Woodcut: Chief Mountain: Ninaiistako
Woodcut: Chief Mountain: Ninaiistako
12 X 12 inch original, hand-painted woodblock print. On the northeastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, just south of Canada, this square-topped mountain is unmistakable in its beauty. Held sacred for hundreds if not thousands of years by local tribes, this mountain is not available for climbing, only viewing in order to respect the traditions of the Blackfeet people. Ninaiistako is the Blackfeet name for this powerful mountain. Here, we see it at dawn in November 2016. Limited edition of 100 printed on a 1964 Vandercook Letterpress by Dirk Lee. Expect slight variations in color as each print is hand-painted with layers of luminous watercolor washes. Shipping included in the USA.
The Glacier Prints focus on natural and cultural features found in or near the Many Glacier Valley in Northwest Montana. Glacier National Park commissioned me to make these prints for the Many Glacier Lodge historical renovation in late 2016.
Each original woodblock print is handmade in every step of the process. Each limited-edition print of 100 is meticulously researched, designed, hand-carved, printed and hand-painted in the old way: using the good old fashioned human hand, mind, and heart. I collect ideas and sketch in the field which are worked into my final compositions. These drawings are then transferred onto wood, then carved backwards with fine u- and v-shaped gouges. Each woodcut is printed by master letterpress printer Dirk Lee on his 1964 Vandercook Letterpress. Once the ink is dried, I hand-color each print using luminous layers of watercolor. The black ink contrasts with the nuanced colors, creating striking images of Glaciers iconic landscape community.
Artist, Naturalist and Educator Claire Emery has been working with Montana’s natural and cultural stories for over 20 years through conservation collaborations, books, posters, interpretive signs and original woodblock prints. Her work is found in museums, university and private collections, and cozy homes around the world.
