Kreg Yingst

I first became interested in relief prints when I discovered the woodcut novels of Lynd Ward, Frans Masereel, and other WPA artists in the mid 90’s. I was mesmerized by their strong contrasts of light and shadow, black and white. I quickly delved into the work of the German Expressionists and Mexican Socialists, and perhaps in some way, I’ve been influenced by all of them. My blockprints are carved out of linoleum – a compression of cork and linseed oil. I print each block on an old Showcard sign press, and the larger prints I burnish by hand. The choice of paper and style are important in trying to create the correct feel for the subject matter. My ideas are a result of my interests in narrative; story, poetry, lyric, and personal experience.