Imposter syndrome is real and this past week I really struggled with it. I signed myself up for some professional development at Zea Mays Print Making in western Mass. The workshop was call something like Woodcut Masters Workshop. I had a moment of like, “Damn right, I’m a master at this.” then as the day to leave approached I was hit with waves of like, “No I’m not.”

When I arrived I was hit with, “Yeah, nope.” Then, “Well, maaaaybe?”

In the end working with the instructor and the other women I was able to break through that wall of feeling like an imposter and latch onto the idea that I actually really love wood cut. I have some great techniques to share that will work with a “real” press or with a craft press or other way of printing but also by hand. Very interesting stuff for sure.

One of my goals for this workshop was to tighten up my woodcut skills, learn more about nontoxic clean up, experiment with transparent colors and layers, and bring back some of these ideas for working with kids.

I left with some beautiful prints, loads of ideas, and a community of printmaking women.

I had hopes of doing more documentation of my week but holy hell, I always forget how deeply physical wood cut and printmaking is in general. I left the studio bone tired* and by the time I returned to my campsite each night I took a swim and then fell into my tent and passed out.**

I’m still processing everything and I suspect that I’ll be thinking deeply about everything for weeks if not months.

*night one and 2 were made difficult to sleep due to a family in the camping spot next to me practicing “cry it out” with their under 1 year old. It was not pleasant for anyone, I’m sure not for the child either.

**I was doubly stressed out because our “new” car was having issues and on the morning of day 3 in Western Mass I decided to just call AAA and have them check the battery. If it wasn’t the battery I needed to know and have them tow it to the dealer, if it was the battery I was going to have them replace it then and there. It WAS the battery and though I was almost $300 poorer I was ricker in relaxation and safety. I am going to have it out with the dealership on Monday. That is a post for somewhere else. When this is all over I’m reviving my Yelp account to leave a review of this place. I have a lot to say.