sandersblack

I have always experienced a great sense of fulfillment from creating things. Art is an outlet that allows me to satisfy my creative need. I've chosen printmaking because I feel drawn to the process. I enjoy the process because it presents a challenge. Solid blocks of wood, metal plates, and stone, are strong materials often resistant to alteration. When using these materials, I need to work with the medium. I must use specific techniques and tools in order to successfully alter the matrix. Because of the nature of printmaking, the materials and the process always shine through in the completed print. The viewer can see the the grain of the wood and the marks of the carving tools, as well as the impression of the block in the paper. I value these characteristics.
My subject matter comes from the world around me. Nature, people, architecture, plants, animals, and society are all things that are inspiring to me. Most recently, I've found a great deal of inspiration in animals. How they look, their intelligence, the way they live and behave. I'm interested in the differences, as well as the similarities, between animals and humans and the feelings and symbolism that we associate with these creatures.
My art usually begins with a vague idea; an image, subject, or feeling in my mind. I'll begin to develop that idea. Once I have a starting point, I'll begin to research all possible aspects of my future piece. If at all possible, I'll track down physical references. In the next phase, I make sketches, sometimes many, other times only a few. If I'm working on a complex piece, I will scan the sketches into my computer and further develop the composition. If the finished piece is to be small, I usually transfer the image to the matrix that I'm using. If it's going to be a large image, I'll draw directly on the matrix. My ideas are malleable. Once I begin altering the the matrix, it is common for the composition to continue to change and develop.
I strive for my imagery to be bold, energetic, and eye catching, with subject matter that grabs the viewer's attention. I make to make use of vibrant colors and texture in my work that is expressive of the subject matter and myself.