In this first part of my multi-part episode with printmaker Will Francis we begin with a short introduction with Will about who he is, what he does, and his partnership with Jed Henry. 

follow me on Instagram @popular_wheatprints, Twitter @unfinishedprint, or email me at [email protected]

Show Notes: all links are hyperlinked. Just click!

Will Francis: Patreon and website 

David Bull

Jed Henry  

Hokusai (1760-1849)- this hyper link will send you to the .org website of Hokusai’s complete works.  James A Michener (1907-1997) - a Pulitzer Prize winning writer, scholar and academic who wrote on Japanese prints, amongst many more topics, and worked with art historian Oliver Statler (1915-2002)

bokashi - a style of gradation on woodblock prints using water and pigment. This technique gradually fades the pigments into emptiness.  Sigourney Weaver (b. 1949) and her character from the Alien franchise were made into a print called Unseen Fear, carved & printed by Will Francis and designed by Jed Henry. 

practice blocks - I bring up the term “practice blocks” during my interview with Will because historically to practice one’s carving you would paste hanashita of specific lines and circles. These would be carved over and over again to practice your carving technique. It is still used today, albeit rarely, by artists such as Adrian Holmes, and Taran Eden Casey who have and currently post about it on their social media. 

Echizen washi is a paper made in a specific part of Japan, in this case in Fukui prefecture. Please visit www.echizenwashi.jp/english for an amazing website dedicated to the making and history of this paper, as well as its geography, and social history. 

opening credit background music: Born Under A Bad Sign by Albert King (1967)

© Popular Wheat Productions

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 :)