“A Sinking Feeling” by Zion Guzmán
Multi-block woodcut relief print, 18” x 24,” 2016

Zion Guzmán, a student at UW-Stout, will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art-Printmaking. He is also currently apprenticing at Rogue’s Gallery Tattoo in Menomonie. For more of his work, check out his Instagram: @goosemarn.

"Drawing from inspirations such as American traditional tattoo flash, 1940s superhero comic art, and the indigenous culture of my Mexican heritage, I create prints that are a reflection of me and all that inspires me. Primarily focusing in woodblock relief printmaking, I chose printmaking as my medium of choice due to the democracy of printmaking, the bold quality of line, and its materials. I begin with a clean, structured outline of my subject matter. The detail comes straight from the end of my chisel. The marks created by the end of a chisel as opposed to the end of a pencil are drastically different. I’m familiar enough with my tools to know what kind of marks I can make without having to draw them out. This methodology gives me freedom from my original intent and puts me at the mercy of my medium." – The Artist