From the archives...

I recently rediscovered this print from 2013-- it's a variation on some prints ("The Hard Way" and "The Known Universe") that were included in my MFA thesis show. But this particular one has never seen the light of day. Reminds me of a venn diagram, and there is something intriguing about the overlapping of the circles.

Untitled
woodblocks on Japanese paper
16x12" edition of 4
2013

Purple Process

I've been feeling like my circle prints were reaching an end, and that I needed to go out with an ambitious final series. I very rarely print in color, and I very rarely make editions. However reduction prints are so uniquely time consuming (and self destructive) that I felt I needed to do an edition.

The woodblocks are 10" in diameter and are printed in 4 colors. I printed the first layer and then cut away each successive layer to reveal the color underneath. The layers cannot be reprinted, as each new series of marks changes the surface. At first I thought of the marks as gathering clouds or a storm front, but the layers of color now remind me of a small galaxy or the city lights at night.

Purple on the press and purple on my feet...my studio shoes matched the very vibrant layer 2.

Tiny Little Process

Some sketchbook pages related to my Tiny Little circles series of woodblock prints. 

Sketchbook circles

I've kept a sketchbook for as long as I can remember. The practice intensified in undergrad and my sketchbooks became vital and dynamic extensions of my work. My studio practice changed in grad school and I started using softcover moleskins (they come in a 3 pack) as a sketchbook and notebook. I'd record critiques, observations, research, sketches and layouts. The sketchbook became less precious and more of a deposit of ideas and notes.

I've continued to use the moleskins post-grad school and they are currently filled with lots and lots of circles. The above pages are related to my horizon line series of woodblocks.

All of the circles...

(actually not all of the circles...just some of the circles)

Tiny Little (series)

Pairs of circles in conversation with each other. From the on-going series of Tiny Little circles (the woodblocks are only 3-4" in diameter). Printed on vintage navigational charts from the 1920s

Unique impressions, 8.75 x 11" each

Tiny Little

I finally printed some of the woodblocks I've been working on these past few months. I spent several hours up to my elbows in ink and circles, listening to bootleg Rolling Stones albums from the 1970s. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday...

Tiny Little*
woodblocks on vintage paper
7 x 9.5"

(*each circle is only 4" in diameter)

copyright Kate Castelli 2014

Progress/Process

Begin (again)

Cut. Shellac. Carve. Ink. Print. Repeat...The possibilities of a stack of circles.

The impossibility of February

The Frequency of Falling
woodblock on vintage paper, unique impression
7 x 9.5"

copyright Kate Castelli 2014

Corner of a Circle

The second circular woodblock in a new series I am working on...horizon (lines).

Corner of a Circle
woodblock on vintage paper, unique impression
7.5 x 10.25"

copyright Kate Castelli 2014

Kate Castelli at Twelve Chairs

Kate Castelli: Prints & Drawings

25 January -- 26 April 2014

opening reception Thursday, 20 February, 5-7pm

12Stairs Gallery at Twelve Chairs Boston

581 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118
http://www.twelvechairsboston.com/

(above)
The Known Universe III
woodblock on 19th century book cover, unique impression
10 x 12.25"

Horizon (line)

The Defeated

Beyond surprise, my ribs start up from the ground.
After I had sunk, the waters went down.
The horizon I was making for runs through my eyes.
It has woven its simple nest among my bones.

W.S. Merwin, The Moving Target (1963)

:::

Off Kilter 
woodblock on vintage paper, unique impression
7.125 x 10.5"

copyright Kate Castelli 2014

Printing (finally)

I finally got the chance to print the woodblocks I have been working on over the last few months. I spent a few hours listening to the Rolling Stones, proofing 5 circles, and getting my hands dirty. Not a bad way to spend a cold, grey Friday.

The Frequency of Falling

Slowly getting back into the studio. I've been musing in sketchbooks, cutting some woodblocks, sourcing new and different ephemera to print on, and figuring out what is next...

(a printing day is order...soon)

Intersections

The first day of November is grey and blustery. It makes for a good day in the studio with a sketchbook, intersections, and a wood block.

The Boston Printmakers / Arches Student Print Show

My collaborative woodblock print with Caroline Board was selected to be in the...

2013 Arches Student Print Exhibition
Sponsored by Arches Paper Company and The Boston Printmakers

The Boston University 808 Gallery, Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA

October 27 through December 30, 2013, Opening reception: Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Boston Printmakers is pleased to announce the 8th Arches Student Print Exhibition. The student exhibition, sponsored by the Arches Paper Company, will be shown in conjunction with The Boston Printmakers’ North American Print Biennial at the Boston University 808 Gallery, Boston.The first seven Arches Student Exhibitions, held biannually starting in 1999, were a resounding success with participation by 20 - 25 New England art schools, colleges and university printmaking departments.

On the line

Hanging prints to dry on an impromptu line strung across the studio.

Progress

September and the beginning of the academic calendar always feels like New Years to me. A clean slate, a fresh start, back to school and back to teaching.

After a long hiatus in the studio (and a tumultuous summer) I've started some new woodblocks. Rainy, grey days make good studio days.

You can now follow me on Instagram http://instagram.com/katecastelli

Printing

I've returned to one of my first loves this semester-- relief printing. I'm using a set of tools given to my father by his father. They took an entire afternoon to sharpen by hand. I've put them to good use cutting woodblocks, one of which I recently printed in ochre.