Work samples
About Anita
Anne Arundel County
Anita Hagan creates her unique mixed media block prints in a small studio on the Chesapeake Bay in Edgewater, Maryland. For over 35 years, she has worked as a printmaker perfecting her unusual technique of printing black ink over watercolor and gold or silver leaf on handmade mulberry/Kozo paper. Inspired by both the human figure and the natural world, she continues to explore and push the boundaries of her art. Currently, she is finishing a series of large portraits entitled "The One World… more
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The One World Project
The One World Project is a series of large 24" x 24" mixed media portraits created with a combination of linoleum block printmaking, acrylic and metal leaf on handmade Japanese paper.
The project will be a multi-dimensional event to take place in 2020-2021 including three exhibitions of the "One World" artwork, educational displays of the actual blocks and tools, workshops to share the art of relief printmaking, and a collaborative relationship with a regional charitable organization.
There will also be a "One World" wall hanging to be suspended from the ceiling of each exhibiton comprised of 20 black and white prints of the portraits stitched together in a giant quilt symbolizing our connectness.
The message I seek to communicate is that our common ground as human beings is greater than our differences. The labels we assign separate and divide us, and our fear of the unknown keeps us apart. During the opening reception of each exhibition, participants will be encouraged through an interactive exercise to meet and engage with each other - and get to know someone new. A wonderful thing occurs when strangers take a chance, shake a hand, and open their hearts.
#anitahaganoneworld
The project will be a multi-dimensional event to take place in 2020-2021 including three exhibitions of the "One World" artwork, educational displays of the actual blocks and tools, workshops to share the art of relief printmaking, and a collaborative relationship with a regional charitable organization.
There will also be a "One World" wall hanging to be suspended from the ceiling of each exhibiton comprised of 20 black and white prints of the portraits stitched together in a giant quilt symbolizing our connectness.
The message I seek to communicate is that our common ground as human beings is greater than our differences. The labels we assign separate and divide us, and our fear of the unknown keeps us apart. During the opening reception of each exhibition, participants will be encouraged through an interactive exercise to meet and engage with each other - and get to know someone new. A wonderful thing occurs when strangers take a chance, shake a hand, and open their hearts.
#anitahaganoneworld
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One World - Man with Blue Jacket"One World - Man in Blue Jacket"- 24" x 24"- Linoleum block print with watercolor and silver leaf on handmade Kozo paper. #anitahaganoneworld
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One World - Girl with Red Hair"One World - Girl with Red Hair" 24" x 24" Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on handmade Kozo paper. #anitahaganoneworld
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One World - Man in Green Shirt"One World - Man in Green Shirt"- 24" x 24"- Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on handmade Kozo paper. #anitahaganoneworld
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One World - Woman with Gold Earrings"One World - Woman with Gold Earrings"- 24" x 24" - Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on handmade Kozo paper. #anitahaganoneworld
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One World - Man in Blue Shirt"One World - Man in Blue Shirt"- 24" x 24"- Linoleum block print with watercolor and silver leaf on handmade Kozo paper. #anitahaganoneworld
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One World - Woman with Patterned Shirt"One World - Woman with Patterned Shirt"- 24" x 24"- Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on handmade Kozo paper. #anitahaganoneworld
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One World - Girl with Brown Hair"One World - Woman with Brown Hair" 24" x 24" Mixed media - Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on handmade Kozo paper. #anitahaganoneworld
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One World Tapestry"One World Tapestry" will be a huge wall hanging to be suspended from the gallery ceiling made up of 24 black and white portrait block prints of the One World series. The tapestry will represent the beautiful array of human beings and the continuity of our shared experience.
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Inking the block - "One World - Man in a Blue Shirt" Block print by Anita Hagan.In progress video showing the inking up of the carved block for "One World - Man in a Blue Shirt" - the latest piece in the One World series. #anitahaganoneworld
The Art of Block Printing
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Step #1- The image is drawn on the blockStep #1: The image is drawn on the block, first using vine charcoal and then followed up with permanent ink. The ink must be permanent, because it must withstand the action of carving.
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Step #2 - The block is carvedUsing a linoleum block carving tool and a series of gouge blades, the block is carved.
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Step #2 - Detail of the carved block - One World - Woman with Gold Earrings
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Step #3 - The block is inkedStep #3 - Black oil-based ink is rolled across the block using a brayer - which is a type of roller.
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Step #4 - The inked block is finished and ready for printingStep #4 - The inked block is checked for even application, and is ready for printing.
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Step #5 - The paper is applied to the blockStep #5 - The mulberry/Kozo paper is rolled carefully across the inked block.
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Step #6 - Pulling the printStep #6 - After using a wooden spoon to hand rub the back of the paper and press it into the inked block, the print is "pulled" or removed from the block.
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Step #7 - One World - Woman with Gold Earrings - Final black and white printStep #7 - The black and white proof is checked to see if any additional carving is needed. Note: The black and white print ultimately is not dependent on color and I consider it to be a finished work of art in it's own right. However, I do use it as a template to trace out and determine where the color will go when I paint the background for the color version. (See Step #8)
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Step #8 - A new piece of paper is painted with thin acrylicStep #8 - Using the black and white print as a template, I trace out where the background color will be painted on a new sheet of Kozo paper. Using Golden acrylics like watercolor, I paint the paper. Gold or silver leafing is also applied at this time.
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Step #9 - One World - Woman with Gold Earrings - FinalStep #9 - Black oil-based ink is again rolled across the block, and carefully lined up with the painted paper. The black is then printed over top of the painted background color and leafing.
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston 2018
In April 2018, I was invited to participate in The Big Ink Project at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. As a demonstration for the public, my huge woodblock print "The Myth of Freedom" measuring 40" x 55" was printed and displayed in the main gallery along with five other printmakers. I also presented my work to the audience describing the process and my artistic vision.
Landscapes
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The Journey Home"The Journey Home" - 24" x 36" - Linoleum block print with water color on handmade Kozo paper
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Beautiful Field I (Yellow Flowers)Beautiful Field I (Yellow Flowers) - 9" x 12" - Linoleum block print with water color on handmade Kozo paper
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Forest CanopyForest Canopy - 18" x 18" - Linoleum block print with water color on handmade Kozo paper
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Sacred Grove"Sacred Grove" - 24" x 24" - Linoleum block print with water color on handmade Kozo paper
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The Black Road"The Black Road" - 18" x 18" - Linoleum block print with water color on handmade Kozo paper
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The Road Less Traveled I"The Road Less Traveled I"- 8" x 30"- Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on handmade Kozo paper.
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The Road Less Traveled II"The Road Less Traveled II"- 8" x 30"- Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on handmade Kozo paper.
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The Zen Path"The Zen Path"- 6" x 9"- Linoleum block print with watercolor on handmade Kozo paper.
Figurative Work
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The Dream of Envy"The Dream of Envy" - 24" x 30" - Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on Kozo paper
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The Dream of Love"The Dream of Love" - 24" x 30" - Linoleum block print with watercolor and silver leaf on Kozo paper
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Seasons - Spring"Seasons - Spring" - 24" x 36" - Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on Kozo paper
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Seasons - Summer"Seasons - Summer" - 24" x 36" - Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on Kozo paper
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Seasons - Winter.JPG"Seasons - Winter" - 24" x 36" - Linoleum block print with watercolor and gold leaf on Kozo paper
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She Dreams of the Atlas Mountains
Nature
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Running with the Moon"Running with the Moon" - Linoleum block print and water color on Kozo paper - 18" x 18"
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A Song of Hope"A Song of Hope" - Linoleum block print and water color and gold leaf on Kozo paper - 14" x 18"
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Raven."Raven" - Linoleum block print and water color and gold leaf on Kozo paper - 6" x 9"
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Sunfish"Sunfish" - Linoleum block print and water color and gold leaf on Kozo paper - 6" x 9"
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Swallowtail Butterfly and Passion Flowers"Swallowtail Butterfly and Passion Flowers" - Linoleum block print and water color and gold leaf on Kozo paper - 11" x 14"
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Brown Moth on Gold Flower"Brown Moth on Gold Flower" - Linoleum block print and water color on Kozo paper - 6" x 6"