Artist in Residence: Tom Killion
A Japanese-style wood block artist visits campus and classes.
All year long, the campus welcomes visiting scholars, artists in residence, and other guests who share their special expertise. Some become members of the campus community for extended periods of time, others are here only briefly to deliver lectures or meet with students.
Recently, we welcomed a Japanese-style woodcut artist to campus for a week-long stay.
Visitor: Tom Killion, a specialty artist in Japanese-style wood block and and lino-cut prints.
His current work: Tom is about a year away from completing his most recent project: a new edition of The Coast of California. The book will contain many new prints of the California coast and include poetry from and interviews with Gary Snyder.
What he did on campus: Tom visited both beginner and advanced art classes while at Thacher. In the upper level art class, Tom worked with students on printmaking with linoleum blocks. On Tuesday night after formal dinner, he gave a presentation to interested members of the community on his work (past, present, and future) and some background on the Japanese-style wood block printing method. Additionally, Tom found time to visit with friends local to the Ojai Valley and work on his current California coastline project (which included sketching Point Conception at Hollister Ranch).
His impressions of Thacher: The students at Thacher are very motivated. My hope is to generate a spark, make a little impression, that reaches even one or two people and inspires them. The lower level art class seemed to appreciate my work, but it was great working with Ms. Mahoney's upper level art class on the linoleum block printing. Thacher is a wonderful school, and Ojai is a wonderful place.
Our impressions of him:
Tom Killion's work was very inspiring and relevant to me, since I live close to Mount Tam, and really love going to Yosemite. His woodcuts prompted me to try a landscape on a linoleum block, and I had a great time learning how to create a scene through carving and printing and working out the negative and positive spaces of my subject. —Sienna Currie '15
It was interesting to see and try a different type of art than we are used to in our classes... and pretty cool to hear him describe his process and get to go through it ourselves in a way. —Annie LeFevre '14
It was fascinating to see Mr. Killion's work and to learn about the process of creating the wood blocks, layering colors on colors until the detailed finished product is truly remarkable. It is a time consuming process that requires detail and patience and the results are quite rewarding. —Ciara Byrne '14
The AP & Adv. kids really liked carving the linoleum blocks. Some of them expressed interest in continuing with trying out printing. His work and process was amazing to see. He is an amazing craftsman. —Liz Mahoney
I attended Tom's talk on Tuesday evening. I was fascinated by the intricacy of his process. One print can require eight to ten blocks, some of the blocks carved repeatedly in a reduction process. I was also inspired by his approach to sketching, the way he breaks down a landscape into multiple layers in anticipation of carving the wood blocks. I was impressed that his techniques and style have continued to develop over the years. Even after twenty years of practice, he discovers new approaches to achieve different results. I was also impressed that he has never bought into the fine art world of galleries and agents. Instead, he has maintained his independence by representing himself and marketing his work on his own. —Bo Manson
His block prints and the process that he uses is inspiring! He is hugely talented! —Bill Omansiek
We were so fortunate to have this amazingly talented and well know artist with us. His talk Tuesday night was excellent and gave a real insight to his process. We were very lucky to see his limited edition hand made book. Not many people get to see it!
Loved his week. —Julie Manson
Tom's public presentation of his work–film and still photos–showed the many layers of his creative process. He was an articulate and joyful speaker who inspired the audience with his vision, commitment, and artistic ethic. As Liz suggests, he is a remarkable artist and we were fortunate to have him here. —Jake Jacobsen
I loved the light and drama in the Twin Pines. It had added meaning when combined with the poem. His prints reminded me of Japanese wood blocks with a modern twist. I wish I could have seen him in action. How great for the students to have a chance to work with him! —Chris Williams
To see more about Tom and his work visit his website.
Back
Recently, we welcomed a Japanese-style woodcut artist to campus for a week-long stay.
Visitor: Tom Killion, a specialty artist in Japanese-style wood block and and lino-cut prints.
His current work: Tom is about a year away from completing his most recent project: a new edition of The Coast of California. The book will contain many new prints of the California coast and include poetry from and interviews with Gary Snyder.
What he did on campus: Tom visited both beginner and advanced art classes while at Thacher. In the upper level art class, Tom worked with students on printmaking with linoleum blocks. On Tuesday night after formal dinner, he gave a presentation to interested members of the community on his work (past, present, and future) and some background on the Japanese-style wood block printing method. Additionally, Tom found time to visit with friends local to the Ojai Valley and work on his current California coastline project (which included sketching Point Conception at Hollister Ranch).
His impressions of Thacher: The students at Thacher are very motivated. My hope is to generate a spark, make a little impression, that reaches even one or two people and inspires them. The lower level art class seemed to appreciate my work, but it was great working with Ms. Mahoney's upper level art class on the linoleum block printing. Thacher is a wonderful school, and Ojai is a wonderful place.
Our impressions of him:
Tom Killion's work was very inspiring and relevant to me, since I live close to Mount Tam, and really love going to Yosemite. His woodcuts prompted me to try a landscape on a linoleum block, and I had a great time learning how to create a scene through carving and printing and working out the negative and positive spaces of my subject. —Sienna Currie '15
It was interesting to see and try a different type of art than we are used to in our classes... and pretty cool to hear him describe his process and get to go through it ourselves in a way. —Annie LeFevre '14
It was fascinating to see Mr. Killion's work and to learn about the process of creating the wood blocks, layering colors on colors until the detailed finished product is truly remarkable. It is a time consuming process that requires detail and patience and the results are quite rewarding. —Ciara Byrne '14
The AP & Adv. kids really liked carving the linoleum blocks. Some of them expressed interest in continuing with trying out printing. His work and process was amazing to see. He is an amazing craftsman. —Liz Mahoney
I attended Tom's talk on Tuesday evening. I was fascinated by the intricacy of his process. One print can require eight to ten blocks, some of the blocks carved repeatedly in a reduction process. I was also inspired by his approach to sketching, the way he breaks down a landscape into multiple layers in anticipation of carving the wood blocks. I was impressed that his techniques and style have continued to develop over the years. Even after twenty years of practice, he discovers new approaches to achieve different results. I was also impressed that he has never bought into the fine art world of galleries and agents. Instead, he has maintained his independence by representing himself and marketing his work on his own. —Bo Manson
His block prints and the process that he uses is inspiring! He is hugely talented! —Bill Omansiek
We were so fortunate to have this amazingly talented and well know artist with us. His talk Tuesday night was excellent and gave a real insight to his process. We were very lucky to see his limited edition hand made book. Not many people get to see it!
Loved his week. —Julie Manson
Tom's public presentation of his work–film and still photos–showed the many layers of his creative process. He was an articulate and joyful speaker who inspired the audience with his vision, commitment, and artistic ethic. As Liz suggests, he is a remarkable artist and we were fortunate to have him here. —Jake Jacobsen
I loved the light and drama in the Twin Pines. It had added meaning when combined with the poem. His prints reminded me of Japanese wood blocks with a modern twist. I wish I could have seen him in action. How great for the students to have a chance to work with him! —Chris Williams
To see more about Tom and his work visit his website.
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