No photography, no computers. Dale Chihuly created his series of woodcuts through an entirely human-powered and thoroughly ancient process. Woodcuts are the oldest known method of printmaking, with origins noted as far back as the sixth century. Chihuly used traditional printmaking methods, but infused his editions of this early art form with brilliant contemporary color.
How to translate Chihuly's rapid-fire passion for drawing into the ancient technique of woodcuts? First, Chihuly drew a series of sketches on individual blocks of wood. Next, he completed color studies, experimenting until he and master printer Sheila Coppola found the perfect combination for each image. She then carved Chihuly's marks into the wood blocks with a chisel. Finally, Coppola hand-pulled Italian watercolor paper through her printing press over each wood block, making one pass for each color of the print. Published in editions of fifty, every print is signed in graphite by Chihuly.
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