Last night at our monthly gathering, members of the Emerald Curtain Collective came together for an engaging workshop in linocut stamp-carving, taught by a local artist and founding member of ECC, Elizabeth Fox.
We learned how artists begin by sketching a design, transfer it in mirror-image to a linoleum block, then carve away the negative space so that the remaining raised surface becomes our “stamp.” After carving the block with gouges and knives, we applied ink across the surface and pressed it onto paper or fabric, bringing each image to life. The evening was hands-on, collaborative and full of discovery, as participants experimented with textures, shapes, and different print-making techniques.
Linocut printing has a surprisingly rich history: although the material was originally invented in the mid-1800s for flooring, artists by the early 1900s began exploring its potential as a relief print medium. Because linoleum lacks wood grain and is easier to carve, it became popular in schools and modern art print movements, championed by pioneers like Claude Flight.
The basic steps we covered last night included: 1) designing your image in positive/negative contrast, 2) transferring the image onto the block, 3) carefully carving away what you don’t want printed, 4) inking the remaining surface, and 5) pressing it onto paper or fabric. Each print becomes one of a kind, and watching the first pull from the block is always the magic moment!
We invite you to join the Collective and help amplify awareness of the Oregon Coast’s unique ecosystems through art. Whether you’re an experienced maker or entirely new to the arts and crafting, our monthly sessions are open, inclusive and fun. Come contribute your creativity, make meaningful connections and help us bring conservation and visual storytelling together—one stamp at a time. Visit our website to learn more about upcoming events and how to become a part of the effort.
