I’ve always been interested in a person or a cultures relationship to industry. Â This is probably due to my growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Â A couple of years back I did this series of small linoleum cuts focusing on the subject of the worker in steel and textile. Â I wanted to try my hand at realism in relief printmaking. Â All the images were redrawn from black and white photographs found on the internet using a grid process, then carved. Â “Two Women Sorting The Inventory” and “Factory Woman” were done by first printing the block in yellow ink, and then slightly offsetting the block in black. Â I haven’t printed editions for many of these blocks mainly because they were studies. Â Also, I often get way too ahead of myself as far as making new images in relation to printing editions. Â I usually have to come back to things later in order to print a full edition. Â That will probably happen with these.
1/4      The Soulless Machine    2009
Plate: 3″ x 4″, Plate: 8 1/4″ x 10 1/2″
A/P 1/2             Kids              2009
Plate: 5 1/2″ x 5″
A/P 1/3  A Pittsburgh Street Scene In The Rain  2009
Plate: 8″ x 6″
1/4               Untitled            2009
Plate: 8″ x 6″, Paper: 12″ x 10 1/2″
A/P  Two Women Sorting The Inventory  2009
Plate: 3″ x 5″
A/P    Factory Woman    2009
Plate: 3″ x 5″
A/P 1/5           The Furnace           2009
Plate: 5″ x 4″
A/P 1/4 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Furnace #2 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2009
Plate: 5″ x 4″
A/P        Woman Working      2009
Plate: 3″ x 4″
Copyright © 2011 by Drew Kail
Drew Kail 
I love these prints!
I’m so glad! I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and remember the effects that the steel industry had on our culture. Because of this I am always fascinated by the human relationship to industrialism and technological advancement.
________________________________
Your print ‘The Furnace’ reminds me of the ‘open hearth’ furnaces I worked around at Great Lakes Steel in Detroit in the late 60’s. It was like something out of the Industrial Revolution. Steel pouring like lava, etc.
Mike
I got the print from an old photograph I found on the web and then redrew it. I’ve always been fascinated by the individuals interaction with industrialism and technology. I think it’s because I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania right at the end of the Steel industry. Thanks for making me the artist of the day.
Drew
You’re welcome. I don’t know why it took me so long to take a good look at your work.
Mike