Linocut ABC – “B is for…”

“B is for…(Bears, Birch trees and Berries)” is carved in lino, and part of an animal alphabet series, inspired by golden age illustration, classical picture books and their accompanying tradition of craftsmanship.

For this series I have chosen a realistic approach to the animals and plants portrayed, and juxtaposed this form of expression with a playful and organic mode of composition. Flora and fauna intertwines, breaks the frame, and on occasion an animal will try to make a run for it. Each image in the series also features an element of narrative, so apart from being educational and symbolic of the name they represent, all letters encourages story-telling and imagining, and are easy for young children to engage with and relate to.

All motives are carefully carved by hand, using traditional lino- and wood-engraving tools, and subsequently inked and printed by hand, ensuring that each end every print is unique. I only use the finest archival quality materials, so these prints can quite literally last for centuries, and makes for a lovely keepsake. The inked image size is approx 24×18 cm (not including the elements breaking the frame), and the paper size varies with the edition and trimming, as does the type of paper.

The series is trilingual, and all letters are made to work in English, Danish and Icelandic alike, although plenty of letters will work in other languages as well.

You can purchase this print in my shop – it is available in classic black/white and in a lush gradient green.