Blanchard's Cricket Frog Print
This print is part of my Endangered Species series, a series of prints representing local critters that are threatened by myriad dangers of the Anthropocene: habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and over-exploitation.
The Story:
Until 2017, Blanchard's Cricket Frog hadn't been documented in Wisconsin for over 50 years! Lil' guy was resurrected!Biologists believe that habitat destruction and water pollution are to blame for this frog's population decline, since they require specific conditions to survive sub-zero temperatures in the winter. Believe it or not, the name "cricket frog" comes not from their diet but from their mating call, which is often described as the sound of two stones clicking together, very cricket-like. Also like crickets, these little guys are tiny! They're about the size of a penny. Be careful not to step on them if you see them while you're hiking this summer! Also, go look up their call- it sounds exactly like they're actually clicking two pebbles together with their lil hands.
The Process:
As with all of my prints, I start with one or several reference images and create a digital drawing of my design in Procreate. Then, I print my design on a standard printer, and cover the back of the sheet with graphite. I orient my design on my linoleum block, then I trace over the entire design with a 6H pencil. Once the design is transferred, I begin carving. I use a sharpie to check shadows and highlights as I go. Finally, I make a proof, carve final edits, and print a whole run. Feel free to message me with any questions!
This print is part of my Endangered Species series, a series of prints representing local critters that are threatened by myriad dangers of the Anthropocene: habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and over-exploitation.
The Story:
Until 2017, Blanchard's Cricket Frog hadn't been documented in Wisconsin for over 50 years! Lil' guy was resurrected!Biologists believe that habitat destruction and water pollution are to blame for this frog's population decline, since they require specific conditions to survive sub-zero temperatures in the winter. Believe it or not, the name "cricket frog" comes not from their diet but from their mating call, which is often described as the sound of two stones clicking together, very cricket-like. Also like crickets, these little guys are tiny! They're about the size of a penny. Be careful not to step on them if you see them while you're hiking this summer! Also, go look up their call- it sounds exactly like they're actually clicking two pebbles together with their lil hands.
The Process:
As with all of my prints, I start with one or several reference images and create a digital drawing of my design in Procreate. Then, I print my design on a standard printer, and cover the back of the sheet with graphite. I orient my design on my linoleum block, then I trace over the entire design with a 6H pencil. Once the design is transferred, I begin carving. I use a sharpie to check shadows and highlights as I go. Finally, I make a proof, carve final edits, and print a whole run. Feel free to message me with any questions!
This print is part of my Endangered Species series, a series of prints representing local critters that are threatened by myriad dangers of the Anthropocene: habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and over-exploitation.
The Story:
Until 2017, Blanchard's Cricket Frog hadn't been documented in Wisconsin for over 50 years! Lil' guy was resurrected!Biologists believe that habitat destruction and water pollution are to blame for this frog's population decline, since they require specific conditions to survive sub-zero temperatures in the winter. Believe it or not, the name "cricket frog" comes not from their diet but from their mating call, which is often described as the sound of two stones clicking together, very cricket-like. Also like crickets, these little guys are tiny! They're about the size of a penny. Be careful not to step on them if you see them while you're hiking this summer! Also, go look up their call- it sounds exactly like they're actually clicking two pebbles together with their lil hands.
The Process:
As with all of my prints, I start with one or several reference images and create a digital drawing of my design in Procreate. Then, I print my design on a standard printer, and cover the back of the sheet with graphite. I orient my design on my linoleum block, then I trace over the entire design with a 6H pencil. Once the design is transferred, I begin carving. I use a sharpie to check shadows and highlights as I go. Finally, I make a proof, carve final edits, and print a whole run. Feel free to message me with any questions!
