Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sean Starwars, Outlaw Printer

SEAN STARWARS

One of the treats of the Printpalooza was being introduced to a new artist, Sean Starwars.  Sean's work stands out and almost hits you smack in the face when you walk into a room.  It can not be ignored. It is bold and dynamic.  His work calls out to you as if a tv set that is on and sending out cultural sos signals and images of  Darth Vader Mississippi,  dinosaurs, Mountain Dew cans, robots and guns. His work is edgy funky modern, but hailing from a printing past of rich tradition from the Japanese Wood Block Prints. Sean's work has humor and hints of fun behind a deeper message of cultural icons and myth.  
Sean is generous warm engaging and passionate about his art and printmaking.  He is productive and energetic in his approach to his work.  He recently committed himself to a project doing 52 wood block carvings and prints...one a week!  And he did it!  Sean teaches high school art, is married and has 4 children.  With all that he finds time to be a productive artist.  I admire that.  I have heard many a teacher say that don't have time to do art because they are teaching art.  I think it is essential to do both.  One makes you a better artist, the other makes you a better teacher, and both make you a better human being.
Sean told me about the history of Outlaw Printmakers which I was clueless about.  So I decided to dedicate myself to researching about the Outlaw printers that started in the 1990's and write an article for you.  That will be our next post, the history of Outlaw Printing.



Sean talking to Betsy Wood who brought her University students to the even


  Printpalooza  at the Leepa Rattner Museum


varying carving tools
Carving tools Set


laying out the design





Working on Birch Wood
Just love the simplicity of this photo



Fox in the Hen House






stack of wood block carvings ready for printing
demonstrating for the kids
Portrait of Sean without Sean

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