Halley’s Comet Medicine

In 1910, in preparation of Halley’s Comet passing Earth, people feared the end of times and entrepreneurs got creative. You could gain protection from “The Evil Eye in the Sky” and its chem trails by purchasing a special gas mask. Try this Haitian voodoo medicine branded as “An Elixir for Escaping the Wrath of the Heavens.” A couple of enterprising capitalists in Texas were arrested for marketing sugar pills as a comet cure-all, only to be released by police when a mob of faithful customers demanded their freedom.

On May 19, 1910, when Halley’s Comet crossed the sky, people quarantined in their sealed homes, packed churches, or watched from rooftops and were convinced they could smell burning. A California man nailed himself to a cross. Life went on. The comet would return for a viewing in 1986, and, if you’re looking forward to another doomsday, will return again in 2061.

Kite

I’ve included each stage of the process for this print. I snapped a photo of a guy flying a kite the other day and liked something about the diagonal composition. Then I drew a version of it with Procreate. Digital drawing can help with developing linocuts because you can draw in white just as easily as with black, unlike working with graphite and erasers. Next I carved it in reverse on a lino block, and printed an edition by press in the studio.

Atelier Kitchen Print Biennale

I’m currently showing a print in Épinal, France, as my contribution to the Atelier Kitchen Print Biennale. I’m accompanied by a diverse collection of printmaking artists from all over the world, featuring a range of techniques including engraving, mezzotint, screen print, lithography, and relief.

Covid Conversations

I will be contributing work to the upcoming group show at Tashkeel about this year’s pandemic. View more information and exhibition catalogue here.