Bryan Nash Gill

During week one I was researching artist references that could help me with my project and I came across an American artist/sculptor who worked primarily with wood called Bryan Nash Gill who uses wood logs to create unique and inspiring relief prints and sculptures. This artist was really intriguing to me as I had previously used a wood log slice to paint from, so this artist was perfect to look at as he was related to my current body of work.

Bryan Nash Gill's artwork is fascinating, he uses a burning technique which dries out the wood and then using a wire brush he can raise the grain in the wood log stump. By watching several of his videos, I have learnt a similar method which has been incredibly useful when making my own prints.

Gill’s prints are amazing and unique, he uses all sorts of various kinds of wood like ash, oak, cedar etc. to get distinctive prints. Gill would use relief inks which he applies using a roller and then rolls the paper out and would hand press the image using spoons and other implements. The prints are incredibly different each time, and you can see every detail of the wood stump.

A quote I found inspiring from Bryan Nash Gill was "That's something I like about art, is its a process of discovery. A process of learning. A process of putting yourself on the edge and having the courage to go fourth and see what happens and learn from the process"

Ash (2003) Paper Size : 57" x 57" Image Size : 49 3/4" x 46 1/4"

White Oak Burl (2011) Size : 26 3/4" x 17"