This print, first exhibited in my solo show at the Winfisky Gallery (Jan 2001), was printed in October 2000 as part of a Steamroller Workshop hosted by the Printmaking Department of Montserrat College of Art.  the Steamroller Workshop involved getting a steamroller (graciously donated by Wall-To-Wall Paving of Gloucester, Massachusetts), a parking lot, old carpets (to use as blankets), rolls of 4-foot wide printmaking paper, and tons of people to create blocks, help each other out and generally have a great day.

And we did.  The biggest relief blocks were 4 x 8 feet.  Some people also did large-scale monoprints off of masonite.  One person used the steamroller to make a print from a 16-foot long kayak.

My block was made from a 4 x 5 foot piece of plywood.  I used drills, a router and a jigsaw to cut away the areas that I didn't want to print.

I finished the print later in my studio by screenprinting and rubberstamping descending-size versions of that same image.

below:  We prepare for a steamroller pass.  Matt Smith and Ethan Berry lay paper on an inked block and behind them Jason Verhoosky and Anthony Landry do the same.  I hover over them, doing nothing of any import and probably barking senseless advice.

above:  My son Alexander (4 yrs) helps me peel the print from the block.  Wally of Wall-To-Wall Paving sits atop the steamroller.  Jason Verhoosky is visible in back (wearing overalls).  Ethan's blue pickup held the 4-foot wide rolls of Stonehenge paper.
 
 

below:  The not-very-evenly-inked print comes off the block.  Jenn Hilton enters the frame at left, Dom (The Canary) Parry at right.  Jessamyn McTwigan and Julie Silvestri also make themselves visible.

below:  Later in the day, finally, I pull a well-inked print (that would eventually become what you see at the top of this webpage).  I couldn't have done it without Anthony Landry (kneeling).

posted 6/10/01 -- thanks to Paula Borsetti for the photos!

TO the Oltgallery