Carlton Cox - printmaker
Born 1962 in Tasmania
 

Carlton’s images are inspired by scenes from within his local surrounds, particularly the gardens, landscapes and historic properties of the Tasmanian northern midlands region. Carlton mostly uses the traditional technique of linocut, which evolved in the early 1900s from the age old art of woodblock printing. Linocut generally produces a bold image with the use of rich oil based inks that are layered to create a picture from individually hand carved blocks, one for every colour.

A small limited edition of unique art works are created from the blocks, each one with its own subtle difference. Each image takes many weeks to produce, from the intricate carving process to the pressing of inked plates on to heavy cotton paper. Every colour requires several days of drying before the next layer can be added, making a multi-colour work a lengthy process. Carlton says ‘It’s always rewarding to complete the final colour and finally see the image complete and come to life’.

Carlton has undertaken extensive training in printmaking, initially attending various workshops with local artists almost 20 years ago, as well as more recent subjects at the University of Tasmania, Glasgow Print Studio & the Fire Station Print Studio in Melbourne. Through his artistic development Carlton was inspired and influenced by local artists Denise Campbell, Kit Hiller and Diana Mills, as well as earlier iconic Australian linocut artists Margaret Preston and Dorrit Black. 

At his home at Longford, Carlton’s art studio is equipped with the specialised equipment and materials required to undertake etching and linocut at a professional level. Because printmaking is a detailed technical process where the artist builds the image as a negative before transferring the ink to paper, it is very different to working directly onto paper or canvas. ‘The complicated and challenging technical nature of printmaking is part of the attraction’, says Carlton.