The journey of an artist is a winding one. You make the decision to start, not knowing where it will take you. Over time, if you're fortunate, you build a career from your work while gaining the freedom to explore new forms of expression, with each project becoming an important and affirming part of that journey.
In this episode of The Unfinished Print, I speak with Mariko Jesse, a professional illustrator who has integrated mokuhanga into her artistic practice. Mariko draws inspiration from her life experiences, sharing insights on her family and travels. We discuss how living in San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Japan has shaped her outlook and creative process. Mariko also reflects on her involvement with MI Lab, now based in Echizen, Japan, as well travelling to the International Mokuhanga Conference in April 2024. Finally, we explore Mariko's collaborations with The Mokuhanga Sisters and wood+paper+box, and how these partnerships shape her own artistic practice.
Nagasawa Art Park (MI Lab) Awaji City - Nagasawa Art Park was an artist-in-residence program located in Awaji City, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It was open for 12 years before evolving into MI Lab in 2012. More info,
here.
Yoonmi Nam - is a contemporary mokuhanga printmaker, lithographer, sculptor, and teacher, based in Lawrence, Kansas. Her work can be found, here. Her interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here.
From Yoonmi Nam's exhibition Among Other Things, as seen at The University at Buffalo Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY (2024) photo by me.
Katie Baldwin - is a contemporary mokuhanga printmaker, illustrator, book maker, and artist based in Huntsville, Alabama. Her work can be found, here. Her interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here.
Looking For Different Places to Call Home, from the series Family Tree (2004) 18"x14" mokuhanga and letterpress
Ralph Kiggell (1960-2022) - was one of the most important mokuhanga practitioners. Originally from England, Ralph lived and worked in Thailand. Ralph pushed the boundaries of mokuhanga with extremely large pieces, jigsaw carving, and by using fantastic colour. He also worked with the International Mokuhanga Conference to promote mokuhanga around the world. He will be greatly missed. Ralph's work can be found, here. His obituary in The Guardian can be found, here. His interview with The Unfinished Print can be found, here.
Leaf Change
linocut -A linocut is a relief or block print type, similar to woodblock printing. The artist carves an image into a linoleum block, printing what's left.
Central Saint Martins - is a renowned art and design college in London, formed in 1989 through the merger of St Martin’s School of Art and the Central School of Art and Crafts, both known for their innovative, hands-on teaching methods. It later integrated the Drama Centre London and the Byam Shaw School of Art. Central Saint Martins continues its tradition of radical art and design education while adapting to modern shifts in its disciplines and teaching approaches.
intaglio printing - is a printing method, also called etching, using metal plates such as zinc, and copper, creating “recessed” areas which are printed with ink on the surface of these "recesses.” More info,
here. The MET has info,
here.
Into The Garden (mokuhanga printed book)
cat + jug (etching)
A4 paper size - is a size of paper from the ISO 216 standard, with the dimensions of 210x297 mm.
Summer Blooms (2021)
MI Lab - is a mokuhanga residency located in Echizen, Fukui, Japan. More info can be found,
here.
The Mokuhanga Sisters - are a mokuhanga collective consisting of Yoonmi Nam, Mariko Jesse, Lucy May Schofield, Melissa Schulenberg, Kate MacDonagh, Katie Baldwin, Mia-O, Patty Hudak, and Natasha Norman.
Instagram
Masaban - was the exhibition held at the Udatsu Paper Museum in Echizen, Fukui, Japan in April, 2024. More info can be found,
here.
Udatsu Paper & Craft Museum - is a museum dedicated to washi and its history. More information can be found, here.
gomazuri - is a mokuhanga technique where slight pressure is used with pigments to make a “spotty” image, what look like sesame seeds. It can add depth to your prints.
Paul Binnie - Travels with the Master: New York Night T/P 11 3/8" by 8 1/8"
Awaji Island - located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. It is considered the birthplace of Japan in the *Kojiki* (Records of Ancient Matters), as the first island created by the gods Izanagi and Izanami in Japanese mythology. Historically, Awaji was a strategic point for maritime trade and travel, linking the Kansai region with Shikoku and Kyushu. During the Edo period, it was part of Tokushima Domain under the rule of the Hachisuka clan. Today, Awaji is known for its natural beauty, traditional industries like Awaji Ningyo Joruri (puppet theater), and as the site of the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting it to mainland Japan.
弁 - is the Chinese character for ben, "dialect."
Kansai (関西地方) - is a region located on the main island of Honshu, Japan, which encompasses the Prefectures of Nara, Kyoto, Wakayama, Osaka, Hyōg
United States
