Sean Star Wars

During his week at MATRIX Press in November 2013 Sean produced a beautiful four block color woodcut entitled "BASH" (edition of 44)

Sean’s work offers the viewer a broad view of contemporary satire.   His numerous woodcuts, cut in a rough, expressive style, reflect on everything from traditional images of Americana, to kitsch, southern culture and our 

own humanness.

This event is sponsored by the Jim and Jane Dew Visiting Artist Program, with additional funding provided by MATRIX Press and The Montana Museum of Art & Culture.

"BASH" 26"x36", 4 block color woodcut (edition of 44)

Beth Huhtala, Jason Clark and Tressa Jones punching paper for registration.

The Man at work.

Talking with printmaking class.

Sean cutting key block.

Sean with finished key block.

Key block inked up.

James Bailey rolling up the magenta block.

Printing magenta block.

Jason and Beth proofing cyan block.

Magenta and cyan blocks printed together.

Tressa and Beth printing yellow block.

Magenta, cyan and yellow blocks printed.

Eva, Jason and Beth printing yellow block.

Individual block proofs.

The Rack.

Printing the key image. (First finished print off the press)

Sean with first print.

Eva, Jim, Sean, Jason, Beth & Tressa.

Eva and Beth printing final key.

A thing of beauty to behold.

I would also like to thank the great print assistants we had on this project for without their dedication and long hours this project would not have been possible. - James Bailey, Professor & Director of MATRIX Press.

Jason Clark, Tressa Jones, Beth Huhtula & Eva Stone 

Artist Statement

You know what? I love making woodcuts!  The explosive energy I put into carving a woodcut suits my energy charged, caffeine induced, aggressive approach to image making. Charles Bukowski, Ms Pacman, Phillip Guston, and Neil Blender are my main influences.  Last night I finished a new woodcut. In the morning I’ll get started on a new one. On Christmas Eve, after the kids are in bed I’ll be cutting a block, I really do love it. I don’t spend a lot of time deliberating over what to draw next. I drink a lot of Mountain Dew, so I include Mountain Dew bottles in my artwork. I like ice cream cones, hot dogs, snakes, guns, alligators, goats,  and girls, so that’s what I draw. My primary concern is to create a strong visual infused with a sense of satirical humor. In other words, I like to tell funny stories using funny pictures.

-Sean Star Wars

Education 

2008   Certificate in Graphic Design.  Savannah College of Art and Design.  Savannah, GA.

1999   M.F.A.  Printmaking.  Louisiana State University (LSU).  Baton Rouge, LA.

1996   B.F.A.  Printmaking.  Old Dominion University (ODU).  Norfolk, VA.

Permanent Collections

New York Public Library System                                                   

HF Johnson Art Museum

Amity Art Foundation                    

Philadelphia Print Center

Northern Illinois University Art Museum                                       

University of Mississippi

New Orleans Museum of Art                                                          

Iowa State University

Parsons’ School of Design                                                                           

Pratt Institute

Spencer Museum                                                                            

Kennedy Museum

University of Kansas                                                                         

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Ohio University                                                                                  

Louisiana State University

Old Dominion University                                                                  

West Virginia University

Georgetown University