The Art of Liv Rainey-Smith

2012 Portland H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival May 11-13th

Liv — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:09:02 +0000

"HPL"

The 2012 HPLFF is nearly upon us and I’m determined to crawl out of my art cave and enjoy the festival. “Early bird” discounts on tickets end today at 5pm. Discounts aside, procrastinators be warned, because the Hollywood theatre has upgraded their seats and installed tables in some theatres, there are less tickets available to begin with. The festival usually sells out during the night, but this year it might sell out ahead of time.

Last I heard, VIP tickets were down to just a couple available. VIP tickets include all of the goodies listed here, as well as a few unlisted items — such as a mini woodcut print from me!

Look for my display of fine editioned mythos woodcuts in the vendor’s room — we’ll have a number of framed and unframed works available including the nearly sold out Cthulhu necronomicon page and a few one-of-a-kind hand-colored proofs. Hope to see you there!

2012 Esoteric Book Conference

Liv — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:22:38 +0000

I’m sure by now you’ve noticed a distinct lack of blog updates here. I isn’t that nothing is happening, quite the opposite in fact! For the past few months I’ve been focused on creating on my largest body of work to date. As excited as I am, I’m not unveiling the new prints until later this year at the Seattle Esoteric Book Conference. Hope to see you there!

Sacrilege opening February 18th

Liv — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:42:37 +0000

Although I’ve been on hiatus from showings to allow myself time to focus on the creation of a large new body of work, I couldn’t say no to another group show at Congregation Gallery. I won’t be able to make the trip to Hollywood for the opening, but several of my newest prints will be in attendance.

“Sacrilege” features the work of:

Cam Rackam, Chris Peters, Tatomir, Steve Rodgers, Cory Urlacher, Cliff Wallace, Kat Gun, Matt Hughes, Scott Holloway, The Creep, John Charles, Laura Ziba, Don Farrell, Derek Harrison, Jeffery Figeroa, Cory Benhatzel, Jel Ena, Mary J. Sheridan, Sean Madden, Colm McCarthy, Jetnaiel Peterka, Jean-Paul Miller, Liv Rainey-Smith, and Yvette Endrijaustkies

Opening reception:
FEBRUARY 18th,2012
9:00-12:00 PM

The Congregation Gallery
7569 Melrose, Hollywood CA 90046

Prints from Children of Cain

Liv — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:39:36 +0000

At long last I am able to share the pieces created for Michael Howard’s newest book, Children of Cain. Appearance of these artworks in and on the books varies depending on the edition type (standard hardcover, deluxe hardcover, and special hardcover). Please see Three Hands Press for more information on the book editions.

As with all of my prints, these were hand carved in wood and printed on an etching press with archival oil based-black ink, and off-white Rives BFK. Each print is signed and numbered. A limited quantity of lower numbered prints are available as matched number portfolio sets. See below for further details and ordering information.

First class shipping has been included in the prices below, please select the international option if you are located outside the United States of America.

As always, please contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or would like to arrange for another form of payment.

Prints from Children of Cain Matched number set
Red folio containing one each of A Union, Evocation, Sabbatic Goat, and Succubus.

"A Union"

A Union

2011
Woodcut print
11 x 14” paper size
9 x 12″ block size
First Edition, signed and numbered
Edition of 25

"Evocation" woodcut print

Evocation

2011
Woodcut print
11 x 14″ paper size
9 x 12″ block size
First Edition, signed and numbered
Edition of 50

"Sabbatic Goat"

Sabbatic Goat

2011
11 x 14″ paper size
9 x 12″ block size
First Edition, signed and numbered
Edition of 50

"Succubus"

Succubus
8 x 10″ paper size
6 x 8″ block size
First Edition, signed and numbered
Edition of 35

Transitional time

Liv — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:59:56 +0000

It is with great sorrow I must announce the passing of my father, R. Alan Rainey on October 9th. His death was not unexpected but has affected me profoundly. Because he was so proud of my work, I put on a brave face for the last weekend of Portland Open Studios, but since then I’ve had to retreat somewhat from the world. He was one of my greatest supporters and I feel his loss keenly.

Dad’s death came just as I am embarking upon my largest project to date. He was very excited about it (as am I) and I will be working on it as planned — neither of us would have it any other way. I will, however, be stepping back from most of my planned events for the next few months, and will not be teaching the Atelier Meridian woodcut workshop for the time being.

News updates will likely be sparse in the coming months, but I will have work in the OCAC student & alumni holiday sale Thanksgiving weekend, and online orders will be fulfilled as usual. Pieces of my work will also be appearing this month in group shows in the Chicago area, Vancouver, Washington, and Granada, Nicaragua.

Many thanks to you, my friends, family, patrons, and colleagues for your support and understanding.

This is it! The last weekend of Portland Open Studios 2011

Liv — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:09:50 +0000

The elusive framed Fez Squid

The Portland Open Studios tour will be open from 10am-5pm this Saturday and Sunday October 15th & 15th! This weekend will be your last opportunity to visit the 100 participating artists as we work. Visit their website for a taste of the wide variety of studios opening their doors. Stop by my studio, #59 in the tour guide, for a first-hand look at woodcut printmaking in action. This is also a rare opportunity to see my entire body of work including unique artist proofs.

My studio-mate, Carolyne Landon, #58 in the tour guide, will also be showing a selection of her work as well as demonstrating various printmaking techniques including solar plate and giving previews of her upcoming Genesis app.

Unique hand-colored Brown Jenkin framed and ready to lurk on your wall

I’ll be continuing carving the large block seen in my last post, as well as printing the limited edition of Death and the Printmaker throughout the weekend. Death and the Printmaker prints will be available for purchase both framed (very limited quantity) and unframed — you can even get one right off the press if you like, though it will need some special care so it can dry properly.

Our studio, Atelier Meridian, is located at 665 N Tillamook Ave, Portland, OR 97227

Please click the address for a map view and note our section of N Tillamook is easily accessible via Interstate Avenue (but not much else). We’ll have signs out at nearby intersections and barring unusually severe weather, our big garage door will be up. Regardless of the weather, we’ll have hot spiced cider, coffee, light snacks, and a warm welcome for all visitors.

Atelier Meridian is both wheelchair accessible and friendly to all ages — though we do recommend keeping an eye on little ones as it is a working group studio and not toddler-proofed.

Open Studios

Liv — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 03:31:25 +0000

Carving in progress at Portland Open Studios Tour 2011

Portland Open Studios day one wrapped up at 5pm today. We had surprisingly nice weather — sunshine, warmth, occasional clouds — in other words, not at all typical October conditions. Word is tomorrow will be nowhere near as nice, but I’m thrilled to have even had one beautiful day during the tour because unless the weather is truly dreadful we keep the garage door open all day!

For those of you who couldn’t make it to Atelier Meridian today, here’s a peek at what I was up to. The photo to the right is of the carving I started today. It’s a 1×2 foot birch plywood block which when finished will function along with the print I’ll pull from it as both a sign and demonstration of the fact that I work backwards to get forwards results.

"Death and the Printmaker" woodblock and print

Next up is the 2nd edition of Death and the Printmaker. You might recall the first edition of this block was produced exclusively for La Calaca Press’ Day of the Dead themeed print exchange. The block turned out so well I couldn’t resist printing a 2nd edition on different paper, and since Open Studios is happening now, I’m printing the edition with an audience! I only printed 8 of 50 today, so stop in tomorrow or next weekend and see for yourself just what goes into fine art edition.

"Death and the Printmaker" signed and numbered 2nd edition

Want one but can’t make it in? Now through the end of Portland Open Studios tour, (October 16th), you can order Death and the Printmaker and receive free domestic or international shipping.

Edition details:

Edition of 50 hand pulled woodcut prints
Signed and numbered
Oil-based ink on acid-free cotton rag paper (all archival materials)
6×8 inch block 11×14 inch overall
$40.00

Many thanks to everyone who paid a visit to our studio today! If you’re planning on making the trip tomorrow (8/8/11) please be aware of Portland Marathon street closures and plan accordingly.

You are invited to my studio October 8, 9, 15, and 16th!

Liv — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:29:57 +0000

A limited edition run of "Death and the Printmaker" will be printed throughout both weekends

Coming up fast on the heels of a fantastic SOLD OUT H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival is the annual Portland Open Studios tour! This will be my 2nd year participating in the tour, and it is your opportunity to visit my studio for a first-hand look at the work that goes into creating woodcut prints. Of course this is also a great chance to get a look at my entire range of work including unique artist proofs and pieces I don’t currently offer online.

I’ll be carving a new block and printing a limited edition of Death and the Printmaker throughout both weekends. Carolyne Landon will also be showing a selection of her work as well as demonstrating various printmaking techniques and her portrait work. We’ll also be a Gateway Studio for the tour and as such will be a raffle entry drop-off point.

Our studio, Atelier Meridian is located at 665 N Tillamook Ave, Portland, OR 97227 Please click for a map view and note our section of N Tillamook is easily accessible via Interstate Avenue (but not much else).

Atelier Meridian is both wheelchair accessible and friendly to all ages — though we do recommend keeping an eye on little ones as it is a working group studio and not toddler-proofed.

Portland Open Studios 2011
Watch Artists at Work
October 8, 9, and 15, 16, 10am-5pm

A unique opportunity to experience art as it is being made in the artist’s own space. In their studios, watch any of 100 artists who paint, sculpt, draw, print, throw, carve, sew, and more. Ask about their tools and techniques. Learn more about art from the artists themselves.

Indulge your curiosity and buy a Tour Guide. Walk, bike, drive or bus to studios around the Portland metro area Saturday and Sunday, October 8, 9 and 15, 16, from 10am to 5pm. Read the blog for more information about individual artists and the interesting demos they have planned.

The $15 Tour Guide is a ticket for two adults, *children under 18 are free. Tour Guides can be purchased online at www.portlandopenstudios.com or are available at all New Seasons, Art Media, participating artists and many other retail locations throughout the Portland metro area. The Tour Guide contains a map, a catalog of artist’s images, coupons to many local retailers and a ticket for a raffle for some great prizes. If you would rather navigate the tour from your smart phone, then the Portland Open Studios iPhone app is your best ticket option. Studio navigation via Google Map, add notes for future reference and search artist by name or media all for the same price as a paper Tour Guide!

HPLFF & Portland Open Studios Tour

Liv — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 03:17:15 +0000

I still think Cthulhu should be red, but I've colored this one green for the purists.

Autumn has arrived in Portland, and with it comes rain, fallen leaves, and some of my favorite annual events!

This Friday and Saturday, on September 30th and October 1st, Arkham Bazaar will present a two-day H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival at the Hollywood Theater. Doors open each night at 7PM. You can pre-order one-day and two-day passes, or purchase them at the door.

The feature film for the first night of the Festival is the Lovecraft Historical Society’s presentation of Whisperer in the Darkness. On the second night, they will be showing Die Farbe, an adaptation of The Color Out of Space. I’m personally looking forward to both as they are two of my favorite stories and word in the street is both films are excellent.

I’ll of course be there with all my Lovecraft related prints, including several unique hand-colored prints such as that fine green fellow above.

Portland Open Studios

I will once more be participating in the Portland Open Studios on October 8-9 and 15-16. This annual juried tour includes 100 artists who will be opening their studio doors to you both weekends. It is an incredible opportunity to get a glimpse of the inner workings of a wide variety of working artists’ studios, so come see us work! Tour Guides can be purchased online at www.portlandopenstudios.com or are available at all New Seasons, Art Media, participating artists and many other retail locations throughout the Portland metro area.

Pickman’s Models — if Pickman lived in the 15th Century

Liv — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:55:40 +0000

Beware of Corpse-eaters in graveyards

At long last, the time has arrived to unleash the Ghouls:

These figures were seldom completely human, but often approached humanity in varying degree. Most of the bodies, while roughly bipedal, had a forward slumping, and a vaguely canine cast. The texture of the majority was a kind of unpleasant rubberiness. Ugh! I can see them now! Their occupations – well, don’t ask me to be too precise. They were usually feeding – I won’t say on what.

Pickman’s Model, H.P. Lovecraft

Cave Necrophagoi in sepulchris is a faithful reproduction of a page taken from a rare 15th century Latin translation of the dreaded Necronomicon. The text reads in Latin and Greek, “Beware of Corpse Eaters in cemeteries.” Depicted are three ghouls exulting as they prepare to unearth a fresh shrouded corpse. Scholars believe this image to be a warning to inexperienced necromancers. Note: the neologism “Necrophagoi” is of unknown origin but can be roughly translated to “Corpse Eaters.”

This limited edition print was conceived, carved, and printed by Liv Rainey-Smith using a host of small sharp gouges, a 9 x 12 inch woodblock, 11 x 14 inch Rives BFK paper, oil-based ink, and an etching press. No deities, forbidden tomes, or dreamers were harmed in the making of this work.

Edition of just 50 hand-pulled prints.