Jack McCarthy
Limited edition hand pulled relief prints
Santa Fe New Mexico

I am basically a story-teller who uses prints as my vocabulary.  My approach to printmaking is eclectic. On one hand, I use traditional relief printing methods either a baren or a 1947 Vandercook Press, named Ursula. On the other hand, I experiment using brayers, stencils, natural and found objects, anything that has texture. 

My work is influenced by life experience and, most importantly, my constant amazement of what human beings believe in and how they choose to live their lives! 

Many of my prints are allegorical in nature and almost all are visual stories.  I am presently working on a variety of projects: 

One is a series of relief prints based on medieval stories, both secular and religious.  One edition is comprised of prints depicting religious beliefs and stories of 8^th to 14^th century Europe, what is normally but erroneously called The Dark Ages and/or the Gothic Period.  The stories are delightful and, at times, gruesome.  Many are Christian stories based on non-Christian (pagan) myths. 

The second project is a small edition of handmade books with original prints based on the Old Testament. The first is that of the story of Jonah.  "JONAH REDUX - The Book of Jonah According to Jack".  Jonah is a limited edition hand made book of 50 copies.  The size of the book is 11" x 17". The paper is Zerkall book vellum, the font is Simeon as Regular (a German font), the cloth book covers and the slipcases are done by Roswell Publishing Company in Phoenx, AZ. This is a limited edition of 50. 

The second book called "Uncovered" is a book of 18 nudes, all linoleum prints, with beautifully embossed 9" x 12" covers, a limited edition of 30.

The third book in production is titled "Abram, the Story of Abraham According to Jack".

The next book will be a pictorial depiction of the life and times of the famous Brazilian bandit, Lampiao and his girlfriend, Maria Bonita.  A vicious foe of the Brazilian government, loved by the peasants, and, to this day, still held as a folk hero in northeast Brazil. 

Finally, a two new series: One based on "Cowboy Stuff" such as boots, spurs, saddles, chaps, etc. and the second will be on Southwestern Architecture. 

All of my work tends to be in your face wrought with intrigue, whimsy and irony.  It is important that you take time as you view my work as there is more to be seen than meets the eye. 

In addition to my very tight and traditional relief prints, I also work with monoprints.  While traditional prints are done in editions (multiples of the same print - all exactly alike), a monoprint is just that - one of a kind. My monoprinting is very distinct, spontaneous and usually based around specific themes. Even though each is unique - they often share common elements with each other.  My monoprints tend to be identifiable by the strong use of colors, textures and are usually executed on handmade, archival, acid-free papers. 

I have exhibited throughout the United States. My prints are in collections in the United States as well as in Brazil, France, Netherlands, Japan and South Africa. 

I am one of the founding members of both the New Mexico Printmakers Society as well as the New Mexico Printmakers Gallery located Santa Fe, New Mexico.   Currently, I am employed as Deputy Director of the Palace of the Governors and the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I am currently showing in a Santa Fe Gallery "Works on Paper", JHS Gallery in Taos, NM and the Cholke Gallery in Rockford, IL. My prints can also be seen in the Museum of New Mexico Foundations Shops in Santa Fe, NM under NewMexico Creates.com.