Yesterday I spent my birthday in a 7-hour woodcut workshop with Charles Spitzack through Northwind Art School.
I decided to make the Adams Pragge House.
The process was far more physical than I expected -- sketching, reversing the image, transferring it to the block, carving away everything that would remain white, testing proofs, carving again, then finally making the print.
One of the things I loved most was how architectural the process felt. The image only emerges through removal. Every cut changes the structure of what remains.
It also made me think differently about the house itself -- about line, silhouette, shadow, ornament, and what details are essential enough to survive reduction.
By the end of the day the table was covered in wood shavings and proof prints, and my hands hurt in a very satisfying say.
I came home exhausted and very happy to finish celebrating my birthday.
Thank you, Charlie, for an extraordinary class.
☀️🏞️ Looking forward to Exploring Landscape through Woodcut, an exciting 3-week online workshop with the ever inspiring Charles Spitzack!
@spitzattack
Mediums: Printmaking
Level: All levels welcome
Tuesdays, May 5-26
10:00 am-noon Pacific Time
Explore how trees, water, sky, and terrain can be translated into bold, graphic compositions carved from woodblocks.
Over four weekly sessions, this class guides students through the full process of learning printmaking, from developing imagery and planning compositions to carving woodblocks and hand-printing finished prints. Emphasis is placed on creating a sense of depth, atmosphere, and place through the language of woodcut.
Learn more at winslowartcenter.com
#woodcutprinting #printmaking #printmakingworkshop #creativity #artcommunity
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to assist @spitzattack with a great Mokuhanga workshop at @prattfinearts This was a remarkably talented group of students who produced unique and original prints. The next opportunity to take this workshop is Saturday and Sunday, May 23 - 24, 2026 (2 sessions). More information is here -/classes/7988
Big thank you to everyone who made tonight happen, and to all who came through to say hi and catch some art in action. Such a great night! ⚡️ ✨ ⚡️
@lmntheshop for hosting!
@zamuramaria@fieryseaslug for printing!
@kerstingraudins@pconcave for hanging art
@ddcorey for helping set up
It takes a village! #seattleprintarts
Thrilled to welcome artist Charles Spitzack for Botanical Woodcuts: The Art of Relief Printmaking, a dynamic online workshop!
@spitzattack
Mediums: Printmaking
Level: All levels welcome
Tuesdays, March 3-24
10:00 am-noon Pacific Time
Discover the art of woodcut printmaking through the organic forms and rhythms of botanicals. In this 4-week workshop, you’ll transform trees, plants, and foliage into bold, layered woodcut prints.
Drawing from traditional and contemporary woodcut techniques, you’ll learn to design, carve, and print compositions inspired by branching structures, leaf patterns, and natural textures. We’ll hand-print on Japanese washi using Cranfield Safe Wash Relief Inks, which are safe, easy to clean, and ideal for home studios.
This class is suitable for students with some printmaking experience as well as beginners just starting out. Beginners will also have access to supplemental videos on woodcut techniques. With a focus on experimentation and composition, the workshop encourages you to explore botanical forms in a fresh and expressive way.
Learn more at winslowartcenter.com
#reliefprinting #printmakingart #winslowartcenter #charlesspitzack #botanicalprint
Workshop: Mokuhanga: Japanese Woodblock
Instructor(s): Charles Spitzack & Kathleen Hargrave
Location: Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA
Dates: March 28 - 29, 2026
Time: 10am - 5pm
Workshop Description:
This two-day intensive workshop explores the art of Mokuhanga (Japanese Woodblock). This technique, which blossomed during Japan’s Edo period (1600-1868), uses water-based pigments to create vibrant prints on washi paper. Unlike many Western printmaking methods, Mokuhanga is done entirely by hand. You will be guided through each step of the process. There will be demonstrations that are essential to carving the block and how to efficiently transfer your design onto the primary and additional blocks, allowing for multi-colored prints. Learn about proper tool maintenance, including sharpening traditional hand carving tools, paper selection and preparation. You will gain a solid foundation in Mokuhanga and leave with your own set of completed prints. This workshop is for both beginners and those looking to experence traditional Japanese woodblock printing.
Registation Link: /classes/7809
@spitzattack / @kathleenhargrave
Two days left to submit your work to be part of Pratt’s 50th Anniversary Auction: Kaleidoscope!
In the meantime, we’d like to highlight a few of our many incredible donating artists and shout out artist, Pratt 2D instructor, and 2025 Juror’s Excellence Award Winner, Charles Spitzack (he/him)!
Check out Charles Spitzack's (@spitzattack ) artful adventures with Pratt (below):
“My adventures at Pratt started when I began teaching woodcut printmaking. I had no idea what doors that would open or how transformative it would be. Being part of the Pratt community has shaped me as both an instructor and artist in ways I never anticipated, and exposed me to so many beautiful people and techniques. I'm so grateful for the creative environment Pratt fosters, and I truly cannot imagine a Seattle without it.”
If you resonate with Charles and feel inspired to get your art in the mix for Kaleidoscope, please submit your work by this Sunday, January 18th by 11:59PM (PST) to be considered!
🔗Visit pratt.org/annual-auction for all submission information. Can’t wait to see what you share!
ID: Artwork: “Open Doors" by Charles Spitzack for the 2025 Pratt in Bloom: Art Sale. hand pulled woodcut print on 24g gampi paper | 14 x 12.5 | 2025.
