"Under The Oaks"

How do you make art to commemorate a historic work that has disappeared?

In 1876, Edward Mitchell Bannister became the first known Black artist to win a national award, for his landscape painting “Under the Oaks.” It was purchased and has since gone missing, with no photographic evidence of it. It is possibly his greatest work, and has now become his greatest mystery.

My carved linocut print depicts the back of an old framed canvas, signed “E.M. Bannister 76.” It will be exhibited at Rhode Island College’s Bannister Gallery this fall.

“Under The Oaks.” Linocut. 2025. 12x16”

Tutto Passa

This linocut print illustrates a solitary figure fishing from a sailboat. The clouds above, waves on the surface, and fish below all move around him, but he is still and patient. "Tutto Passa," the Italian phrase meaning “Everything Passes,” is woven into the water below him. It reminds us to enjoy the moment, be persistent, and embrace the transient nature of our experiences.

RAK Art Fest Linocut Stamp

The 13th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival will be at Al Hamra Heritage Village from 31 January to 28 February 2025. If you visit, you can hand-print my linocuts onto your own postcard.

I began by visiting the emirate and photographing the museums, mountains, and historical village by the water. The focal point of my design is the fort, a recognizable landmark and where the festival will open next Friday. To the left is the vintage Land Rover displayed by the souk and visitor center. On the right, there are three figures following the path by the fort walls. The elderly figure represents the past, adult is the present, and the child is the future: a nod to the history of the site while maintaining an active role in the community today and beyond, with events like the art festival.

My carved blocks will be available around the village during the festival, with ink pads and postcards. Printing all five in order will complete the design to create your own linocut print.

Dubai Linocut Printmaking Workshop

I hosted a linocut printmaking workshop at Hay Designs in Dubai this week. I was lucky to meet and work with talented designers from all over the world. Over the two-hour class, I introduced the historic technique and instructed drawing, carving, and printing techniques. It was a fun event and I always look forward to the opportunity to share my favorite process with other interested creatives.

Screen Prints

I recently had a chance to spend some time in the studio making some new screen prints before demonstrating the technique to my class. I like the designs, based on some of my old sketches, so for the next bit of free time I have, I would like to get back in there and explore more color combinations.