Whispering Ridge by Gordon Louis Mortensen

Whispering Ridge by Gordon Louis Mortensen

Whispering Ridge

Gordon Louis Mortensen

Title

Whispering Ridge

 
Artist
Year
1988  
Technique
reduction color woodcut printed in 28 colors with 23 press runs 
Image Size
17 1/4 x 24" image size 
Signature
pencil, lower right 
Edition Size
115 of 130  
Annotations
titled and dated in pencil 
Reference
 
Paper
ivory Torinoko wove 
State
published 
Publisher
artist 
Inventory ID
GOMO212 
Price
SOLD
Description

Gordon Mortensen commented on the process he uses: "Only one woodblock is used. On it an image is drawn in India ink. Before the first color is printed, any areas that are to remain unprinted (white or the color of the paper) are cut away from the surface of the block. Then an oil base ink is used to print the first color on all of the sheets of paper that are to be used for the edition and proofs.

After the first printing the block is again cut, removing any surface of the block that is to remain the first color in the finished print. After each subsequent color is printed, the block is cut, the process continues until the print is finished and most of the surface of the block is cut away."

For "Whispering Ridge" Mortensen used 28 colors, accomplished with 23 separate press runs.

Whispering Ridge is located in Utah near Eden and Paradise in the Wasatch Range of mountains. This area is known for its outdoor activities, especially skiing. Mortensen shows the secluded area in the spring, with the Lupin, Penstemon, prickly lettuce and other wildflowers in bloom, the mountains in the background.