Orpheus and the Sirens 1983

This is "Orpheus and the Sirens" by James Lesesne Wells, made using woodcut printmaking techniques. I love how the vibrant colors and bold marks pull you right into the scene. The way Wells uses the woodcut technique, it's less about perfection and more about the energy of the cut, the grain, the textures he coaxes out of the wood. Check out the water, those concentric lines. The texture is created by the gouges left by the cutting tool, giving it a real sense of movement. Then look at the sky, those radiating lines giving such energy and even menace to the scene. It reminds me that art isn't just about pretty pictures, it's about process and physicality too. Wells work reminds me a little of the German Expressionist woodcut artists, like Kirchner, who were also interested in working with narrative themes, but with less emphasis on the linear. For Wells, and for me, I think it’s about embracing the unpredictable nature of the material and letting the art speak through the process.