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Kate Lanxner - Artist and Teacher

kate lanxnerKate Lanxner

An American and former Geneva resident, an art teacher for more than 25 years, and a published illustrator. She currently teaches in Montgomery County, Md. outside of Washington D.C. in the U.S.

After graduating from art school, she traveled to Paris and took part in a printmaking program at Atelier Contrepoint (formerly Atelier 17) in color etching and engraving, directed by the late Stanley William Hayter. She has not only taken to making art, but sharing her knowledge through The HeARTful Blog.

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Galerie 123 interior1

Linocut by a student from Kate's Linocut Printmaking Course

by Kate Lanxner, The HeARTful Blog 

Welcome to HeARTful Blog. We have a second part here, to add to the first installment Linocut Printmaking blog, that will give you, our art-loving readers, practical hands-on details. 
 
Step 1: What is the process for creating a linocut (blockprint)?
In my own experience, it is the “learning by doing” that brings any artist to the next level. It’s true, whether you are a beginner or just getting re-acquainted with the medium. Upon joining a class or workshop, or setting up your own studio space, with the materials listed below, you would be all set. 
 
Blockprinting ink is available in jars or tubes, and it is much more water-soluble than acrylic paint. My advice is not to try to use acrylic paint in blockprinting. Problematic! It can ruin a brayer: the hand-roller that is used in the process.
 
Teaming up at a workshop or class with a like-minded friend is a good way to go. This is what we do in my classes. There is much to be gained from sharing technique ideas, showing your work to others and having a camaraderie.
 
Remember, all your effort will be worth it, once you have your design printed for the first time (called a “proof”), you can make multiples!
 

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by Kate Lanxner, The HeARTful Blog 

If this is your first visit to my blogs, I aim to provide ideas, resources and inspiration on making art and appreciating art in Switzerland. I currently teach art in the Washington, D.C. region since 2016, but I lived in the Geneva region for a total of nearly nine years. I taught art in group classes and camps, as well as individual lessons.
 
My focus lately for teaching and my own work, is on Linocut printmaking, otherwise known as “blockprinting.” It can also fall under the general heading of “relief printmaking.” I still teach one-on-one and for group classes and workshops, and with the exception of offering Zoom classes during the pandemic, I have chosen to stick with in-person teaching. I invite readers of this blog to visit and “like” the online gallery I have set up on Instagram of largely my students’ artwork in recent years: @katesstudentsart_
 
In recent times most people have switched to linoleum or similar surfaces that are easier to carve than wood! It is astounding when you look at the Old Masters, to see the detail they were able to achieve. Check out the woodcut by Albrecht Durer below (German, from the 1500’s). You can read more on the site www.mymodernmet.com (from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC). Durer was the artist largely responsible for bringing the Italian Renaissance printmaking to Germany after two of his trips there.
 

Galerie 123 interior1

by Kate Lanxner, The HeARTful Blog

Welcome back to the HeARTful Blog. In this article we will focus on a gallery that many readers would surely enjoy visiting, in the popular Eaux-Vives neighborhood, not far from the Jet d’Eau. Maybe you have just relocated to Geneva, or maybe you are a long-time resident, a tourist, or just love art~ this is a must-see. Love to travel? Love art history? Love anything vintage?

Galerie 123 has one of the most extensive collections of vintage travel posters in the world. It has been a fixture here since 1983. I passed by it every day on my walk home to an apartment when living in Geneva. With colorful vintage posters gracing the windows, it beckoned me inside to take a look. The displayed art changes regularly and is quite eye-catching.(see photos). The gallery’s website also offers a virtual tour as well as a huge amount of information on the art, the history, printing methods, and styles.

Only originals are offered for sale. There is also a selection of vintage enameled signs, and advertising cartons, from the early part of the 20th century.
The gallery is a great place to treat yourself to a leisurely stroll through history. It’s inspiring to artists and art lovers. In my own experience I found the staff to be welcoming and knowledgeable.

Kookaburra Kate Lanxner

Pileated Woodpecker by Kate Lanxner with Caran d'Ache Supracolor pencils

by Kate Lanxner, The HeARTful Blog

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Quote by spiritual writer Thomas Merton (from the newsletter of “Manor and Maker” an art retreat center in a chateau in the Dordogne, France)

With a good drawing pencil, a paintbrush, or a pottery tool in hand, even before we have made a mark, we’ve made the decision to express what is in our hearts and imaginations in a tactile way. It’s such a relief and so satisfying, if we work in our heads most of the day - often we don’t have much choice - analyzing, typing, sorting, planning, judging, editing… 9-5 at least, or for some people, 24/7 off and on in a continuous loop!

In this blog, I will most likely be concentrating on art-related subjects in and around Switzerland. But firstly, I am going to draw attention to a quintessential Swiss company - Caran d’Ache - which offers supreme quality which can enhance your results, to both professional and amateur artists, and to children in schools. It has been around since 1915.

Caran d’Ache colored pencils have enriched and been part of my life since 2010. I can’t remember where I first encountered their “Supracolor Soft” watercolor pencils, but I have never looked back! These pencils most usually come in a box set and last for years. When I was growing up, my mother bought us Caran d'Ache crayons, which were a step above the quintessentially American brand that is widely recognized: Crayola.