Our engraved art starts with a drawing or a photograph. I selected the source materials for these early pieces based solely on something in them that caught my eye; something that I could visualize in a finished engraving. This was an exercise in discovering the process.
Each of these artworks is made from a vector file, an exact image of what is engraved on the surface of the stone. I created these files using a combination of drawing software on an iPad and laptop computer. Image tracing on the tablet allows me to quickly compose the vector drawing, then it is refined on the computer and exported as the file that is read by the engraver. This step is where I get to express creativity and imagination. More of my engraved art found here.
Crane
Phase 1
 Ink sketchbook drawing of a crane in a nearby swamp.
Phase 2
The vector graphic used for engraving.
Phase 3
Crane 18” x 36” engraved travertine tiles, grouted then crane figure hand-etched. 2015
Consider The Lillies
Phase 1
These yellow lilies grew abundantly in our yard. A perfect description of them is in Matthew 6:28 and Luke 12:27.
Phase 2
The vector graphic used for engraving.
Phase 3
Engraved on three pieces of limestone tile, hand painted.
I was captivated not only by the statue’s sculptural qualities but by its age and the distance it had traveled over the centuries.
Phase 3
I found a piece of limestone that fit perfectly with the design. The material and composition combined to evoke a sense of age.
Fireworks
Phase 1
This is a drawing I always liked and thought it would work as an engraved piece. It reminds me of fireworks.
Phase 2
The objective in this engraving was to give a sense of depth by varying of the weight of the outlines.
Phase 3
Nine pieces of 12×12 polished marble comprise this engraving. Hand painted with gold paint.
Lake Charlotte
Phase 1
I made this sketch at Lake Charlotte, Long Prairie, MN.
Phase 2
To clarify depth I added details to the foreground.
Phase 3
We engraved this image on 8 12×12 polished marble tiles then painted it in black.
Underside – Monarch Butterfly
Phase 1
I found this butterfly in our yard just after it died. It was in perfect condition, laid out flat and symmetrical. I wanted to create something to reflect its beauty.
Phase 2
I imported the photograph into a vector drawing app on my iPad and painstakingly traced it to render the image above. Tracing the head, body and legs presented a challenge in getting lighting and magnification just right on subsequent detail photos.
Phase 3
Artwork engraved on 18 12×12 honed green granite tiles. Then the lines were painted – some in black and some in gold. The larger dark areas were stained with color enhancing sealer.
Twirl
Painting details
More painting on white marble
On display
Twirl 48″ x 60″ engraved marble tiles, 2017. Displayed at Great River Arts, Little Falls, Minnesota
