Moku Hanga Woodblock Print Artist

The waters and nature of the Great Lakes are the inspirations for the Mokuhanga prints of Michigan environmental artist, Linda J. Beeman. Living in the northeastern lower peninsula, she seeks out the common beauty found in the lakes, rivers, and wetlands to transform into her art. She is passionate about showcasing and conserving these natural areas and capturing them in the ancient and complex Japanese art form of Mokuhanga.

Learning from scientists, conservationists, and park rangers, as well as her own experiential wanderings, the art she creates is embedded with the soul of place. From Mt. Fuji, Japan to Petrified Forest National Park of Arizona, understanding the eco-history of the world informs her works of Michigan.

Mokuhanga – Moku means wood and Hanga means print. A woodblock is carved for each color while overlaying blocks create second, third and fourth colors. Water base pigments are brushed on to each block and then hand printed onto Japanese washi (paper). Each print may have 2 to 12 or more hand carved woodblocks. Traditionally, Mokuhanga was created by workshops of artisans – some carving parts of blocks and some printing. Linda designs, carves and prints each one herself. For that reason, editions are usually very limited and never reprinted.

Known for her subtle, quiet colors, Linda’s prints transport the viewer to a place of peace that is worth knowing and protecting.

A Message from Linda

I am an environmental artist working exclusively in the ancient water-based Japanese art of moku hanga — woodblock print.

This medium gives me subtleties of color and tone unavailable in other mediums. 

The spiritual connection that I find in the creation of the print is extremely important to me. The process is quiet, calming and meditative. Carving individual wood blocks for each color in the print, isolated profiles are separated and then joined again. This exploration of forms within a space creates a deeper, intimate encounter with nature. The emotional, physical and spiritual energy I use to create a print somehow becomes embedded within it to reveal the heart and spirit of a location.

Primarily showing wilderness landscapes and waterscapes, and, having the four seasons of imagery at my disposal, it is a joy to showcase the beauty, diverse ecology, geography and healing value of our world through my prints. 

I am taking you to a destination, a secret place that you can experience and will want to know personally. Creating a sense of stillness and peace and shelter…the journey awakens you to the vulnerability of our natural spaces. The significance of protection is stimulated.

The rarely noticed or hidden becomes elevated to the sacred.

Demonstration Videos

Moku Hanga Woodblock Print Artist

The waters and nature of the Great Lakes are the inspirations for the Mokuhanga prints of Michigan environmental artist, Linda J. Beeman. Living in the northeastern lower peninsula, she seeks out the common beauty found in the lakes, rivers, and wetlands to transform into her art. She is passionate about showcasing and conserving these natural areas and capturing them in the ancient and complex Japanese art form of Mokuhanga.

Learning from scientists, conservationists, and park rangers, as well as her own experiential wanderings, the art she creates is embedded with the soul of place. From Mt. Fuji, Japan to Petrified Forest National Park of Arizona, understanding the eco-history of the world informs her works of Michigan.

Mokuhanga – Moku means wood and Hanga means print. A woodblock is carved for each color while overlaying blocks create second, third and fourth colors. Water base pigments are brushed on to each block and then hand printed onto Japanese washi (paper). Each print may have 2 to 12 or more hand carved woodblocks. Traditionally, Mokuhanga was created by workshops of artisans – some carving parts of blocks and some printing. Linda designs, carves and prints each one herself. For that reason, editions are usually very limited and never reprinted.

Known for her subtle, quiet colors, Linda’s prints transport the viewer to a place of peace that is worth knowing and protecting.

A Message from Linda

I am an environmental artist working exclusively in the ancient
water-based Japanese art of moku hanga — woodblock print.

This medium gives me subtleties of color and tone unavailable in other mediums. 

The spiritual connection that I find in the creation of the print is extremely important to me. The process is quiet, calming and meditative. Carving individual wood blocks for each color in the
print, isolated profiles are separated and then joined again. This exploration of forms within a space creates a deeper, intimate encounter with nature. The emotional, physical and spiritual energy I use to create a print somehow becomes embedded within it to reveal the heart and spirit of a location.

Primarily showing wilderness landscapes and waterscapes, and, having the four seasons of imagery at my disposal, it is a joy to showcase the beauty, diverse ecology, geography and healing value of our world through my prints. 

I am taking you to a destination, a secret place that you can experience and will want to know personally. Creating a sense of stillness and peace and shelter…the journey awakens you to the vulnerability of our natural spaces. The significance of protection is stimulated.

The rarely noticed or hidden becomes elevated to the sacred.