So… I’ve added another hobby to the list (no one is surprised). Lately, I’ve been dabbling in linocut printmaking. While I’m still very much a beginner, I have to say: I love it.
There’s something oddly satisfying about carving into a block of linoleum. It’s a mix of patience, focus, and that tiny thrill when the design actually starts to come together. And then, of course, the magic moment: stamping the ink, pressing it down, and lifting the paper to reveal the print. Sometimes it’s exactly what I envisioned, sometimes it’s full of happy accidents. I try not to be a perfectionist and appreciate the fun of it.
Right now, I’m experimenting with simple designs (shapes, little plants, abstract patterns), just to get the feel of the tools and the process. I’ve nicked the edges of a few blocks, gotten ink all over my hands, and definitely printed things backwards by mistake. But by practicing patience and trusting the process, I’ve really loved some of the designs I’ve come up with.
Linocut has this lovely balance of craft and creativity. It slows me down, but it also keeps me curious. I like that it’s tactile, imperfect, and a little unpredictable. For me, it has been an introduction into the paper industry, that of which I have really really grown an interest in. I might even have a patent that I’m working on inspired by linocut 😉
I’m excited to keep playing with it, and maybe one day I’ll have a whole stack of prints I’m proud of. For now, I’m just enjoying being a beginner again.