About Linda

Studio

   

Statement and Technique Description

Artist Statement: 

Although I love drawing and painting, it seems that for over 40 years that 

printmaking has been my master! Often the technical aspect of this process 

makes me question being such a slave to this obsession, but there is no escape! 

Perhaps that fact that you can not totally control printmaking, and the often 

unexpected results being a constant part of the process, creates excitement that 

is addictive! Over the years I have worked with most printmaking techniques, 

and have at this stage in my process come back to the basics of relief printing. 

The Screen Monoprinting technique I developed was to get away from the 

time consuming traditional screen printing process. In order to create a colourful 

print, a new screen had to be created for each colour. After years of creating 

multiples in this manner, I was happy to create only one image using screen 

monoprinting, but have beautiful colours in one pull of my sqeegee! 

For my latest series of prints, I have put colour temporarily aside to focus on 

the strong black and white images of relief printmaking. My first print ever 

was a relief print, and as much as I love colour, working in relief has forced 

more focus on the linear image. 

The act of carving is true escapism. I could carve all day every day! The printing 

however is more labor intensive and problematic. The excitement of pulling a 

print, however, when you never really know what it will turn out like, is 

always thrilling! 

This newest series shows my love of nature and plants. Flowers and growing 

things show such tenacity, beauty and strength. The lines and textures created 

by Mother Nature are so endless and magnificent, my images can only begin 

to honor what nature has created. I am blessed to be able to do most of my 

creating in beautiful Muskoka. The inspiration is evident in my work. 

Editioning: 

In regards to the signing and editioning of prints. The number on a print indi- 

cates the total number of prints in the edition. As the printing of these large 

format relief prints is so time intensive, and my desire to create multiples to 

sit on my shelves gone, I print only a couple of each print, but number them 

out of 25 to give me the option to print more in the future. With the prints 

mounted on wood, I have not signed all of them if I felt the pencil would 

damage the print. As they are adhered to wood, I consider them an individual 

mixed media work, and don't find giving them an edition number necessary. 

With screen monoprints, needless to say, they are a one off. If I have done a 

series using the same relief print, I will then consider them part of a "Varied 

Edition" and sign them with a V.E. number. 

Printmaking Technique Descriptions: 

Relief printmaking: 

The term relief refers to a plate having raised and lowered areas as in a relief map. A 

plate is what is carved in order to create the print. The prints on display have been created 

using rubber flooring, vinyl flooring and a material called "Wonder Cut" purchased from 

Dick Blick Art Supplies in the U.S. Some of the smaller prints are a material called 

"Softolium". Each material has it's distinct advantages and disadvantages. 

A carving tool is used to remove the areas of the image that will remain white. As the 

image prints in reverse to the carving, the artist must not only think backwards, but in a 

positive and negative manner! 

A brayer, (roller) is rolled in ink and the raised portion of the relief plate will take the 

ink, wile the lowered area remain clean. Paper is placed onto the plate and either put into 

a press, or printed by hand. All my prints were printed using a wooden spoon and much 

elbow grease! 

The paper I have used is all Japanese. I find the irregularities and textures add to the 

print. Due to how thin the paper is, printing is a delicate matter. I used a combination of 

acid free glue and acrylic medium to attach the paper to the wooded supports. 

Screen Monoprinting: 

Several of my encapsulated prints, and the Wilson's Falls print in the kitchen are created 

using this technique. Fabric dyes are painted onto a silk screen. With a traditional 

squeegee and wall paper paste as to reconstitute the dried dyes, the print is transfered 

onto paper. Combining the fluid and transparent screen monoprints with the solid lines 

of relief prints, creates an interesting juxtaposition. 

Screen Prints: 

The Amaryllis print, and several encapsulated prints, are created using traditional photo 

screen techniques. The screen is coated in a photo sensitive emulsion, and exposed to 

light, similar to developing a photograph. The create the stencil, oiled photos, copies 

onto acetate, or in the case of the Amaryllis, drawings on tracing paper with grease pencil 

or ink can be used. Some of my prints have been created using copies of scratch board 

drawings, paintings, and drawings. 

Monotypes: 

Some of my encapsulated prints, have combined screen prints with a monotype technique. 

The screen print is printed onto acetate and taped down in reverse on the table. A piece 

of paper is hinged with tape onto the top of the acetate. Acrylic paint is painted onto a 

small portion of the acetate, the paper brought down on top of it and rubbed. This 

technique has very little control, and satisfies the desire for the prints to produce the 

element of surprise! 

I hope this gives you some insight into the trials and challenges as well as the exciting 

results and rewards of Printmaking.  

For future workshops please visit: www.lindakblix.com

Linda Kristin Blix C.V.

EDUCATION

Associate of the Ontario College of Art and Design

Painting and Drawing Department, with Honours.

University of Manitoba, School of Fine Arts

Painting and Printmaking Major.

WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES ATTENDED

Toronto School of Art, Open Studio, Haliburton School of Art, OCAD

Painting, Drawing, Art Therapy, Photographic Darkroom Techniques,

Pottery, Screen printing, Etching Refresher Course, Japanese Woodblock printing,

Image-On Etching Process, "Computers for the Artist", Wave Lengths,

Communication Course, "Wilderness in the City", Drypoint Etching.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Arts for children and Youth, Help students create up to 12 -14 murals per school year in Toronto's underfunded schools.

Arts for Children of Toronto, Outreach Program Artist instructor: printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, murals, P.D. Workshops, Work with special needs and children with differences. 2003 to present

Adult screen monoprinting workshops in Toronto, Alliston, Muskoka, Port Perry. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Momiji Center.

Toronto School of Art Youth program printmaking instructor. 

Haliburton School of the Arts Sir Sandford Fleming College: Adult and children’s printmaking instructor. 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010

Summer Art School in Muskoka Founder of the children's art camp, Curriculum development, programing, teaching. Multiple techniques and drama.  

Shakespeare in Action, Canada Arts Council Project Sets, Props and costumes for three schools and three plays. 

Creative Sparks Self Employed workshops and classes for adults and children in Toronto, Muskoka and Halliburton. 

Bayview Glen Private School Art Supply teacher, 

Open Studio, Printmakers Cooperative Instruction in Screenprinting, Monoprinting and Mixed Media. (8 week classes and workshops.) Custom Printing, Demonstrations, private tutorials and mentoring. 

Latcham Gallery Art Instructor, Summer Art Camp, Developed curriculum.  

Toronto Board of Education Art Fax Grade 5 Studio Program. Pottery, Painting, Printmaking, Art Camp Drawing Instructor, P.D. Workshops.  

McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Art Venture Art Camp Curriculum development, Multiple Mediums, Winter Break & March Break Programs, Corp. Programs, artists demonstrations; guest artist. 

Toronto Public and Separate School Boards Freelance art instructor, guest artist, P.D. Days, murals, art camp instructor. 

York Region Public and Separate School Boards,Art Camp printmaking, mural painting Bernard Street Public School, In-services. Consulting. Visiting Artist Printmaking Projects 

Other Art Camps Centauri and Nelson Park 

GRANTS

Ontario Arts Council, Artist in Education Grant Multidisciplinary, African Cultural Project,  2000

Ontario Arts Council, Artist in the Schools Grant York Region Art Camp. Printmaking, 1993

Ontario Arts Council, Artist in the Schools Grant Huron Heights High School. Printmaking, 1992

EXHIBITION HISTORY

KEY SOLO SHOWS

Organics Of Life Chapel Gallery Bracebridge, Ontario. 2005

Aston Villa Muskoka, show of works.  2003

Babes at the Beach The Beacher Café Queen Street E, Toronto, Ontario. 2002

Selected Works, Savory Grounds Coffee Company Toronto, Ontario. 2002

Client Appreciation Show, Assante Financial Group Beeton, Ontario. 2001

Scenes From My Dock, The Muskoka Opera House Gravenhurst. Ontario. 2001

Under My Bed, Open Studio, George Gilmore Gallery Toronto, Ontario. 2001

Bathing Beauties, Open Studio, George Gilmore Gallery Toronto. Ontario. 1999

Contemporary Art Show, Cedar Ridge Creative Center Toronto. Ontario. 1999

Two Person Show

Levels 2/ Perspectives: With Liz Russ, Gallery 888, October 2008

Three Person Show

Perspectives 3, Gallery 888, Toronto, December 2009

KEY GROUP SHOWS

The Artists Project, Open Studio Collective, March 2010

Muskoka Arts and Crafts Show, March 2010

Year of the Tiger Show, Proof Gallery, Toronto, 2010

Savannah Arts Festival, 2009

Kurt Pammer Mentor Show, Hughs Room, Summer 2009

Spring Fling, 10th Anniversary Show, Gallery 888, June 2009

Washi Show 2, Propeller Art Gallery, May 2009

It's The Small Things: Cobalt Gallery, March 2009

Year of the Ox Show: Proof Studio Gallery, January, 2009

Nuit Blanche: Secrets Show at Proof Gallery, Distillery District, Sept. 2008

38 at 888: Group Show by The Cafe Society Group of Artists, Sept 2008

The Year of the Rat International Printmaking Show, Proof Gallery 2008

Open Studio: Group show, Mechanics of Life Series February. 2006

Ontario College of Art and Design: Whodunit Fundraiser 2004 - 2007

The Haliburton School of Art Faculty Show: The Station Gallery Haliburton. 2005

The Red Show: Eastern Front Gallery Toronto. 2004

The Little Show: 2002, 2003, 2004

Who Art Thou: Muskoka Arts and Crafts Fundraising Show. 2004, 2007

The Water Show: The Latcham Gallery Stouffville.  2003

Sprints Show of prints with past screen printing students in home studio.  2003

The Wild Show Show in home studio with guest artists. 2002

Moments: Latcham Gallery Stouffville, Ontario. 2002

Riverdale Art Walk Toronto, Ontario. 2002

Beach Studio Tour Toronto, Ontario. 1998 and 2001

Best of the Beach: Arts on King Gallery Toronto, Ontario. 2001

Open Studio @ 360 360 Restaurant, C. N. Tower, Toronto. 2001

Moose in the City City of Toronto. 2000

Perspectives 99: Living Arts Center Mississauga, Ontario. 1999

Beach Studio Tour: Home Studio Toronto, Ontario. 1998-2001

100 Prints: Open Studio, Toronto, Ontario. 1988-2002

Artist Proof Sale 1988- 2005

Open Studio: Created the Jack of Diamonds for Open Studio’s Artist created playing cards, 2005

View Art At

www.lindakblix.com, www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com, www.canartscene.com

PUBLISHED ARTICLE

Muskoka Magazine July 2003 Soapbox Column Re: Art Education in the Schools

REPRESENTED BY

Penny Varney Gallery Gravenhurst, Ontario

COLLECTIONS

Maclean Hunter, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Assante Financial Investors Group.

Private Collections in Canada and The United States 

DIRECTOR Artists Toronto. www.artiststoronto.net/ArtistsToronto.html

FOUNDER and Director The Café Society of Artists

MEMBERSHIPS Open Studio Printmakers Co-Operative www.openstudio.on.ca

Muskoka Arts and Crafts www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Used by York University Geology Professor

Available for viewing on Facebook

Linda Kristin Blix Bio

I was born five hundred miles north of Winnipeg, in The Pas, Manitoba.Wild horses ran in the streets, of this isolated and rustic town. As new parents, their sense of adventure as pilots and my father’s precarious job as a bush pilot, were given up for a more responsible life in the civilization of the city. We moved to Winnipeg when I was an infant, and did not return.

My love of Art has been a lifelong affair. My parents recognized my devotion to art early in my childhood. Later, in a life altering move, I left my home in Winnipeg at fifteen years of age, to attend a school in Minnesota with a strong reputation in visual arts. Upon my return to Winnipeg I attended The University of Manitoba, School of Fine Arts as a painting and printmaking major, before moving to the Toronto area and graduating with honours from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1997.

I have worked for many years as a professional Artist, utilizing the creative tools of printmaking, painting, drawing, photography, pottery and three-dimensional construction. Combining mediums in an original and unique manner has been my artistic focus and made creating fun! Curiosity and excitement towards the development of new techniques, influenced my own work and made for unusual and creatively satisfying projects. I pass this desire for personal creative innovation onto my students.

My love of colour and strong expressive lines is evident in my work. I have described myself as an eclectic artist, and my work over the years changed and evolved as I did! Exploration of new and exciting techniques has given me an extensive bag of creative tools for my use. It amuses me when the viewer has cause to wonder at the process behind the artwork.

For years, I avoided painting flowers as many other artists have painted them so well. With maturity, I realized you paint what you love, and I love flowers. They represent beauty and growth and are a most precious gift of natural colour. Much of my work is also figurative as humans portray emotions and tell stories best. Humour is another element I try to include in much of my work. It is important to me, not to take myself too seriously and art should reflect the enjoyment of the creator upon the observer.

Printmaking has been my chosen technique ever since doing my first wood cut relief print as a sixteen year old. I am still fascinated by the endless possibilities of all printmaking techniques. I am excited by the ability to make multiples, while enjoying the unexpected, the uncontrolled happenings and the delight as new images are revealed at the last moment. This is what has kept me motivated as a printmaker.

Though I use multiple mediums and subject matter in my work, my passion is figure drawing. The simplicity of materials, the intense focus that eliminates life’s clutter, exploration of the line and the challenges of change are necessary to my artistic well-being. Weekly figure drawing is my 'aerobics for the artist', and important to my creative nurturing.

I am fortunate to have a home studio in both Toronto and Muskoka, and be involved in both creative communities. My long term association with Open Studio, Canada’s foremost printmaking Studio, has given me the opportunity to gain inspiration from exceptional printmakers, and gain a venue to teach and display my art. 

Teaching Philosophy

Teaching as a creative cycle: your teaching inspires the students and they in return inspire you to teach the creativity you love.
I teach art because I love it, and wish to inspire others! It is an honour to share the technical skills I have acquired throughout my career. If a creative spark can be ignited in a young child, their life will forever be enriched. If an adult can be convinced to give themselves permission to create, to loosen up and have fun, their focus in life will also be altered in a most positive way.

Art is a language, unique to the individual. My goal as an instructor is to give my students the tools with which to express themselves, and encourage their confidence and artistic self expression. Children are born filled with creative intuition and talent, and require a safe and positive atmosphere in which to expand and develop their natural abilities. Adults must tap into their childlike nature, remember the freedom of youth, and allow themselves to create with beautiful spontaneity and joy!

My young students are instructed that it is not necessary to be able to draw objects that look “real” in order to make fantastic art! Should they wish to develop their drawing skills, it takes practice, just like learning to play a musical instrument or excel at a sport. Learning to draw is learning to (‘see’ what you are looking at) look closely at what you are observing.
 
Numerous interesting printmaking techniques enables the building of many fabulous workshops for both adults and children. Styrofoam relief prints, collographs, screen prints and monoprints are my favorites and I have witnessed all ages of students literally jump with joy and amazement at what they have created! The techniques are always fun, often using large nails and gadgets as the tools. The print is always a delightful surprise, not revealed until the last moment. This is very exciting for children and adults, like opening a present every time you pull a print. For adults, it removes the focus from the finished print, forces them to loosen up on their control and enjoy the experience of creating!

As a very young child, I was a day dreamer and doodler, not a perfect fit for the required patterns of the school system, I have a very strong opinion about Art in schools. My early art education proved to me, beyond a doubt, that if students are encouraged and nurtured to use their natural strengths, all aspects of their life will be enhanced. This includes benefits to self-confidence, an appreciation of the work and thoughts of others and a boost to their overall academics.

I am very blessed to have been an art facilitator for Arts for Children of Toronto, an organization that sends artists into underfunded schools around Toronto, for the past three years. My work with students of all ages and skill levels, including special needs children, could not possibly be more rewarding. To contribute to a job where you arrive with wonderful art supplies, to greet a class of welcoming students, eager with the anticipation of a day of creation... this is a truly fulfilling calling.