Chick with a Letterpress: Artist Cindy Tomczyk
December 6, 2010 No Comments
Introducing Cindy Tomczyk
Now, normally I would be fiercely protecting the idea that: just because I love my guitar does NOT mean I want any guitar art or tchotchke. In fact, just the opposite. But the exception to the rule for me was artist Cindy Tomczk, who I found on Etsy. I’ve worked most of my day job life in graphic design and advertising and am an ardent fan of the visual arts in general. Cindy’s work caught my eye for its fluidity and its organic nature – and the fact that she uses a (likely) dying art form: the letterpress.
I’m thinking she’d be a great artist for a CD cover. You heard it here first.
Websites:
art prints / illustration: http://www.etsy.com/shop/cindytomczykart
letterpress card company,
Paper Parasol Press: www.paperparasolpress.com / http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperparasol
Hometown: Chicago
As you know, I’m a fan of your artwork – I bought a letterpress print of a guitar and a lovely chick with guitar. The letterpress process has such a nice, organic appeal to it. Can you briefly describe the process and your attraction to working with it?
I carry my sketchbook everywhere and ideas come from this. Once I find a sketch I like I usually put a little more detail into it, scan it, and clean it up in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. When I am happy with a design I have polymer plates made so that I can print each color on the press. Each color has to be printed separately. As an illustrator, I was really drawn to the printmaking process. I wanted to be able to do a limited run of prints that still had a handmade quality to them. Each print is hand pulled on my Vandercook #3 (this press was made in the mid-1950′s), so there may be slight variations on each print. I work on a computer all day, so it’s nice to escape to my studio, spend some time with my press and create something tangible.
Do you play any musical instruments?
I played the alto saxophone for five years growing up and currently do not play any instruments. I would love to start taking either banjo or guitar lessons. My boyfriend plays guitar, so that may be a good one to start with!
What kind of music do you listen to?
Mostly indie rock, experimental, folk, bluegrass, and a little country.
Where do you find your artistic inspiration? What made you choose (among other things) banjos, guitars and chicks with guitars?
My inspiration comes from musicians I admire or attending one of their shows. After a show, I can’t wait to get home and start sketching! The banjos are a result of listening to a lot of bluegrass music. There’s something very Americana about banjos and I wanted to explore this culture a little more in my art. I also like combining both my love for American folk art with European folk art. For example, my print of a guitar with a Polish Wycinanki design is a result of this.
I’m influenced by many talented ladies like: Sarah Balliet from Murder by Death (have plans for a cello piece in the future!), the ladies of Eisley, Anni Rossi, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Zoey Deschanel, Neko Case, El Perro Del Mar… just to name a few! Recently, I have had great luck working with two talented women on their album covers. I designed Andrea Asprelli of Atlantic Flyway’s album cover and provided images of my letterpress illustrations to Ola of Fulka out of South Africa. It was an honor to work with both ladies and such a good fit. Plus, I love their music!
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www.cindytomczyk.com | illustration
www.paperparasolpress.com | cards galore
http://cindytillustration.wordpress.com
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