoiler/link such content. Those of you who’d like to post future Creative Endeavors Threads, please be sure to check out the Sign-Up Sheets and act accordingly.

A couple of weeks into the new year, and I partly inadvertently pulled the trigger on a creative resolution I’d meant to save for much later. Picked up a starter printmaking kit on impulse from Michaels and worked a couple of designs into the soft linoleum (which, I was happy to learn, was not only biodegradable but also probably compostable, though I’ll have to figure out how that works around my neck of the woods, as I’m not sure how the authorities would count it). One was a landscape misfire which I’ll probably turn into something else, the other was a face that I’m calling a “self-portrait” but which looks slightly more than nothing like me.

The combination of a couple of arts-related gift cards from Christmas and my existing saturation in art supplies (and limited space) meant that I had little else to use them on except print materials, and so I got in some linoleum from Blick. Turns out it’s a lot harder than the soft (Speedball) variety I got from Michaels, and I wound up jabbing my thumb pretty good while trying to force impressions into the material. Picked up some gloves so am back at it, but this is likely to take a lot longer than the earlier images. Good exercise (I hope). I’m still a little agnostic on the utility of block prints in general given that we have printers and such, but the combination of solidity and subtlety that even the most basic beginner linocut can suggest is already starting to intrigue.

Today’s header image is, of course, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, perhaps the most iconic print in the world and made by the Japanese master Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) from a woodcut around 1830. Whenever I read about copper plates or lithography, I’m amazed at the level of work and preparation that goes into them, but seeing such a detailed and finely featured work as the result of a woodcut leaves me lost for words and it’s downright inspiring to know that the form’s capable of such indelible and long-lasting results.

How’s your work going?