Monarch Butterfly 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, to name a few.
The Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, is one of Wisconsin's endangered species. This is one of best known endangered species in North America, celebrated for its incredibly long migration from as far north as southern Canada down to South America and its iconic hibernation. These remarkable butterflies only roost in 11-12 specific oyamel fir forests nearly 2 miles above sea level, clinging to the boughs in great heaps. The monarch butterfly has been toggling between the "threatened" and "endangered" statuses for decades. They are threatened by several specific factors. Many monarchs are killed as caterpillars by a specific species of wasp, which parasitizes them. They are also killed off by extreme temperatures, since their migration path is so vast and temperatures are so variable. Monarchs are also facing habitat loss, as they only lay eggs on one plant, milkweed, which is native to North America but is declining due to invasive species and agricultural takeover.
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, to name a few.
The Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, is one of Wisconsin's endangered species. This is one of best known endangered species in North America, celebrated for its incredibly long migration from as far north as southern Canada down to South America and its iconic hibernation. These remarkable butterflies only roost in 11-12 specific oyamel fir forests nearly 2 miles above sea level, clinging to the boughs in great heaps. The monarch butterfly has been toggling between the "threatened" and "endangered" statuses for decades. They are threatened by several specific factors. Many monarchs are killed as caterpillars by a specific species of wasp, which parasitizes them. They are also killed off by extreme temperatures, since their migration path is so vast and temperatures are so variable. Monarchs are also facing habitat loss, as they only lay eggs on one plant, milkweed, which is native to North America but is declining due to invasive species and agricultural takeover.
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, to name a few.
The Monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, is one of Wisconsin's endangered species. This is one of best known endangered species in North America, celebrated for its incredibly long migration from as far north as southern Canada down to South America and its iconic hibernation. These remarkable butterflies only roost in 11-12 specific oyamel fir forests nearly 2 miles above sea level, clinging to the boughs in great heaps. The monarch butterfly has been toggling between the "threatened" and "endangered" statuses for decades. They are threatened by several specific factors. Many monarchs are killed as caterpillars by a specific species of wasp, which parasitizes them. They are also killed off by extreme temperatures, since their migration path is so vast and temperatures are so variable. Monarchs are also facing habitat loss, as they only lay eggs on one plant, milkweed, which is native to North America but is declining due to invasive species and agricultural takeover.
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!
