The Three Graces

‘Three Graces’ is my version of a classic pose. Three curvy women stand together huddled as if they are telling great secrets. Many famous artists have painted or sculpted this pose. My favorite is Rodin’s version which stands invitingly atop “The Gates of Hell.”

I started this print before I move to the bay area the first time. I made all of the cuts and printed the Blue at my first apartment in Alameda. Life got in the way and the woodblock and prints were put aside for quite a long time. When I move back to Alameda, I dug the woodblock out of a box and put it on my kitchen table, so that I could see it everyday until I actually finished it. One day in January, I sat down to finish the cutting and last week I went out to the studio to print. I am excited that it is finally finished as it seems to be the culmination of a lot of other things. I feel more and more like I am getting to where I am supposed to be and finishing this print is like finishing this chapter. Now I feel I can move on from where I have been stuck.

‘Three Graces’ is a wood-cut. The image is 7” x 8.25” on Rice Paper. 5 were made in blue and black. 4 were made in orange and black. There are 10 in black only. The color (blue or orange) was printed in water based ink and the black printed on top in oil based ink.

The finished version can be seen along with some shots of the print in progress at my website.