Kristin Etmund

Kristen Etmund

I view artistic expression as a way to reach beyond my life and connect with ideas, people and places that are otherwise outside my experience. I choose subjects that present an opportunity to expand my knowledge and, at times, provide an anchor to my distant cultural roots, both European and Asian. I've always been strongly influenced by mythology and folktales, which are so rich in imagery and are an enduring link to different times, beliefs and ways of life.

I chose relief printmaking as a medium because it is a rare combination of craft and art. Though time-consuming, I find the methodical processes of carving and printing, which have remained much the same for centuries, rewarding and enjoyable. Even though the creation of a woodblock print requires much planning and thought, the finished piece always has an element of surprise.

About Woodblock Printing

I carve my designs in Shina plywood (a material imported from Japan & made from a tree in the Linden family), creating up to four different blocks for each print. Each color in the final print is carved into different block, which are then printed in separate stages. After inking each block, I use a baren (a traditional Japanese tool) and a wooden spoon to apply pressure to the back of the paper to print the image. Registration marks have to be carefully carved into the different blocks to ensure that each stage of the printing process lines up properly. My work is printed on Japanese papers with soy-based inks.

Kristen graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2003. She currently resides in Olympia, Washington with her husband.