I'm only doing one holiday market this year

And honestly, I’m so stoked about it.

I’ve been feeling really burnt out on printmaking lately.

Well, not all printmaking, but definitely the stuff I’ve been doing for the past few years. You know, the cute little linocut prints with a nice phrase or a growth metaphor. Yeah, I’m kind of over those.

A couple weeks ago, I sat down to restock my prints. I made a list, pulled out the old blocks, set up my press, and then I just had an overwhelming sense of UGH. I realized how much I hated the idea of printing the same blocks again and again and again.

So instead of printing the same old stuff, I pulled out all the new prints I’ve made this year. I took a step back to admire them and just... sighed with relief.

Because I’ve been learning something new.

This is the year I’ve learned letterpress. And part of learning something new is experimenting, testing boundaries, slamming up against guard rails of what is possible.

And it has been SO FUN.

The only downside is that I don’t have many prints that feel market ready.

This whole year, I’ve been making art that’s just for me. It’s not for markets, or for social media, or for an audience. I’m just making whatever comes to mind. Kind of like what I did with linocut prints four years ago (and some of those prints STILL have never sold).

 Oh yeah, and I’ve been making stuff for clients. Like so much client work. And that has been really challenging and exciting and rewarding in a whole different way.

So as we head into the holiday season, I’m glad to know that this year has been one of growth and evolution. I’m ending the year with new skills, a ton of new experiences, and more confidence than ever as a printmaker.

I’m just not going to be showing those things off at every holiday market I possibly can this year.

So anyway, the one holiday market will be at the Center for Book Arts on Friday December 5th. Come see the new stuff I’ve been making (and some old stuff) in the studio where I’ve been making most of it. Click below for more info and to RSVP.