Collecting mokuhanga has never been easier. You no longer need to visit galleries as often; you can purchase prints online from anywhere in the world, all from the comfort of your own home. But you’d be doing yourself a disservice to stop there. Seeing prints in person at galleries is a wonderful experience — it allows you to get up close to the work, to see what your potential investment looks like under the lights, and to speak with the people who work in the galleries and collections, who can help guide you toward the right decision.

One such gallery is in Tokyo and New York and has a long history of showcasing wonderful contemporary prints — from mokuhanga and aquatint to lithography and other mediums. The Tolman Collection Tokyo, located in the Shibadaimon district of Minato, Tokyo, has been operating for over 50 years and enjoys a strong reputation both in Japan and around the world.

In this episode of The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with Allison Tolman of The Tolman Collection Tokyo. We discuss how the gallery began — from the hope and a dream of Allison’s parents, Mary and Norman Tolman, who built a life and a    business in a new country, to their friendships with many of the most important printmakers of their time. Allison shares why prints remain so vital today, emphasizing their democratic nature. She also discusses the differences between contemporary printmakers in Japan and those in the West, as well as the unique experiences of selling prints in Tokyo versus at The Tolman Collection in New York.

Please follow The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known. 

The Tolman Collection - Tokyo, New York

Machida City of Graphic Arts - is a print gallery located in Machida City, Tokyo, Japan. More info can be found, here. 

Kitaoka Fumio (1918-2007) - was a painter who moved onto mokuhanga later in life. Kitaoka was a sōsaku hanga printmaker whose works touched on anti-war themes and Japanese society, emigres and the working class. 

Tsukiji Fish Market (1988) 

Tadashige Ono (1909-1990) - was a socially conscience printmaker of Post-War Japan. Tadashige's early works were influenced by the west with German Expressionism and later in his career, as his personal politics began to change, Tadashige;'s prints began to focus on an industrial Japan. 

House (Hiroshima) (1957)

Tōkō Shinoda (1913-2021) - was a calligrapher and painter in Japan. Shinoda saw herself as an artist who combined painting and calligraphy together defying categorization. More information can be found, here from The Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. 

Sound (ca 1990) lithograph on paper 17 5/8" h x 23 3/8" w

Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) -  was a mokuhanga printmaker based in Japan. Karhu lived in Japan for most of his life after studying with Tetsuo Yamada and Stanton Macdonald-Wright. HIs themes were of his home city of Kyoto, Japan. More information can be found, here. 

Black Robe (1976) 

shin hanga - is a style of Japanese woodblock printmaking that emerged in the early 20th century, marking the end of the nishiki-e period. Originating around 1915 under the direction of Watanabe Shōzaburō (1885-1962), the art form responded to the foreign demand for "traditional" Japanese imagery. Shin hanga artists focused on motifs like castles, bridges, famous landscapes, and bamboo forests. The style was initiated when Watanabe discovered Austrian artist Fritz Capelari (1884-1950) and commissioned him to design prints for Watanabe's budding printing house. This collaboration led to the evolution of shin hanga into a distinctive new style of Japanese woodblock printing. The shin hanga movement thrived until its inevitable decline after the Second World War (1939-1945).

Shōzaburō Watanabe (1885-1962) - was one of the most important print publishers in Japan in the early 20th Century. His business acumen and desire to preserve the ukiyo-e tradition were incredibly influential for the artists and collectors in Japan and those around the world. Watanabe influenced other publishers, but his work in the genre is unparalleled. The shin-hanga (new print) movement is Watanabe’s, collecting some of the best printers, carvers and designers to work for him. A great article by The Japan Times in 2022 discusses a touring exhibition of Watanabe’s work called Shin Hanga: New Prints of Japan, which can be found here. 

Kawamura Sayaka - is a mokuhanga printmaker based in Japan. Her work has an ethereal quality of mystery and fantasy. More information can be found on her Instagram. 

Bon Voyage IV (2019) 27.56 " × 27.56 "

AP - stands for Artist’s Proof. When a printmaker is almost ready to print an edition, they will create a few prints that serve as proofs of the final image before the edition is printed.

Gotō Hidehiko (b.1953) - is a mokuhanga printmaker and tool maker based in Japan. He makes and teaches seminars about the construction of the mokuhanga tool, the baren. 

Sound Of The Waves (2016) 15" × 12"

Zōjōji Daimon - is a Buddhist temple in Minato, Tokyo of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism

David Rockefeller (1915-2017) - was an American economist and investment banker who led Chase Manhattan Corporation as its chairman and CEO. From 2004 until his passing in 2017, he was the oldest living member of the Rockefeller family. The youngest of five sons, he was the child of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, and the grandson of John D. Rockefeller and Laura Spelman Rockefeller. 

Hasegawa Yuichi (1945-2025) - was a woodblock printmaker from Aizu in Fukushima Prefecture. He was from a family of lacquerware makers. Hasegawa incorporated lacquer resin and metallic paints into his reduction woodblocks, giving them a distinctive texture and gleam. Deeply influenced by Zen and the natural world, he aimed to capture the power and splendor of nature in his prints. 

Night Sky No. 5 (2000)

Seiko Kawachi - is a mokuhanga printmaker and painter based in Japan. His work is known for its rich use of color and dynamic energy. A longtime printmaking instructor at Tama Art University, he experienced a turning point in his middle age when he began exploring the influence of Hokusai. Using contemporary materials, his large, powerful prints capture the movement and vitality of the natural world.

Object: The Flying: Ki (The Flying: Introduction) (1985) mokuhanga and intaglio, 65" × 36"

Tama Art University - located in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the country’s leading institutions for art and design education. Founded in 1935, it offers programs in fine arts, design, architecture, and media arts, fostering both traditional and contemporary approaches to creativity. Known for its strong emphasis on experimentation and individual expression, Tama has produced many influential artists, designers, and educators who have shaped Japan’s modern art scene. More info, here. 

© Popular Wheat Productions

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 

 

For everyone listening to today’s episode—especially if you’re a mokuhanga printmaker—you can probably trace your first step into the art form back to a single person, someone who sparked your journey into mokuhanga, however it has evolved over time.

On this episode of The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with that person for me: Elizabeth Forrest. Elizabeth was my first mokuhanga teacher, the one who encouraged me to study the practice and explore its technical depths.

Elizabeth is an accomplished printmaker with a long and varied career. We discuss her discovery of mokuhanga here in Toronto, her experiences living and working in Japan, and how she has adapted her art through life changes and culture shock. She also shares her thoughts on the importance of residencies, her love of washi, and the ways she sources her materials today.

Please follow The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Elizabeth Forrest : website Facebook, Instagram

Ontario College of Art & Design University : has been a mainstay of art and design education in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada since 1876. More information, here. 

Akira Kurosaki (1937-2019) - was one of the most influential woodblock print artists of the modern era. His work, while seemingly abstract, moved people with its vibrant colour and powerful composition. He was a teacher and invented the “Disc Baren,” which is a great baren to begin your mokuhanga journey with. At the 2021 Mokuhanga Conference in Nara, Japan there was a tribute exhibit of his life works. Azusa Gallery has a nice selection of his work, here.

Kyoto Seika University - located in Kyoto, Japan, is a leading private institution specializing in art and design education. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as painting, sculpture, graphic design, and manga. Known for its rigorous curriculum, Kyoto Seika emphasizes both practical skills and creative expression. With a strong tradition of nurturing talented artists and designers, the university fosters a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and artistic growth.

sizing paper - at times mokuhanga printmakers will size their paper. Size is made from water, animal glue (rabbit, horse), and alum. What the size does is keep the pigments the artist uses from “bleeding” into the outer edges of the paper. There are many recipes of size, here is one that artist Walter J. Phillips used.

© Popular Wheat Productions

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know. 

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

For many artists, an art career takes many twists and turns—an adventure shaped by different mediums, jobs, and ways of sustaining creative work  while at the same time, educating oneself with the histories of your chosen path. 

On this episode of The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with printmaker Charles Spitzack. We talk about his discovery of mokuhanga and how it connects to his broader printmaking practice. Charles shares his early experiences making mokuhanga, his teaching methods, and how his understanding of the medium developed through a Western American perspective. He also speaks about his time at the Mokuhanga Project Space, and his thoughts on the differences between oil-based and water-based mokuhanga.

Please follow The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Charles Spitzack - website, Instagram

Seattle Print Arts - is a printmaking association based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It maintains a membership and is dedicated to the exchange of knowledge related to various printmaking practices. More info can be found, here. 

High Point Center for Printmaking -is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It is dedicated to increasing the understanding of printmaking and operates a co-op, gallery, and educational programs. More info can be found, here. 

Cornish College of the Arts - is an independent art college located in Seattle, Washington, United States. Its programs emphasize experimentation and critical thinking. More info can be found, here. 

Mokuhanga (木版画) - is a Japanese word meaning "wood" and "print." Traditionally, it refers to a relief printing method using woodblocks, water, natural handmade papers, and water-based pigments. With the rise of the sōsaku hanga (creative print) movement in the early to mid 20th century, mokuhanga expanded to include works made with Western oil pigments as well.

Today, mokuhanga can be difficult to define, as many artists experiment with new approaches while others remain dedicated to traditional water-based methods. This balance between innovation and tradition shows that mokuhanga is limitless, continually evolving while still grounded in its past.

sōsaku-hanga - or creative prints, is a style of printmaking which is predominantly, although not exclusively, prints made by one person. It started in the early twentieth century in Japan, in the same period as the shin-hanga movement. The artist designs, carves, and prints their own works. The designs, especially in the early days, may seem rudimentary but the creation of self-made prints was a breakthrough for printmakers moving away from where only a select group of carvers, printers and publishers created woodblock prints. 

Stephen Hazel (1934-20120 - was a painter and printmaker based in the Pacific Northwest. He created works on paper, and educated upon the subject. More info can be found, here. 

Beautiful Display 10: Beauties of Chinatown (1977) 24" x 17 11/16"

Katheleen Rabel - is an American printmaker, painter and sculptor. More info can be found, here. 

Penedo Alto (sōsaku hanga) 50″ x 39″

Hideo Hagiwara (1913-2007) - was a mokuhanga printmaker who came of age during the sōsaku hanga period of the mid 20th Century in Japan. He studied printmaking with Un'ichi Hiratsuka (1896-1997). Hagiwara made prints that were expressive of the self and abstract. He taught at Oregon State University in 1967.

 

Lady No. 6 (1975) 24.75" x 18.25" 

kentō - is the registration system used by printmakers in order to line up the colour woodblocks with your key block, or outline block, carved first.  

floating kentō - is like the traditional kentō registration technique but is carved on an "L" shaped piece of wood, and not onto the wood block. 

monotype print - is a unique print created from an image painted or drawn on a smooth surface, such as glass or metal, and then transferred to paper. Unlike most printmaking methods, where multiple copies of the same image can be produced, a monotype typically has a single, one-of-a-kind image. It's called a "mono" type because it is not part of an edition like traditional prints (e.g., lithographs, etchings), where you can make multiple copies. 

Mike Lyon  -  is an American artist. His medium has varied throughout his career such as "square tiles," or "pixels," through to making mokuhanga, monoprinting, and machine-assisted etching, drawing and mezzotint. Mike Lyon also has a large woodblock print collection which he has curated for the public, here. More information about his work can be found, here. Mike's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here. 

Grass 4 (2010) 77" x 22"

Naoko Matsubara - is a Japanese/Canadian contemporary artist, and sculptor, who lives and works in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.  She has focused much of her artistic life on making mokuhanga and has gained critical acclaim for it.  Naoko Matsubara's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here. 

Conducting (2004) 22.05" × 15.59"

Katsutoshi Yuasa - is a Japanese contemporary artist, and sculptor, who works predominantly in mokuhanga. He has  produced an incredible mount of work. Katsu's interview with the Unfinished Print can be found, here. 

On The Dawn of Night and Fog (2025) 39.37" in × 78.74"

Antonio Frasconi (1919-2013) - was a Urugyuan printmaker who lived and worked in the United States. He cerated coloured woodcuts and was an educator and author. Frasconi's themes could be political in nature. More info can be found, here. 

Cows (1955) 7 1/2" x 12 15/16"

The Arts and Crafts Movement in America - flourished from the late 19th to early 20th century, emphasizing simplicity of design, and the use of natural materials as a response to industrial mass production. Inspired by the ideals of John Ruskin (1819-1900) and William Morris (1834-1896) in Britain, the movement in the United States was closely tied to architecture, furniture making, and decorative arts, promoting honesty and a functional beauty.  There was a link with social reform, criticizing modernity and industry and fostering communities of makers across the country. In Japan this folk movement was explored in the mingei movement of the early 20th Century. 

William S. Rice (1873-1963) - was a painter, educator and woodblock artist from the United States. Having moved to California early in his life, Rice made landscape prints and paintings of California. At the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exhibition, Rice had a chance to see Japanese mokuhanga in person and was influence by those prints in his woodcuts. 

The Windy Summit (1925) 9" x 12"

Arthur Wesley Dow (1857-1922) - was an American printmaker who was greatly influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e. He wrote a book on the subject of printmaking called Composition which was published in 1905.    Lily (Ipswich Prints x 1901) 5½" x 4⅛"   Toledo Museum Shin Hanga Exhibitions (1930 & 1936) - were held at the Toledo Museum of Fine Arts in the United States. These two exhibitions played an important role in introducing Japanese woodblock prints to the American market. They were curated by J. Arthur MacLean and Dorothy L. Blair. Artist Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) had traveled to the United States in the 1920s, helping to set the stage for these exhibitions. More info can be found, here.    Walter J. Phillips (1884–1963) - was a British-Canadian printmaker who began his career as a commercial artist. After moving to Canada, he produced etchings, watercolors, and color woodcuts. Influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e, Phillips’s prints offer a distinctive view of Canada in the early to mid-20th century.My interview with Sophie Lavoie of The Muse/Lake Of The Woods/Douglas Family Arts Centre about the life and times of Walter J. Phillips can be found, here.      Warren's Landing, Lake Winnipeg (1931) 6.30" × 9.45"   Kathleen Hargrave - is a printmaker and kiln formed glass maker. Kathleen explored various printmaking methods but uses mokuhanga in her practice. Kathleen's mokuhanga is abstract and uses colour in a fantastic way. More info can be found, here.      Resilience 5   Pratt Fine Arts Center - is a nonprofit arts educator in Seattle, Washington. It offers classes and instruction on various artistic expressions such as blacksmithing, glass, jewelry, paintings and printmaking. More info can be found, here.     Mokuhanga Project Space - is a mokuhanga residency located in Walla Walla, Washington, USA. It was established in 2016 and is led by printmaker Keiko Hara. My interview with Keiko Hara and Benjamin Selby of MPS can be found, here. More info can be found, here.    Shoichi Kitamura - is a woodblock carver and printmaker based in Kyoto, Japan. Shoichi has been involved in MI Lab through his demonstrations on carving. More info can be found, here.    Utagawa Kuniyoshi - from The Series Bravery Matched With The Twelve Zodiac Signs. A Modern Reproduction 4.13" x 11.15" (2017) printed and carved by Shoichi Kitamura   April Vollmer - is an established artist who works predominantly in mokuhanga. Her book Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop is one of the most authoritative books on the subject and has influenced many mokuhanga artists. April's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here.     It Happened To Me  (1995) 11" x 14"   Andrew Stone - is an American mokuhanga printmaker based in Florence, Italy. He is also a baren maker. The baren is a mokuhanga specific tool. Andrew's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here.    Tutto Bene? (2024)   Davidson Galleries - is a gallery situated in Seattle, Washington. Opening in 1973 Davidson Galleries focus on works on paper. In their stable of artists is Charles Spitzack and Andy Farkas. More info can be found, here.    SGC International - the Southern Graphics Council is a member supported printmaking organization which supports printmakers throughout the world. It is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, United States. More info can be found, here.    Karen Kunc - is an American printmaker and Professor Emeritus at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and is based in Nebraska. Karen Kunc works in various artistic and printmaking styles but has worked in mokuhanga for many years. My interview with Karen Kunc for The Unfinished Print can be found, here. More information can be found on her website, here.      Weight of Air (2018) 12" x 24" Woodcut, etching, pochoir, watercolor   Tollman Collection  - is a well known Japanese art gallery located in Daimon, Tokyo, Japan and New York City, NY. More information can be found, here.    Ballinglen - is an arts foundation based in Ballycastle, Co Mayo, Ireland. The groups aim is to "enhance cultural awareness," of North County Mayo. This is done via fellowships, education, exhibitions and workshops. More info can be found, here.    Pomegranate - is a company which sells items such as jigsaw puzzles, holiday cards, etc using different types of artists  and their work in these pieces. More info can be found, here.    Gustave Baumann (1881-1971) - was a colour woodcut printmaker, and painter of German descent who made his life in the United States. More info can be found, here.      Marigolds (1960) colour woodcut 12 7/8" x 12 7/8"

© Popular Wheat Productions

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Intro music by Oscar Peterson, I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)  from Night Train (1963)

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know. 

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

 

 

         

 

 

If you're a creative person, going abroad, exploring the world, living in new surroundings, seeing new things can add a new dimension to your work. It can inspire you to see your practice in a new light. The influences you gather over time, especially through travel, can only enrich what you create.

On this episode of The Unfinished Print, a mokuhanga podcast, I speak with printmaker Kay Watanabe. Kay has spent many years splitting her time between Australia and Japan, and in doing so, she’s developed her mokuhanga and other print work across two distinct cultural landscapes. We discuss what it means to create in those two different spaces under different circumstances and how Kay navigates this duality, we also discuss her love of washi, the way she develops her prints, and how mokuhanga fits into her broader artistic process.

Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Kay Watanabe - website Instagram

Gallery Camellia - is an art gallery in the historic Okuno Building in Ginza, Tokyo, Japan. 

Munakata Shikō (志功棟方) - (1903-1975) arguably one of the most famous modern printmakers; Shikō is renowned for his prints of women, animals, the supernatural and Buddhist deities. He made his prints with an esoteric fervour where his philosophies about mokuhanga were just as interesting as his print work. 

Helen Frankenthaler (1928–2011) was a prominent American abstract expressionist painter known for her role in the Color Field painting movement. Her innovative technique involved staining unprimed canvas with thinned oil paint, creating a distinctive luminous effect. "Mountains and Sea" (1952) is a notable example of her influential work. Frankenthaler's contributions have left a lasting impact on postwar American art. Frankenthaler began to make woodcut prints in 1973 and was influenced by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858).  More info about her prints can be found at  the Frankenthaler Foundation, here.

Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950) - a watercolorist, oil painter, and woodblock printmaker. Is associated with the resurgence of the woodblock print in Japan, and in the West. It was his early relationship with Watanabe Shōzaburō, having his first seven prints printed by the Shōzaburō atelier. This experience made Hiroshi believe that he could hire his own carvers and printers and produce woodblock prints, which he did in 1925. 

Gary Shinfield - is a painter and printmaker based in Australia. 

Seraphina Martin - is a printmaker based in Australia. More info can be found here, at Sydney Printmakers. 

Terry McKenna  is a mokuhanga printmaker and teacher residing in Karuizawa, Japan. He received guidance in the art form from Richard Steiner, a prominent mokuhanga printmaker based in Kyoto. Terry established the Karuizawa Mokuhanga School, a renowned residency dedicated to mokuhanga education, located in Karuizawa, Japan.  Further details about Terry and his school can be found, here. Additionally, you can listen to Terry's interview with The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, here and Richard Steiner's interview here. 

mokulito - a type of lithography which incorporated woodblock. Artist Danielle Creenaune uses mokulito in her work. She has a fine detailed explanation on its uses, here.  

International Mokuhanga Conference - is a bi-yearly conference dedicated to mokuhanga which started in 2011 by the International Mokuhanga Association. Each conference is themed. The latest conference was in 2021, delayed a year because of the pandemic. More information can be found, here.

monotype print - is a unique print created from an image painted or drawn on a smooth surface, such as glass or metal, and then transferred to paper. Unlike most printmaking methods, where multiple copies of the same image can be produced, a monotype typically has a single, one-of-a-kind image. It's called a "mono" type because it is not part of an edition like traditional prints (e.g., lithographs, etchings), where you can make multiple copies. 

Antoni Tàpies - (1923-2012) was a Catalan painter, sculptor, and art theorist renowned for his expressive and textural work that bridged the gap between abstract expressionism and material-based art.

© Popular Wheat Productions

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know.

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

 

 

Positivity is at the heart of any kind of success. A desire to succeed, paired with a positive mindset, good friends, and hard work, can create momentum and growth in any direction you choose.

On this episode of The Unfinished Print, a Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with Michael Verne, a gallerist specializing in Japanese prints and paintings. Michael shares his approach to success, the power of positivity in business, and how he navigates the ups and downs of running a small, focused gallery.

Through rich stories, both his own and those of the artists he represents, Michael offers insight into how storytelling shapes his business, sustains its growth, and supports educating people about mokuhanga and Japanese art.

Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Michael Verne and The Verne Collection - website

The Metropolitan Museum of Art - is the largest art museum in North and South America. It began to be assembled by John Jay (1817-1894) in the late 19th century. Incorporated in 1870, the museum has collected many essential pieces, such as the works of Henri Matisse (1869-1954) and Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). For more information about the MET, you can find it here.

Daniel Kelly - is a visual artist and printmaker based in Kyoto, Japan. Daniel Kelly has shown all over the world, and is many museum collections as well. More information can be found, here.

 

Morning Calm (1983) 14.5" x 20.5"

Tomikichirō Tokuriki (1902-2000) - was a Kyoto based mokuhanga printmaker and teacher. His work touched on many themes and styles. From “creative prints” or sōsaku hanga in Japanese, and his publisher/printer prints, or shin hanga prints of traditional Japanese landscapes. 

Dance of Shimazu (1950's) 

Sanford Smith and Works On Paper Exhibit - Sanford Smith (1939-2024) was one of the more important New York City art promoters of his time. Founding Sanford L. Smith + Associates, Sanford Smith created many art fairs such as the Works On Paper show, now known as Art On Paper which focused on works on paper such as prints, watercolours and photographs. More information can be found, here.  

Willy Loman - is a fictional character in the novel Death of as Salesman by Arthur Miller, first published in 1949.

Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) - was a stencil and dyeing printmaker (katazome 型染め) from Japan. His works were specifically Biblical in nature. His work was also in stained glass which can be found in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. 

Eve (1965) 

John Carroll University - is a private Jesuit University located in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, USA and founded in 1886. 

New Heights Podcast - is a podcast hosted by American football players Jason and Travis Kelce. It is produced by Michael Verne's son Brian Verne who is the CEO of Wave Sports and Entertainment.

The Armoury Show - is an annual international art fair held in New York City, primarily focusing on contemporary art by living artists, but also featuring works by 20th-century masters.

Pace Gallery -  is a gallery located in New York City and founded in 1960. Today the gallery is a leader in exhibiting some of the top artists in their media. There are galleries in London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Seoul, Geneva and East Hampton. More information can be found, here.

Joel Stewart - is an American visual artist based in Kyoto, Japan.  Joel works in ceramics, installation, printmaking and mixed media. More information about Joel can be found, here. 

Karatsu (2016) watercolour on paper 30" x 22"

Quiet Elegance - is a book published by the Charles E. Tuttle Company in 1997 written by Betsy Franco and Michael Verne. The Charles E. Tuttle Company is now called simply Tuttle. 

Dan Rather - is an American journalist who was the head anchor of the CBC Evening News from 1981 - 2005. 

Joshua Rome -  is an American mokuhanga printmaker based Vermont after spending many years in Japan. His themes are of landscapes and the human condition. More information can be found, here. 

Mixing Hours (1998)

shibui (渋い) - is a Japanese concept that refers to a subtle, simple, and refined beauty.

Yuko Kimura - is a contemporary printmaker based in California who used etching, aquatint, monotype, indigo dye, and cyanotype on pleated, stitched or twisted paper for her works. Yuko creates process videos on her website so you can see her process of her complex works. More information can be found, here.  

Fusion no. 22 2010 etching and enamel on copper in abaca handmade paper 8" x 6" 

wabi sabi - is a traditional Japanese aesthetic concept that embraces the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, it values natural materials, asymmetry.

Takauchi Seihō (1864 - 1942)-  was a painter of Nihonga. His paintings were famous because of his travels to the West and the influences gathered from that. More information can be found, here. 

Spring and Autumn (left screen) c 1889

Allen Memorial Art Museum - is an art museum located in Oberlin, Ohio and was founded in 1917. 

Katustori Hamanishi -  is a mezzotint artist known for his diptychs , triptychs and quadtychs. More information can be found, here. 

Cosmos Field (2022) 23.75" x 17.75" mezzotint

Shigeki Kuroda - is a visual artist who works in aquatint, mezzotint, drypoint, and etching. For more information about his work can be found, here. 

Mild Breeze (1953) 25.1" x 18.1" etching and aquatint

Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) -  was a mokuhanga printmaker based in Japan. Karhu lived in Japan for most of his life after studying with Tetsuo Yamada and Stanton Macdonald-Wright. HIs themes were of his home city of Kyoto, Japan. More information can be found, here. 

Katsura Moonlight (1982) 15.75" x 11./81"

Tolman Collection  - is a well known Japanese art gallery located in Daimon, Tokyo, Japan. More information can be found, here. 

Toko Shinoda (1913-2021) - was a Japanese visual artist who was made famous for her works in Sumi ink paintings and prints. More information can be found, here. 

Winter Green (1990) ink on paper

Hideo Takeda -  is a Tokyo based graphic illustrator, mokuhanga printmaker, and all around artist who challenges what it means to be an artist in this modern world. More information can be found, here.  

Green (2009) Painting 13" x 9.5"

Sarah Brayer - is a visual artist who is based in Kyoto, Japan. Her works are predominantly poured Japanese paper (washi). Sarah was the first Western artist to work at the Taki paper mill in Echizen. This is where she currently make her paperworks. Sarah have worked continuously in Echizen since 1986 as the only Western artist to do so. Sarah Brayer has also produced mokuhanga in her career. More information can be found, here. 

'

Sea Meets Sky (Japan Blue Series) woodblock monotype, chine colle, 16" x 14"

Cameron Bailey - is a mokuhanga printmaker based in Queens, New York. His mokuhanga technique is in reduction where Cameron creates beautiful and powerful landscapes. More information can be found, here. 

Tempest (2025) 16" x 24" 

Shirō Kasamatsu (1898–1991) was a mokuhanga print designer during the shin-hanga movement of the early 20th century, and later focused on his own mokuhanga printmaking during the sōsaku-hanga period of the 1950's. More information can be found, here. 

Co

Corridor (1960's/1970's) oban 10"x 15"

Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950) - a watercolorist, oil painter, and woodblock printmaker. Is associated with the resurgence of the woodblock print in Japan, and in the West. It was his early relationship with Watanabe Shōzaburō, having his first seven prints printed by the Shōzaburō atelier. This experience made Hiroshi believe that he could hire his own carvers and printers and produce woodblock prints, which he did in 1925. 

The Acropolis At Night (1925) 10.13" x 16.5"

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957), a designer of more than six hundred woodblock prints, is one of the most famous artists of the shin-hanga movement of the early twentieth century. Hasui began his career under the guidance of Kaburaki Kiyokata (1878-1971), joining several artistic societies early on. However, it wasn’t until he joined the Watanabe atelier in 1918 that he began to gain significant recognition. Watanabe Shōzaburō (1885-1962) commissioned Hasui to design landscapes of the Japanese countryside, small towns, and scenes of everyday life. Hasui also worked closely with the carvers and printers to achieve the precise quality he envisioned for his prints.

Mishima River, Mutsu (1919) 14" 9" 

Shibata Zeshin (1807 - 1891) - was a laquer ware painter and print designer during the 19th Century. 

Album of Lacquer Pictures by the Venerable Zeshin (1887) 6.5" x 7" 

Kiyoshi Saitō (1907-1997) - was a Japanese woodblock printmaker and artist who worked in the sōsaku hanga style of mokuhanga. HIs fame outside of Japan was fairly comprehensive with his peak fame being in the 1950’s and 1960’s. For a comprehensive book on his life and times, Saitō Kiyoshi: Graphic Awakening published by The John & Mable Ringling Museum is an excellent source. Can be found, here. Lecture by Dr. Paget about Saitō can be found, here. My interview with Professor Paget can be found, here. 

Otaru, Hokkaido (1948) 18" x 24"

Munakata Shikō (1903-1975) - arguably one of the most famous modern printmakers; Shikō is renowned for his prints of women, animals, the supernatural and Buddhist deities. He made his prints with an esoteric fervour where his philosophies about mokuhanga were just as interesting as his print work. 

Princess Showing Upper Arm (1958) 9" x 7.5"

Sekino Jun'ichirō (1914-1988) - was a mokuhanga printmaker who helped establish the sōsaku hanga, creative print movement in Japan. His themes were of landscapes, animals and the abstract. Sekino exhibited and became a member with Nihon Hanga Kyōkai and studied with Ōnchi Kōshirō (1891-1955) and Maekawa Senpan (1888-1960). 

Cats and There Kittens (1960) 18" x 13"

Katsuyuki Nishijima - is a contemporary mokuhanga printmaker based in Japan who carves and prints his own work. His prints are colourful and focused on the Japanese landscape. More information can be found, here. 

Moon Over Lake 10.25" x 14.75"

Mayumi Oda - is a Buddhist teacher and artist based in Hawai’i. Her artwork has gained international recognition, having traveled worldwide. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Mayumi is an environmental activist and resides and works at Ginger Hill Farm, an eco-retreat on the Big Island of Hawai’i. Explore more about Mayumi Oda’s work, here.

Bell Telephone (1976)  21" x 15" colour screen print 

Nicholas Cladis - is an artist and paper historian who teaches and lives in Iowa. He lived in Echizen from 2014-2020 where he studied how to make washi, taught at the Fukui Prefectural University, as well as being the International liaison for the paper making union. More info can be found on his website, here. You can find Nicholas' episode with The Unfinished Print, here. 

Craig Anczelowtiz - is a mixed media collage artist who splits his time between New York and Japan. Craig's works focus on Japenese themes and nostalgia. More information can be found, here. 

Meiji Beauty #8 (2025) vintage Japanese papers, gouache, plexi, gold leaf, and ink on thick washi 20" x 28" 

© Popular Wheat Productions

Opening and closing musical credit -Next Journey by Robomoque (2023) on Gunn-R-Rotation Records 

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

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If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know.

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

 

 

Making mokuhanga takes dedication. It demands energy, a sense of empowerment, and joy in the process. It’s that passion that pushes you forward, to evolve and mature within the art form.

On this episode of The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with printmaker Andrea Starkey. Andrea is deeply passionate about mokuhanga—the way it feels, the process of creating, and how each print takes her on a personal and creative journey.

We discuss how she expresses herself through mokuhanga, her themes, and her love of nature. We also explore the world of selling prints, and how to navigate being an artist in the age of AI. And as always, we dive into Andrea’s tools, her paper, and how she uses them to create her beautiful work.

Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Andrea Starkey - website, Instagram, Etsy 

Tree No. 43. -  4" x 11" 

renderer - is a system, program, or process that takes data and converts it into a visual or usable format, usually for display on a screen or output in some other way. What it renders and how depends on the content.

reduction printmaking - is a process in printmaking where the printmaker cuts away on a piece of wood, or linoleum. After every carving, the printmaker makes an impression with pigments, beginning with lighter colours, gradually using darker colours. William H. Mays has a fine description of reduction on his website, here. 

Mike Lyon  -  is an American artist. His medium has varied throughout his career such as "square tiles," or "pixels," through to making mokuhanga, monoprinting, and machine-assisted etching, drawing and mezzotint. Mike Lyon also has a large woodblock print collection which he has curated for the public, here. More information about his work can be found, here. Mike's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here. 

Clover - 12" x 12" (2017)

Dick Blick Art Supplies - is an art supply store with various brick and mortar stores throughout the United States, as well as online. Founded in 1911 by Dick Blick in Galesburg, Illinois, BLICK, as it’s more commonly known, sells various types of art supplies, much like Jerry’s Artarama. More info, here.

Sekishu washi - is a traditional Japanese paper from the Iwami region in Shimane Prefecture, with a history spanning around 1300 years and references dating back to the Heian period. Made primarily from mitsumata and gampi plant fibers, it is known for its strength, flexibility, smooth texture, and resistance to damage, making it ideal for printing, calligraphy, and fine stationery. The paper is still crafted using traditional methods such as nagashizuki and tamezuki, which involve screens made of bamboo or Japanese nutmeg and the use of aibika as a natural binder. These time-honored techniques and materials have contributed to the recognition and preservation of Sekishu washi as a significant cultural craft. More information regarding Sekishu washi can be found at Kokei Japan, here. 

Akua - are water-based pigments used in intaglio, mokuhanga, and monotype. 

stair treads - are the horizontal parts of a staircase that you step on as you go up or down. They are the flat surfaces where your feet land. They can also be used in different art forms such as sculpture, prints, and architectural artistic practices. 

kitakata - is a high-quality Japanese washi paper traditionally made in Fukushima Prefecture, using Philippine gampi fibers and sulphite pulp. The gampi provides a natural sheen, smooth texture, and resistance to moisture and insects, while the sulphite pulp adds strength and consistency. Known for its warm tone and moderate absorbency, Kitakata is ideal for bookbinding, mokuhanga, and other types of printmaking. Its surface holds fine details well, making it a favorite among artists for both traditional and contemporary work.

sepia - is a reddish brown colour. Can be found in various pigments. 

Baren Forum - is one of the oldest continuous online communities dedicated to mokuhanga. It serves artists, scholars, and enthusiasts who engage with the medium through both practical and academic approaches. The forum is especially known for its print exchanges, where practitioners share their work based on a shared theme, size, or topic. More information about the Baren Forum and its activities can be found, here. 

Woodblock Dreams - was a mokuhanga block started in 2005 by Annie Bissett, a mokuhanga printmaker based in the United States. Annie's new blog can be found, here. Annie's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here. 

Saitō Kiyoshi (1907-1997) - was a Japanese woodblock printmaker and artist who worked in the sōsaku hanga style of mokuhanga. HIs fame outside of Japan was fairly comprehensive with his peak fame being in the 1950’s and 1960’s. For a comprehensive book on his life and times, Saitō Kiyoshi: Graphic Awakening published by The John & Mable Ringling Museum is an excellent source. Can be found, here. Lecture by Dr. Paget about Saitō can be found, here. My interview with Professor Paget can be found, here. 

Village of Miho - 16.81" × 11.69" (1960)

Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950) - a watercolorist, oil painter, and woodblock printmaker. Is associated with the resurgence of the woodblock print in Japan, and in the West. It was his early relationship with Watanabe Shōzaburō, having his first seven prints printed by the Shōzaburō atelier. This experience made Hiroshi believe that he could hire his own carvers and printers and produce woodblock prints, which he did in 1925. 

Seta Bridge - 10.83" × 15.59" (1933)

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892) was a renowned Japanese woodblock printmaker and one of the last great masters of the ukiyo-e tradition. He is best known for his dramatic and emotionally intense imagery, particularly in series like One Hundred Aspects of the Moon and Thirty-Six Ghosts. Working during a time of cultural upheaval in the Meiji period, Yoshitoshi blended traditional techniques with modern themes, Yoshitoshi is famous as a print designer for his expressive linework, rich colour, and innovations in print design during this period of Japanese history.

Unknown reprint - Date unknown

Echizen - is a region in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, known for its long history of papermaking. The area is home to many paper artisans. One notable figure is Iwano Ichibei. He is a Living National Treasure in papermaking and the ninth generation of his family still making paper today. More information can be found here.in English, and here in Japanese. 

monotype print - is a unique print created from an image painted or drawn on a smooth surface, such as glass or metal, and then transferred to paper. Unlike most printmaking methods, where multiple copies of the same image can be produced, a monotype typically has a single, one-of-a-kind image. It's called a "mono" type because it is not part of an edition like traditional prints (e.g., lithographs, etchings), where you can make multiple copies. 

Okawara washi - is a traditional Japanese paper made in Japan and sold by Awagami Paper. It is typically composed of an even blend of Japanese kozo and Manila hemp, though some versions may also include wood pulp. The paper is known for its strength, flexibility, and subtle texture, making it suitable for printmaking and other fine art applications. While weights may vary, Okawara usually ranges between 50 and 75 gsm.

Dropshipping - is a business model where a seller doesn't keep products in stock, but instead sells products that are shipped directly from a third-party supplier, like a wholesaler or manufacturer, to the customer.

Narcissus no. 4 - 6" x 8" 

© Popular Wheat Productions

Opening and closing musical credit - background noise from Madison Square Park in New York City. 

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know.

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

Mokuhanga is carried by those with a desire to explore the medium to its fullest, to foray into uncharted territory, to educate many, and to draw more people to the art form.

On this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Vladimir Ivaneanu and Soetkin Everaert, co-founders of the Japanese print promotion project Mokuhanga Magic!

We discuss how Mokuhanga Magic! began, exploring the mokuhanga journeys of both Soetkin and Vladimir, dive into the art of collaboration, share stories of their travels to Japan, and reflect on the current state of mokuhanga today.

Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me andrezadorozny@gmail.com

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Mokuhanga Magic! - website

Emil Nolde (1867–1956) was a German-Danish Expressionist known for his bold use of colour, deep interest in spirituality and the human condition. As a printmaker, Nolde was a pioneering figure in early 20th-century German art, producing powerful woodcuts, etchings, and lithographs that often explored biblical themes, folklore, and dramatic human expressions. Despite being banned by the Nazi regime—who labeled his work as "degenerate art"—Nolde continued to create in secret. Nolde's printmaking helped shape the visual language of German Expressionism and influenced generations of artists.

Durchbrechendes Licht (Light Breaking Through), 1950 oil on canvas 68.5 x 88.5 cm

MEXT (Mombukagakusho) Scholarship is a prestigious academic scholarship offered by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to support international students studying in Japan. Established in 1954, it provides funding for various academic levels, including undergraduate, graduate, vocational, and research programs. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and round-trip airfare. Students can apply either through Japanese embassies (Embassy Recommendation) or directly through Japanese universities (University Recommendation). It aims to promote international exchange and has supported over 65,000 students from around the world.

Paul Furneaux  is a Scottish born mokuhanga printmaker and teacher who uses the medium of mokuhanga creating pieces of work that are third dimensional, abstract and sculptural.

Little Loch (Lochin) 47 x 36 cm Variable edition of 10

Nagasawa Art Park (MI Lab) Awaji City - Nagasawa Art Park was an artist-in-residence program located in Awaji City, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It was open for 12 years before evolving into MI Lab in 2012. More info, here. 

Tintin is a fictional character and the protagonist of The Adventures of Tintin, a comic book series created by Belgian cartoonist Hergé (1907-1983) (the pen name of Georges Remi). First appearing in 1929, Tintin is a young Belgian reporter and adventurer who travels the world, often finding himself embroiled in dangerous plots, solving mysteries, and fighting injustice. The series became internationally beloved for its clean graphic style, detailed research, and engaging storytelling, making Tintin one of the most iconic comic book characters of the 20th century.

MI Lab  is a mokuhanga artists residency located in Kawaguchi-ko, near Mount Fuji. More info can be found, here. 

manga is a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels that encompasses a wide range of genres and themes, appealing to audiences of all ages. Typically published in black and white, manga is known for its distinctive art style, expressive characters, and cinematic storytelling. It is often serialized in magazines before being collected into volumes called tankōbon. Manga covers everything from action, romance, and fantasy to slice-of-life, horror, and science fiction. It has deep cultural roots in Japan but has gained massive popularity worldwide, influencing global comic art and animation, and serving as the foundation for many anime adaptations.

hanmoto system  is the Edo Period (1603-1868) collaboration system of making woodblock prints in Japan. The system was about using, carvers, printers, and craftsmen by various print publishers in order to produce woodblock prints. The system consisted of the following professions; publisher, artist, carver, and printer.

Motoharu Asaka - is a woodblock carver (horishi) and printer based in Shinjuku, Tōkyō Japan. website

Tuula Moilanen - is a Finnish mokuhanga printmaker and painter based in Finland. She lived and studied in Kyōto from 1989 to 2012, where she learned her printmaking at Kyōto Seika University and from printmaker Akira Kurosaki (1937–2019). Her work can be found here. Her interview with The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast can be found here.

Stake Out By the Bridge 21x30cm from Sea Lion Series (2023)

Kari Laitinen - is a Finnish artist and printmaker based in Finland. His works explore colour and dimension. More information can be found, here. He helped write, with Tuula Moilanen, the book Woodblock Printmaking with Oil-based Inks and the Japanese Watercolour Woodcut. It was published in 1999.

William Blake (1757–1827) was an English poet, painter, and printmaker known for his visionary and symbolic works that combined text and image. Though largely unrecognized in his lifetime, he is now celebrated as a key figure of the Romantic era. His major works, such as Songs of Innocence and of Experience and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, explore themes of spirituality, imagination, and social critique. Blake’s unique style and integration of poetry and visual art have made him a lasting influence on both literature and art.

Keiko Kadota (1942-2017) - was the director of Nagasawa Art Park at Awaji City from 1997-2011, and then of MI Lab at Lake Kawaguchi from 2011 until her passing.

Terry McKenna  is a mokuhanga printmaker and teacher residing in Karuizawa, Japan. He received guidance in the art form from Richard Steiner, a prominent mokuhanga printmaker based in Kyoto. Terry established the Karuizawa Mokuhanga School, a renowned residency dedicated to mokuhanga education, located in Karuizawa, Japan.  Further details about Terry and his school can be found, here. Additionally, you can listen to Terry's interview with The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, here and Richard Steiner's interview here. 

Storm Clearing Wattle Flat (2015) 8.6" x 14"

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) was a German Renaissance artist known for his woodcuts, engravings, and detailed drawings. Based in Nuremberg, he brought international recognition to printmaking with works like Melencolia Iand The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Dürer combined Northern European detail with Italian Renaissance ideals, influencing art across Europe and contributing to theories on proportion, perspective, and human anatomy.

Michihamono  - is a tool manufacturer for woodblock printmaking as well as other woodworking. Located in Tōkyō. You can find their online store, here.

© Popular Wheat Productions

Opening and closing musical credit - background noise from Gyozanomanshu Kami Shakuji restaurant.

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know.

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

 

Mokuhanga can be a standalone medium or combined with other artistic practices, offering endless opportunities for experimentation and creative exploration.

In this episode of The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast, I speak with printmaker Karen Kunc, who has worked with mokuhanga for many years. She integrates it into her broader printmaking practice, which includes book arts, mixed media, letterpress, Western woodblock, and more.

We discuss her early encounters with mokuhanga, her travels to Japan, and her experience printing with Akira Kurosaki. Karen also shares how nature influences her work, the importance of taking creative risks, and her perspective on mokuhanga today. Plus, we talk about her own Constellation Studios and its role in her artistic journey.

Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me at [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Karen Kunc - website, Instagram 

Aqua Alta - 26" x 72", woodcut

Jocelyn Art Museum - is a fine arts museum located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. The museum was opened in 1931. More info, here.

The Agony and The Ecstasy   - is a biographical novel by the American author Irving Stone (1903-1989). It goes into detail of the life of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564). The novel was published in 1961. 

Awaji Island - located in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, has a rich history dating back to ancient times. According to the Kojiki(Records of Ancient Matters), it is considered the birthplace of Japan—the first island created by the gods Izanagi and Izanami in Japanese mythology. Historically, Awaji played a vital role as a strategic hub for maritime trade and travel, connecting the Kansai region with Shikoku and Kyushu. During the Edo period, it was governed as part of the Tokushima Domain under the Hachisuka clan. Today, Awaji is renowned for its natural beauty, traditional industries such as Awaji Ningyō Jōruri (puppet theater), and its connection to mainland Japan via the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge—the world’s longest suspension bridge.

Kyoto Seika University - located in Kyoto, Japan, is a leading private institution specializing in art and design education. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as painting, sculpture, graphic design, and manga. Known for its rigorous curriculum, Kyoto Seika emphasizes both practical skills and creative expression. With a strong tradition of nurturing talented artists and designers, the university fosters a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and artistic growth.

Akira Kurosaki (1937-2019) - was one of the most influential woodblock print artists of the modern era. His work, while seemingly abstract, moved people with its vibrant colour and powerful composition. He was a teacher and invented the “Disc Baren,” which is a great baren to begin your mokuhanga journey with. At the 2021 Mokuhanga Conference in Nara, Japan there was a tribute exhibit of his life works. Azusa Gallery has a nice selection of his work, here.

Aurora - 13" x 17" colour woodcut (1982)

 ukiyo-e - is a multi colour woodblock print generally associated with the Edo Period (1603-1867) of Japan. What began in the 17th Century as prints of only a few colours, evolved into an elaborate system of production and technique into the Meiji Period (1868-1912). With the advent of photography and other forms of printmaking, ukiyo-e as we know it today, ceased production by the late 19th Century. 

Utagawa Kuniteru (1808-1876) Sumo Wrestler (1861)

Peter Max - is an American artist who is associated with the American Pop Art movement of the 1950's and 1960's. He used vibrant colours in his work. Max's art was seen on posters, paintings, even running shoes. More info, here. 

Outer Spectrum - serigraph 8.75" x 12.5" (1978) 

Mary Brodbeck - is a mokuhanga printmaker, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has been producing mokuhanga for nearly 25 years. Her work refelcts nature, and the power it contains. Mary's interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here. 

GAZE - 10" x 14" 

MI Lab - is a mokuhanga artists residency located in Awatabe Town, Echizen City, Fukui, Japan.  More info can be found, here. 

Center For The Science of Human Endeavor - also known in Japanese as 一般社団法人産業人文学研究所  is a program to "research, study, design for a life style in the 21st Century," and is associated with MI Lab.  There is a brick and mortar gallery located in Shinbashi, Tōkyō. 

McClains Woodblock Print Supply Co.  - based in Portland, Oregon, McClain's is the go-to supplier of woodblock print tools in the United States. Their website can be found here. The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast interview with Daniel Jasa of McClain's can be found here.

nishinouchi paper - is a Japanese washi which is produced in Nishinouchi Kami no Sato, located in Hitachiomiya City, Ibaraki, Japan. More info can be found, here. 

The Japanese Paper Place- is a Toronto based Japanese paper store servicing the mokuhanga and arts community in Toronto and around the world for many years. Nancy Jacobi of The JPP and her interview with The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast can be found,  here.

Constellation Studios - is the studio of Karen Kunc located in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. More info can be found, here. 

Penland School of Craft - is a school which welcomes students from all over the world. Located in North Carolina, the school offers eight-week workshops in many different types of mediums. More info, here. 

Anderson Ranch Arts Center - since the 1960s, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, located in Colorado, has been a beacon for the arts in the United States. The Ranch offers master classes, workshops, artist-in-residence programs, and more. For additional information, please click here.

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA) - founded in 1971, is located at Mt. San Angelo in Amherst, Virginia. It provides residency opportunities for artists and writers across various disciplines, offering a supportive environment for creative work. More info can be found, here. 

Wayne Crothers - is an Australian mokuhanga printmaker, curator and artist who lives in Japan. 

Patricia Olynyk - is a Canadian multimedia artist, photographer,  who resides in The United States. Patricia's work explores the way " social systems and institutional structures shape our understanding of our place in the world." More information can be found, here. 

Oculus - digital sculpture 

Ralph Kiggell (1960-2022) -  was one of the most important mokuhanga practitioners. Originally from England, Ralph lived and worked in Thailand. Ralph pushed the boundaries of mokuhanga with extremely large pieces, jigsaw carving, and by using fantastic colour. He also worked with the International Mokuhanga Conference to promote mokuhanga around the world. He will be greatly missed. Ralph's work can be found, here. His obituary in The Guardian can be found, here. His interview with The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast can be found, here.

Park Winter

Tuula Moilanen - is a Finnish mokuhanga printmaker and painter based in Finland. She lived and studied in Kyōto from 1989 to 2012, where she learned her printmaking at Kyōto Seika University and from printmaker Akira Kurosaki (1937–2019). Her work can be found here. Her interview with The Unfinished Print: A Mokuhanga Podcast can be found here.

Daizuyama - 23cm x 34cm (2009) 

Kari Laitinen - is a Finnish artist and printmaker based in Finland. His works explore colour and dimension. More information can be found, here. He helped write, with Tuula Moilanen, the book Woodblock Printmaking with Oil-based Inks and the Japanese Watercolour Woodcut. It was published in 1999.

Dimensions VII - 48cm x 76cm (2017)

Venice Printmaking Studio - is a printmaking residency located in Murano, Italy.

Malaspina Printmakers - is a printmaking residency located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. MNmore info, here. 

Annu Vertanen - is a Finnish printmaker who has used mokuhanga in her work. Annu is currently a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki. 

Aspect Guanlan I - 95cm x 65cm 

© Popular Wheat Productions

Opening and closing musical credit - Bruce Springsteen, Atlantic City (1982). From the album Nebraska (Columbia Records)

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know.

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

 

 

 

 

 

Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) is considered one of the last great ukiyo-e print designers of Japan. His evocative works helped shape some of the most significant prints from the latter era of ukiyo-e and burgeoning Meiji nishiki-e.

I welcome back to the show Dr. Monika Hinkel, Lecturer in the Arts of East Asia at SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies) at the University of London and an Academic Member of the Japan Research Centre where we explore Kunichika’s life and career. We discuss Kunichika's upbringing in Edo-period Japan (1603–1868), his training at the Utagawa School, and his evolution as an ukiyo-e artist.

We discuss Kunichika's creative process, the woodblock production methods of the Edo and Meiji periods, and his favoured themes—kabuki actors, and beautiful women. We also discuss how Kunichika subtly incorporated Japan’s emerging modernity into his designs. Lastly, Dr. Hinkel and I share our personal stories about why we have such an affinity for Toyohara Kunichika and his work.

Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me at [email protected] 

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known.

Ichikawa Sandanji I (1842-1904) as Akiyama Kiimori from New Plays for the Meiji Theatre (1894) Published by Akiyama Buemon

ukiyo-e - is a multi colour woodblock print generally associated with the Edo Period (1603-1867) of Japan. What began in the 17th Century as prints of only a few colours, evolved into an elaborate system of production and technique into the Meiji Period (1868-1912). With the advent of photography and other forms of printmaking, ukiyo-e as we know it today, ceased production by the late 19th Century. 

Utagawa School - was a school of print designers starting with Utagawa Toyoharu (1735-1814). He employed one point perspective (vanishing point) in his print designs, being influenced by Western perspective. The influence of the Utagawa school goes far in Japanese print history and one of its most successful. This schools print designs of kabuki portraits, beautiful women (bijin-ga), and landscapes are excellent. Some famous names attributed to the Utagawa school are Utamaro (1753-1806), Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865), and Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858). A fine description of this school can be found, here at Artelino. 

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) - is considered one of the last “masters” of the ukiyo-e genre of Japanese woodblock printmaking. His designs range from landscapes, samurai and Chinese military heroes, as well as using various formats for his designs such as diptychs and triptychs.  

The Mirror of Women of Wisdom and Courage - Princess Chujo (1843)

Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) is widely regarded as one of the most significant woodblock print designers in Japanese history. His diverse portfolio includes prints ranging from landscapes and books to erotica and sumo. Kunisada worked during the vibrant era of nishiki-e alongside notable artists such as Andō Hiroshige (1797-1858), Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), and the aforementioned Kuniyoshi. This period represents a rich and abundant chapter in Japanese woodblock print history.

Beauty in a Mirror - Beauty Applying Perfume On Her Neck (date unknown) 

Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) - was a painter and woodblock print designer famous for his war prints on the First Sino-Japanese War (July 25, 1894- April 17, 1895). Kiyochika captured the transitional period in Japanese history as the country underwent rapid modernization and Westernization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.   Light House at Kudan On A Rainy Night ca. 1930's   Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) -  was a mokuhanga designer who is famous for his prints depicting violence and gore. His work is powerful, colourful, and one of the last vibrant moments of the ukiyo-e genre of woodblock prints. More information about Yoshitoshi’s life and his copious amount of work can be found, here.     Rising moon over Mount Nanping - Cao Cao (1885)   nishiki-e (錦絵) - is the Japanese phrase for multi-colour woodblock prints, otherwise known as brocade pictures. Usually attributed to the Meiji period (1868-1912).  

© Popular Wheat Productions

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know.

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***

 

When it’s time to practice mokuhanga outside of your comfort zone, there are several places you can go. Seminars and workshops in your hometown are great options, but what if you want to experience something different—a new culture, a new space, a new environment? One such setting is the Mokuhanga Project Space (MPS) in Walla Walla, Washington, United States. This residency allows mokuhanga artists to explore their medium in new and challenging ways.

In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Keiko Hara, mokuhanga artist and co-founder of Mokuhanga Project Space, and Benjamin Selby, mokuhanga artist and Advisory Board Member at MPS. We discuss Keiko Hara’s life and work, her prints, and the development of MPS. We also explore how Mokuhanga Project Space is currently run, the significance of Walla Walla, Washington as a home base, and the importance of residencies in an artist’s practice. Additionally, we examine mokuhanga as a developing art form, comparing its philosophies in the West versus its perception in Japan. And finally, we touch on key concepts such as tradition and innovation in mokuhanga and so much more.

Please follow The Unfinished Print and my own mokuhanga work on Instagram @andrezadoroznyprints or email me at [email protected]

Notes: may contain a hyperlink. Simply click on the highlighted word or phrase.

Artists works follow after the note if available. Pieces are mokuhanga unless otherwise noted. Dimensions are given if known. Print publishers are given if known. For more show notes, please enjoy older episodes of The Unfinished Print. 

Mokuhanga Project Space - website 

Keiko Hara - website

Topophilia - Red Shoes (Installation 2017)

Benjamin Selby - Instagram

Untitled (2024) 41.5x31cm

© Popular Wheat Productions

opening and closing credit - Evening Chimes in Japan

logo designed and produced by Douglas Batchelor and André Zadorozny 

Disclaimer: Please do not reproduce or use anything from this podcast without shooting me an email and getting my express written or verbal consent. I'm friendly :)

 Слава Українi

If you find any issue with something in the show notes please let me know.

***The opinions expressed by guests in The Unfinished Print podcast are not necessarily those of André Zadorozny and of Popular Wheat Productions.***