194: LEON LOUGHRIDGE (B. 1952) COLOR REDUCTION WOODBLOCK

Leon Loughridge (Born 1952)
Rolling Hills 1/18 (Late 20th/Early 21st Century)
More than just a color woodcut print, this detailed image composed using multiple textures and colors is signed by the artist in pencil below the image lower right, titled lower center and numbered lower left.

The traditional, most often seen, color woodblock prints are made by carving multiple blocks that, when inked separately and pressed to paper one color at a time, create the final image, a difficult enough process. With reduction color woodcut prints a single block is carved in relief to create the image and then the colors are printed in reverse order, the darkest color being printed first and the lightest color being printed last, while also carving away and altering the face of the block with each color printed. This requires a high degree of skill and confidence on the part of the artist who must know instinctually how carving away part of the printing block in between colors will ultimately appear in ink on paper.

Leon Loughridge explained in an interview with Western Art & Architecture Magazine how when creating an image, he's continually carving and changing the block along with the colors; always assessing and evaluating as he goes, adding more and more detail by reducing and changing the block, continually pressing inks; more and more color, sometimes implementing 15 to 20 color runs - and carvings, in order to create a single image. As he cuts away portions of the block, he's committed to the image that results. Knowing how it will play out and trusting his skills are paramount to creating what it is he wants to capture or convey.

Other masters of the reduction woodcut process include Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Käthe Kollwitz.
Image measures 7.5 x 7.5 with a framed size of 17.5 x 17.5 inches.
Very fine, clean condition, mint to near mint, the full untrimmed sheet, not laid down, no damage, stain, puncture or repair; framed to archival standards in acid free mounts.
Provenance: A Leawood, Kansas corporate collection.
$250 - $350