Jeff believes, as far as he knows, he may be one of only a handful of reduction woodcut printmakers who uses an antique cast-iron bookbinding screw press to make his impressions.
"As an artist, the Erie County Fair has been extremely important to me - months after beginning my journey as a printmaker, I entered my very first reduction woodcut in the fair, taking home a red ribbon. I have entered at least one piece in almost every fair since, collecting ribbons of all colors, as well as a few special awards, along the way. It has become an unmissable tradition for my wife (also a fine, ribbon-winning crafter) and me."
When Jeff submitted his sketch, he described his design as such;
"to highlight all that is happening on any given day - food, rides, animals, entertainment. My concept was to offer 12 rectangles, each full of a reminder of what's happening at the fair, from the opening day celebration, to the final fireworks, there is always something going on, for everyone. Each block will be an exciting color background, with the subject in silhouette, giving a dynamic, yet rustic, suggestion of activities that fill The 12 Best Days of Summer. I believe woodcut is the perfect medium for this poster, as it evokes the early days of the Fair, when show posters were made with hand-carved blocks and printed on a letterpress."
