LEAFBONES
PRINTMAKING CO.
Unique, hand-carved prints, made in the Eastern Sierra, CA
What is a print?
This particular type of printmaking is called “relief” printmaking. This term encompasses linocut, woodblock, and stamp making. To create the piece, the artist carves away material, and the remaining surface - now raised above the carved portions - is what will be pressed onto paper.
This process begins with image research and sketches. After drafting the final illustration, it is transferred to the print block to carve. The block is a softer, slightly rubbery/plastic material. This keeps sharp lines, and is easy to cut. It also makes cleaning the blocks straightforward.
Once the print is fully carved, ink is rolled across the surface using a “brayer”. The ink sticks to the flat, uncarved surface, so that once a paper is pressed on top (using a flat tool called a “baren”) the final print is revealed. Each print is hand inked and pressed, so that the final artwork is unique.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Michaela was born and raised in California, and enjoyed a childhood full of creative exploration. Raised by a graphic designer and an engineer, it was natural for her to study technical illustration, science, and printmaking while at university in Portland, Oregon.
Working primarily as a printmaker, Michaela’s work delves into the unique beauty of native plants and animals, where she seeks to understand the quiet magic found in the natural world. Rooted in a love for exploration and conservation, her style is inspired by the concatenation of art and science.
With her art, she aims to inspire a deeper reverence for the natural world, inviting viewers to look through a lens of curiosity and respect for the world around us. She makes her home in the Eastern Sierra, exploring the breathtaking landscape with her partner Miles and their dog Ollie.
Crystal Crag triumph - photo by Miles Britton