April from Nicky - Kermit Oliver

Our printmaker pen pal Nicky carved the sweetest little kittens hatching out of pods on a tree.

Here it is on white paper. It's adorable - although the bottom kitten on the right looks like he's in a predicament.

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Here is a printmaking related add-on. There is a "reclusive" artist in Texas (Kermit Oliver) who has been creating designs for Hermes scarves since 1980. He was also a postal worker for 30 years. It's an amazing story.  You may read about him here:

https://iconiclife.com/kermit-oliver-the-texas-mailman-who-designed-hermes-most-iconic-scarves/

Then, if you have 15 minutes, you can watch a video that shows the steps it takes to make a Hermes scarf. The process of converting original art to screens for printing is amazing.  So is the weaving of the silk and the hand work on the hem. It takes 2 years to learn how to hem and one person can only hem 7 scarves per day. 

Does anyone really need a scarf like that? Technically, no. However, the video discusses that there are people - craftsmen - who are smitten with the kind of work involved in making *fine* things. They simply earn their living doing things they enjoy doing and they do not lust after the luxurious items they produce.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH7WXKeYcjE

This design is Kachina.

I put the word "reclusive" in quotes. Other people chose that word in their articles - I think it's fine to keep to one's self. I wouldn't even use the word introvert. I admire him for not being drawn into situations that he prefers to skip.