TheGreyFoxStudio

Katherine Grey a native Idaho printmaker living and producing art in Boise. Grey’s subjects include the landscapes and animals of the American West and Northwest. She was trained in printmaking at Wellesley College in Massachusetts and now specializes in hand-carved, hand-colored linocuts printed on handmade papers. Grey shows her work throughout the region as well as on the East Coast and in the Southwest.

Grey’s work is a unique blend of traditional block printing, watercolors, and fiber arts. She begins her process by sketching her subjects repeatedly until Grey feels that she understands their essence. Next, Grey maps out her design by painstakingly simplifying her subjects into a two-tone design. Because she does not work in gradients this important and challenging step is key to creating her signature high-contrast style. Once she is satisfied with her design she transfers it onto linoleum and begins carving. The direction and texture of Grey’s carving is vital and is often evident in the finished print. Large detailed blocks can require months to carve. When she has finished carving, Grey prints the block using either a press or by hand with a baren depending on the thickness of paper she has chosen. Grey prints on a wide variety of handmade papers that she selects or creates to take advantage of their unique textural qualities. She loves how the fibers of the paper can accentuate her designs and experimenting with these properties is one of the most satisfying aspects of her work. Finally, Grey hand-colors many of her block prints using watercolors as washes or to highlight specific details of the design. This allows for a delightful variation in her work even within editions. Because of this final step each piece of her work is completely handmade and unique.