We wish we could scream Dave Lefner's name from every roof top-he is that talented. We first learned about Dave through an article that the LA times wrote on him a couple of years ago [since then we've become his very own art stalker]. What initially caught our attention was his subject of old neon, which is a long time favorite around our home.
To explain his technique of linoleum reductions is extremely difficult, we're pretty art savvy around here and we still had to take a class in it to fully understand the technique. Basically, it is separating an image into color layers, then carving those colors lightest to darkest. Each color printing separately, each time carving more from the block, until the darkest color is printed at the end.
Did we mention this is all from one block of linoleum? One wrong move and the whole thing is screwed. Since the block can never be reused, it creates a limited edition fine art print. It is old craftsmanship in a digital world.
Mr. Lefner is having an open house of his new work this weekend during the Brewery Art Walk open house. If you want to see his work, you'll have to go to him, he's a low-tec kinda guy and doesn't have a website [though we continue to beg].
If you're looking for something to do this weekend we highly recommend checking him out as well as the other artists in this very neat live/work space. With FREE admission & parking how can you say no?
Brewery Art Walk and Open House
620 Moulton Avenue,
Dave's studio: Studio 212
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Main Street exit @ the 5 Freeway near Downtown LA
FREE admission & secured parking
if you're curious about the technique- a visual description of reduction printing can be found here
Like this? The original master is Robert Cottingham. Check artnet.com.
His studio is one of my favorite stops on the art walk - his work is just clean and strong and yet still elegant - it doesn't fall into the *design* catagory that the subject matter and medium could so easily take it to.
Also - at least last April - he had a great step by step display of his actual process. Very much worth the trip upstairs!
(OT - And that Olive Motel signage is some of my favorite on Sunset...)
Thanks for the link Jade. I checked out Robert's work and it seems the subject matter is the same but the techique is quiet different. Robert seems [from the info on artnet.com] to be a traditional painter [then turned into a litho] while Dave's work begins as a carving and then is printed.
The linoleum carving adds a level of difficulty [having to carve a mirror image first, levels of color ect] that is unparallel to painting.
Robert's work is beautiful though