One of the many experiences afforded to attendees at the Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida were the numerous artists showcasing their ocean-themed creations. Nestled among the dive gear and water sports exhibitors, guests were able to see and purchase outstanding works by local artists. Sculptures, paintings and photographs adorned their booths in traditional and contemporary styles.
The ArtCatStudio exhibit at the Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo featured the unique linocuts of artist Patricia Knight. A multi-media artist who works in acrylic, watercolor, pen & ink and printmaking, Patricia also creates unique pieces in bead-work, fine metal jewelry making, paper sculpture, photography and digital art. Patricia has also written and published her own comic book as well as promoting and selling her work at various conventions and fairs.
Linocut is a printmaking technique that is derived from ancient woodcut printing. In Linocut, a sheet of linoleum is used for a relief surface. A design is cut into the surface of the linoleum with a sharp knife, chisel or inscribing tool, with the raised, or uncarved surface areas representing a reversal (mirror image) of the parts to show printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller and then pressed onto the receiving canvas, paper or fabric surface.
Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were noted for their works in this medium. Picasso demonstrated that while multi-color Linocuts can be created by using a different block for each color as in a woodcut, these prints can also be achieved using a single piece of linoleum in what is called the ‘reductive‘ print method.
Patricia explains that essentially,
“After each successive color is imprinted onto the paper, (the artist) then cleans the lino plate and cuts away what will not be imprinted for the next applied color.”
This allows the artist to add color and depth to the work.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and a Master’s degree in Art Education, Patricia shares her knowledge as an art teacher. She firmly believes that:
“Teaching art has made me a better artist since a teacher must experiment with a great many more mediums than normal artists as well as researching the history of those techniques.“
Patricia’s unique and richly detailed artwork can be found at artcatstudio.com.
