Old Town has been known as the center of the Lansing area art world for some time, but thanks to the new Linda J. Beeman Studio, it now also the home of a Japanese woodblock printing technique so rare, it's destined to put Old Town on the map for a whole new reason.
"It is a very unique and specialized technique," says Beeman. "Outside of Japan there are only about 100 of us that do this."
The rare nature of the non-toxic, Mokuhanga-style artwork, says Beeman, has to do with how labor intensive the printmaking process is. Several workers are typically required to design a print, carve the wood block and print a piece. Beeman does all of those things herself after falling in love with the process.
"The first one that I made was very simple," Beeman says, "and when I pulled it off the block for the first time, something within my soul came together, and I burst into tears. When you're an artist, to find that special medium where you belong, it gives you peace."
The Linda J. Beeman Studio opened on Feb. 3 and will be open for Old Town Gallery Walks and festivals, as well as for upcoming classes.
Source: Linda Beeman, Linda J. Beeman Studio
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor
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