Nusye McComish – SouthSeaEyes

This personal project is a heartfelt tribute to one of the lovelist family I know.

Amidst the era of mass-produced, AI-produced art, I put forward a unique and personal approach to storytelling, via the ancient art of block printing (note: the art form is ancient, not me, albeit yes, alright I am more seasoned than some others), combined with acrylics painting. Combining meticulously hand-carved block prints with vibrant acrylic painting, this artwork demands dedication, patience, and a deep understanding of human expressions. It’s an ideal medium for capturing the essence of family bonds, connections, and dynamics.

This is a bespoke collection, consisting of individual hand-carvd blocks, celebrating the unity and individuality of a loving family. The aim of the piece is as testament to the power of hand-crafted blockprint art – where every line, every curve and colour, is carefully considered to convey the personality and character of each family member.

The blockprint features Dad Z, Mum M, their three daughters, Z, S and M, and adopted kitty, K. All meticulously hand-carved from photographs for their likeness. The hand-painted acrylic background in rich vermillion and gold symbolises prosperity and good fortune, adding depth and meaning to the portrait.

Creating this piece has been a profound learning experience in my printmaking journey. From intricate hand-carving to capturing micro-expressions, every aspect of this project is a labour of love. The result is a one-of-a-kind artwork that not only captures the family’s likeness but also tells their unique story.

From a pragmatic point of view, I wanted to create a vessel to contain the prints from the portrait blocks, beyond the family portrait. To this point, I carefully selected intricate and thematic blocks, arranged a lovely sheet of soft white 300gsm Somerset paper into a concertina, and used beeswaxed cotton thread to stitch the pages together. Hand-mixing small batches of inks allowed for layered printing, adding tones and textures to the final prints.

Once the ink dried, I began stitching, preparing the book cover with a beautifully marbled paper from Anna at Marbling Magpie.

This labour of love has resulted in a multifaceted collection of blockprints; where each piece is a tribute to the family. From hand-carving of the blocks and the combined prints enhanced with hand-painted acrylics for the wall-art; To the careful stitching of the hand-bound book, every element is a reflection of the family’s essence captured as objets d’art. The charms and significance of handcrafted art are evident in every detail—each carefully selected colour of hand-mixed ink, and every stitch, is fo and about the family. This collection aspires to become a cherished family heirloom, a tangible reminder of the importance of preserving our stories and traditions through art, to be treasured for generations to come.

Towards continual learning,

Your printmaker,

Nusye